If you’ve watched the news, read a paper, or tried to watch network television last night, you have been exposed to the “pig flu” scare. When the President interrupts The New Adventures of Old Christine, there’s a major issue. Turns out the pigs have begun trying to take over the world. There is a story in Matthew 8 where Jesus casts demons into a herd of swine (Matt. 8:31), and those pigs jumped off a cliff and drowned in the sea. Apparently, Jesus knew these pigs were up to no good and did away with them quickly, despite their very tasty bacon backsides. Maybe we should have asked, What would Jesus do? concerning pigs sooner. As always, Jesus has the answer. Our only option is to drown all the pigs on the planet and move on with our lives. It will be tough, but turkey bacon will have to do.

Now on a serious note, this is no laughing matter, and while I joke about the name, we are seriously praying for every family affected by this tragedy. This article is to help answer the question, What can church leaders and pastors do to protect their flocks from the pig flu?

What Is Swine Flu?

The CDC reports the “swine flu” is a new strain of influenza virus of swine origin. Because it is a new strain most people do not have immunity to the “pig flu,” and it is spreading quickly. Even though the name suggests pigs just got really dangerous, the danger of infection doesn’t come from petting pigs, eating pork, or playing football. Like other influenza strains, it is spread through person-to-person contact. The virus spreads through tiny particles released in a cough or a sneeze.

This has caused the World Health Organization to say that “a swine flu pandemic is imminent.” As of Wednesday night, the threat level for pandemic health crisis was at a 5 on a scale of 1 to 6 (6 being a pandemic). In response, the Ft. Worth Independent School District (one of the largest school districts in Texas) has closed all its 144 schools (over 80,000 students) at least through May 8, 2009. The CDC is encouraging other public organizations to close for a season, so how should we respond as church leaders?

Protect Your People

My suggestion is that you take this unique opportunity to serve your people well and protect them. As pastors we fight to protect our people spiritually, emotionally, and socially, and now you have the opportunity and responsibility to protect them physically. If you have no reported issues in your city or your church body, then you should meet, but take quality precautions.

Here are the precautionary measures our church is taking:

• editors note:The most effective thing to do is tell sick people to stay at home.
• All volunteers and children will wear facemasks in the classrooms to minimize the spread of germs and infectious bacteria. They will be specially decorated and their use will be incorporated into the lesson content so as not to scare children. Please talk to your child beforehand about the masks to minimize any fear and communicate their importance.
• Toys have been removed from most classrooms and remaining equipment and materials thoroughly sanitized according to guidelines set forth by the CDC and WHO, in addition to our regular practice of sanitizing all toys and equipment between services.
• Check-in and checkout procedures will change to limit the number of people in the small hallways of the children’s area. Parents will now drop off and pick up at the entrance to the children’s area instead of at their child’s specific classroom. Staff and deacons will walk the children to and from their classrooms.
• We will cut out our weekly greeting during our services to cut down on person-to-person contact.
• We are asking that everyone in attendance take every precaution possible to cut down on the spread of germs, including regularly washing your hands and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• We will be offering individually wrapped options for breakfast as a substitute for donuts.

Our hope is that your people will continue to faithfully worship together, no matter the circumstance, and that they would feel their pastors and leaders are doing everything they can to love them and serve them well.