“… $67,000 worth of citation fines issued against them by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal OSHA) during the COVID-19 pandemic.pandemic…. The church continues its fight against another $1.2 million in fines by the county.” - MinistryWatch
Arbor Research Group-ChurchSalary Study: Pandemic Restrictions Had No Lasting Effect on Churches
“Measuring attendance, giving, staff levels, and several other metrics in 2022, he found that after all the regulations had been lifted …there was little to no discernible difference between churches where there had been lots of restrictions and those where there had been almost none.” - CToday
John MacArthur Made ‘The Essential Church’ To Make Some Pastors ‘Feel Guilty’
“During a screening of the film, MacArthur told attendees that he wanted to produce something that ‘would show how the Lord blesses those who are faithful for the purpose of the future.’ He also ‘wanted some pastors and leaders to see this and feel guilty.’” - C.Leaders
Post-COVID Perspective: Religious liberty affirmed by courts during pandemic
“The courts eventually got those cases right, and the First Amendment did its job.” - BPNews
Pew: Key findings about COVID-19 restrictions that affected religious groups around the world in 2020
“Religious groups criticized government-mandated public health measures in 54 countries (27% of all analyzed), often stating the rules were a violation of religious freedom.” - Pew
John MacArthur, James White, et al release Frankfurt Declaration on government abuse of power
“The 2,000-word document has received signatures so far from notable figures including John MacArthur, Tom Buck, Voddie Baucham, Phil Johnson, James Coates, and James White.” - C.Leaders
California church won't have to pay $200K in fines for violating COVID-19 pandemic restrictions
“A three-judge panel on California’s 6th District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Calvary Chapel San Jose on Monday, reversing lower court decisions against the church for holding large, in-person worship services in violation of restrictions” - CPost
John MacArthur’s Church to Produce Feature Length Documentary About Fighting Pandemic Health Restrictions
From the synopsis: “When Grace Community Church faces state orders to shut down indefinitely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they realize the state’s attempt to replace Jesus Christ as the head of the Church” - C.Leaders
“Can we live out under these regimes a spirit of submission...?”
“The Lord’s suffering is our example, not that we should follow the exact same kind of sufferings as he did (i.e. we aren’t called to literally die on a cross), but that we should follow his manner in our own sufferings” - Don Johnson
Supreme Court of Louisiana will hear Pastor Tony Spell’s case for violating COVID-19 restrictions
“The Supreme Court of Louisiana announced Tuesday that it will hear a case on whether criminal charges should remain against controversial Pastor Tony Spell for violating Gov. John Bel Edwards’ order against gatherings of more than 50 people during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.” - CPost