As the Ebola virus ravages communities in West Africa, religious centers in the region have made changes to their worship practices. Heeding reports that the virus is spread by bodily fluids, some churches are no longer placing the communion bread directly into parishioners' mouths. Others are asking members to refrain from shaking hands as a ceremonial sign of peace.

It might be too early for those kinds of precautions in America as there have been only three confirmed cases on U.S. soil. However, many Americans are becoming increasingly nervous about Ebola.

Ebola is a major health crisis that's primarily localized in West Africa. We are addressing the situation in Africa in various ways and we hold all those affected in our prayers. In the U.S., we understand that people are concerned because of the cases that have occurred in Texas. We urge churches to follow the guidance of public health officials and should a more specific response for churches be warranted, we will address it at that time.

Every day, each of us faces decisions about whether to exclude or include, whether to remove ourselves from other people or to draw closer to other people. How we make those decisions often turns on how we have been taught … The lesson we all need to learn now is another biblical teaching: We are, in fact, our brother's keeper.