From the Aug 23 AM Service

Just listened to the first 12 minutes.

in San Francisco churches can’t even meet outside in groups larger than 12…

[Rob Fall]

If so has anyone watched it? The pertinent part is in the first 10 minutes of the service.

I have the highest regard for Hamilton Square and Dr Innes!

These are indeed difficult times. It will take great wisdom to navigate through COVID.

We have it EZ in Minnesota b/c we can meet in groups of up to 250 with appropriate social distancing and masks. Churches local to me like 4th and New Hope E.Free are doing a super job navigating these tough times.

Here is a video from Jack Trieber from North Valley Baptist Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBF_hB47KlM

A interview with MacArthur from 8/25: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JReVkbzhsfE&fbclid=IwAR2MDlkOlG461IJ494…

I’ll offer my opinion:

• In the video he stated that “the government seems to be insisting that there is going to be a shutdown of churches almost perpetually”. This seems to me to be quite an exaggeration. Once we are on the other side of the pandemic, churches will be allowed to resume as normal.
• In the video he used scripture to try to frame the situation as a spiritual battle, a battle between good and evil that requires courage and boldness. That is not what is going on here.The restrictions have nothing to do with targeting worship. They have to do with minimizing COVID. Church gatherings as well as gatherings of all other types happen to be caught up in the restrictions because it’s necessary to control the virus spread. If this is a spiritual battle for churches, then it must also be a spiritual battle for all the other businesses/venues/events that are being impacted by the same restrictions.
• Churches are not being singled out in California. Not even in San Francisco where they are limited to 12 people. There may be some isolated cases throughout the country where this has happened, but it’s certainly not widespread.
• Even if churches are singled out, why does that mean they can defy the orders? Churches are allowed to gather with restrictions. It’s not easy or optimal, but continue to gather while abiding by the restrictions. For what it’s worth, a pastor friend in San Diego is following the guidelines and meeting outdoors. He is finding all kinds of new ministry opportunities due to people hearing the service who never would have come to the church building.
• If churches feel their legal rights are being infringed, take it to the courts. But abide by the restrictions until the courts give a ruling. Even if the restrictions were gone, I think what Macarthur has done by filling his megachurch with people who are not wearing masks and not distancing is incredibly foolish, especially when California is one of the current hotspots.
• As far as God’s command to gather, I don’t think God is any more upset with churches restricting worship during a pandemic than he is with an individual staying home from church because he has the flu.
• Regarding the churches in California who are defying the restrictions, I think it’s wrong. Possibly sinfully wrong, but I’ll stop short of going that far. I’ve been embarrassed by the behavior and attitudes I’ve seen from many churches Christians during this pandemic.

If I started a BLM protest in California right now, would the government shut me down saying more than 12 people were present?
Both actions have explicit First Amendment protections.

The answer is NO by the way. That is the bias.

The COVID-19 response from Trinity BIble Church (TGC affiliated)

I thought this was very well done and found encouragement in it. Link is to their .pdf response.

It’s interesting to compare the response of non-fundamentalist churches regarding this crisis to the fundamentalist ones. It seems that the fundamentalist response exudes more fear and paranoia and angst of what is not being permitted. The conservative evangelical churches have seemed to stress perseverance and patience through this time and taking joy in the ministries and opportunities that can still be performed.

I’m still working out in my mind whether this is a cup half full / half empty situation or if the tenor of the different responses reflect completely different philosophical approaches.