Africa-Press – Lesotho. The global outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) has called for unusual options not only in workplaces but also in places of worship. First diagnosed in Wuhan province of China, Coronavirus
has surged throughout the world and has made it now a challenge for gatherings as it spreads at an alarming rate. The gatherings of people in large numbers
have been banned to counter the virus attack rates as such assemblies are feared to pose threat to public health. Technology has on the other hand become the
common factor which has simplified and enabled some operations to continue. One of the faith leaders who spoke to Informative Newspaper said the Covid-19 protocols including lockdowns have brought
challenges in the churches. Prophet Angel Raphael of Pillar of Fire in Maputsoe said his congregants are confronted by “fear of what’s next. ” He urged the christian
community to do away with “panic and fear” citing biblical scriptures of Deuteronomy 31:6 and Isaiah 43:2 which talk about courage and resilience respectively.
The Maputsoe based prophet described his congregation as different in what he said is the “maturity level” saying some are at an advanced stage while others are in the beginning stages.
He gave an anecdotal example of their ability to pray independently saying some it is still a challenge for them to pray for themselves. Raphael said people with weakling faith need
to be “nurtured” adding that they need “tender care” like babies. He expressed fear over what he said part of his congregation might “backslide. ” He urged the christians to remain unshaken
during this prevailing pandemic era. “God is with us even in this situation,” he said. Asked how his church counters the challenges posed by the pandemic, he said they hold virtual services.
He however hastened to point out that very few church members have access to those, saying sometimes only three people will be watching online out of plus or minus 100 congregants.
The prophet said another challenge facing them is when they have to counsel their members over the phone. While they make breakthroughs reaching people remotely, he said some require the physical
presence of the preacher. Also, he said his led church is faced with the challenge of conducting deliverance sessions (a practice in some churches where
people believed to be possessed by the evil spirits are prayed for to exorcise such spirits). This exercise he said should be done physically as he argues that over the phone is a challenge.
The government had previously capped the number of church attendants at 50 while presently gatherings have been barred, a move said to counter the spread of the virus.
Pastor Mpholo Tlhoeli of Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Mohalalitoe Maseru said the Covid-19 era has affected the church “negatively. ” He continued to say the church is part of the community
and it has support staff whose salaries are paid from the church’s coffers. Pastor Tlhoeli said the church’s income comes from the congregants and if they are retrenched he said that affects their
financial contribution to the church. The AFM pastor said their church’s charitable works have been offset due to prevailing circumstances. He said they were to launch the poverty
reduction programme aimed at capacitating elderly people with technical skills to produce and sell their produce. Tlhoeli said the church sponsored orphanage is
also feeling the pinch as it is becoming a challenge for the church to maintain it. Asked how it is surviving, he said there are “external arms” which are sending contributions to keep it afloat.
“Some of the children are dependent on church
[for survival]
,” he said. Meanwhile, on March 16 Christian Council of Lesotho (CCL), a local ecumenical body, issued a statement saying, “while not
interfering with each church’s administration, CCL urges the churches to align themselves with the preventive measures against the spread of this [Coronavirus] pandemic….
” Also, on March 20 and April 17 this christian churches body issued subsequent statements where they urged the nation to take
precautionary measures against the Covid-19 disease. In the latter statement, the organization said its members had postponed events which attract high volume gatherings such as Easter services in what they said was a measure meant to curb the spread of the virus.
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