Uncle Harvest on COVID19 LESSONS FROM JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

When the Malawi government declared the first lock down in 2020 many faith groups expressed concerns and complaints about the restrictions pronounced on gathering of faith groups.

There was one group that never said anything, the Jehovah's Witnesses.

They however completely closed down their Kingdom Halls to any meetings.

Instead, they started a TV and radio Sunday Service at 4 pm.

Their faithful gather in front of TV screens or radio at this times in their family homes.

A year later, they have not yet opened their Kingdom Halls for gathering.

In South Africa, the Zion Christian Church( ZCC), an indigenous church known for its annual Christian gathering over 4 million people at its Headquarters in Moreya and one of the largest churches took a similar decision.

For over a year now, ZCC adherents have closed to gathering in the light of the pandemic.

They however remain visible in their ZCC badges on mental that overlays a dark green cloth whenever they are in public wearing masks.

The Jehovah's Witnesses and the Zion Christian Church have gone out to prove that it is possible to lock down, isolate, wash hands/ sanitize and masks for an extended period of time and yet remain a coherent family of believers.

What is it that as faith groups that they have been doing pre-covid 19 that has made them remain coherent groups, still strong and committed to their faith for over a year that other faith groups can learn from?

With the threats of a possibility of a third wave as shown in some countries, what can other faith groups learn from them.

This is critical, more so, in the light of the loss several faith groups experienced during the second wave.