It's Good Friday and I'm in Lismore, NSW for a family event. I had hoped to go to a Good Friday service at the local Anglican church, but ended up at a family get-together instead. Of many things that I had been looking forward to at the service, singing hymns was high on the list. But apparently the current COVID-19 restrictions forbid singing.
Non-residential premises
These rules apply to a wide range of premises. Examples include cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, nightclubs, shops, cinemas or places of worship.
Entry to non-residential premises is not permitted unless there is at least
- 4 square metres of space for each person in the indoor area and
- 2 square metres of space for each person in the outdoor area.
In the indoor areas of the premises:
- people must be seated to drink alcohol
- dancing is not allowed
- singing is not allowed.
It got me wondering: How important is singing compared to all the other things one does in a gathering of Christians? Sure, singing worships and glorifies God. Singing encourages the singer and the hearer. Singing at the very least has significant health benefits. But it's not mandatory.
If singing has to stop for a season, I think I can bear that. I certainly want to sing. It's a profoundly sad thing when a Christian is able to sing but lacks the desire to do so.
No, the absolute minimum for a church service, as far as I can see at the moment, is Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
If I was going to risk a fine or gaol time, it'd be when the government starts making that impossible. The Chinese government is currently doing that to its Christians, even rewriting the Bible and demanding that the rewritten version be taught. Australians aren't there ... yet.
Until then, being caught singing when the government says not to only feeds the narrative that Christians are not a blessing to society, but a blight: they can't deny themselves for the good of all. So I'll go to the 7:30am service on Resurrection Sunday, pay attention to the apostles' teaching, enjoy fellowship, break bread in Communion and pray. Oh, and make music in my heart to the Lord.
