Dear Church on Main Friends and Family,
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LAST MINUTE COMMUNICATION ON THIS - BUT THE ISSUE JUST AROSE
INYO COUNTY (and State) issued this directive yesterday. I did not see it until this morning. After reading this, and watching Newsome's updated directives today, we have decided to CANCEL THE BBQ (see below).
PLEASE NOTE THAT NONE OF THE CURRENT DIRECTIVES AFFECT OUR CHURCH IN THE PARK SERVICES.
County Directive: "4th of July Reminder: At this time gatherings of any size with individuals outside of your household are not permissible under California’s Stay at Home Order. All picnics and barbeques are to include only household members and should take place at home or close to home. The fireworks shows in Bishop and Independence for 2020 will be modified to be “Stay at Home Shows.” This means that no central viewing areas will be provided or available. Instead the public is encouraged to enjoy the 2020 fireworks shows with household members from their yards."
As a result ...
• WE WILL CANCEL THE BBQ FOR THIS YEAR AND HONOR THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AT CHURCH IN THE PARK, SUNDAY
• I believe that, regardless of our individual feelings about the necessity of this ban, we are called to take and model a Biblical response to our government's directives. This ban is in no way directed specifically at churches, therefore there's no basis for consciously rebelling against it. The Bible does not condone believers picking and choosing what government directives we obey based on our opinion of their appropriateness - or the motives behind them. Only when they go against conscience on clear Biblical issues.
•1 Peter 2:13-15 - "13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—"
• I also believe we have a responsibility, as a church, not to encourage others to do something that may be against their legitimate convictions. i.e. asking people to do something that is clearly 'illegal' just for the sake of our desires or enjoyment.
• See Romans 14:13-15ff
I would ask that you please help us by letting others in your circle know of this change. Thanks.
Have a great 4th - and I'll see you (or be seen by you online) Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor John
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LAST MINUTE COMMUNICATION ON THIS - BUT THE ISSUE JUST AROSE
INYO COUNTY (and State) issued this directive yesterday. I did not see it until this morning. After reading this, and watching Newsome's updated directives today, we have decided to CANCEL THE BBQ (see below).
PLEASE NOTE THAT NONE OF THE CURRENT DIRECTIVES AFFECT OUR CHURCH IN THE PARK SERVICES.
County Directive: "4th of July Reminder: At this time gatherings of any size with individuals outside of your household are not permissible under California’s Stay at Home Order. All picnics and barbeques are to include only household members and should take place at home or close to home. The fireworks shows in Bishop and Independence for 2020 will be modified to be “Stay at Home Shows.” This means that no central viewing areas will be provided or available. Instead the public is encouraged to enjoy the 2020 fireworks shows with household members from their yards."
As a result ...
• WE WILL CANCEL THE BBQ FOR THIS YEAR AND HONOR THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AT CHURCH IN THE PARK, SUNDAY
• I believe that, regardless of our individual feelings about the necessity of this ban, we are called to take and model a Biblical response to our government's directives. This ban is in no way directed specifically at churches, therefore there's no basis for consciously rebelling against it. The Bible does not condone believers picking and choosing what government directives we obey based on our opinion of their appropriateness - or the motives behind them. Only when they go against conscience on clear Biblical issues.
•1 Peter 2:13-15 - "13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—"
• I also believe we have a responsibility, as a church, not to encourage others to do something that may be against their legitimate convictions. i.e. asking people to do something that is clearly 'illegal' just for the sake of our desires or enjoyment.
• See Romans 14:13-15ff
I would ask that you please help us by letting others in your circle know of this change. Thanks.
Have a great 4th - and I'll see you (or be seen by you online) Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor John
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FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE MORE PERSPECTIVE, HERE'S SOME FURTHER THOUGHTS ...
REGARDING THE IDEA THAT WE SHOULD JUST IGNORE THE GUIDELINES OF THE GOVERNMENT
I may, or may not, agree with the reasonableness or motives of decisions our government is making. But the Bible does not tell me to obey only those I agree with. I believe it’s a fundamental issue of submission to authority - obeying when we do not agree - otherwise it’s not submission. You and I must make decisions when we are in positions of authority - we pray that they are the right decisions and we depend on the support of others whether or not they personally agree.
In our democratic society, we have freedom to ‘push back’, voice our disagreement, and take actions to change decisions. We should take advantage of those options according to our convictions. But the democratic system is not a specifically Biblically mandated form of government. I think it’s the best yet that mankind has devised, but it’s not sacred. Our ultimate allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, of which we are citizens - Phil. 3:20. So our King comes first, but our King has directed us to demonstrate our faith in His Sovereignty by obeying the directives of our rulers - pagan or not. Of course there comes a time when we declare that we must obey God rather than men - I have just not seen anything in the current situation that rises even close to that. Especially if we’re thinking of our faith from a global and historical perspective.
I guess I should add that I have a personal conviction that I should not make decisions on fear of what might happen - but rather in response to what is actually happening. In Sacramento I lost a few really good families because they were caught up in the conflict over Charter Schools as opposed to Independent Home Schooling. The argument was that if homeschoolers went with Charter Schools they would eventually be forced by the government to stop using Christian content in their schooling. That was a fear of what might happen and I refused to support that view because of fear. It’s over 3 decades since then, and those fears never came to pass. Not that I don’t think there are forces that want to stop homeschooling - especially because it allows for Christian and other independent thinkers to flourish. But I believe acting out of fear plays into the Devil’s hand and distracts us from where I focus needs to be. Those families left the church because of something that never happened.
For me, the only legitimate push back and cause for considering civil disobedience (for churches in the current season) has been when stricter requirements have been placed on churches than have been placed on other - similar - venues (concerts or large public meetings). Not when we just don’t see or agree with the rationale behind our leaders’ decisions.
FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE MORE PERSPECTIVE, HERE'S SOME FURTHER THOUGHTS ...
REGARDING THE IDEA THAT WE SHOULD JUST IGNORE THE GUIDELINES OF THE GOVERNMENT
I may, or may not, agree with the reasonableness or motives of decisions our government is making. But the Bible does not tell me to obey only those I agree with. I believe it’s a fundamental issue of submission to authority - obeying when we do not agree - otherwise it’s not submission. You and I must make decisions when we are in positions of authority - we pray that they are the right decisions and we depend on the support of others whether or not they personally agree.
In our democratic society, we have freedom to ‘push back’, voice our disagreement, and take actions to change decisions. We should take advantage of those options according to our convictions. But the democratic system is not a specifically Biblically mandated form of government. I think it’s the best yet that mankind has devised, but it’s not sacred. Our ultimate allegiance is to the Kingdom of God, of which we are citizens - Phil. 3:20. So our King comes first, but our King has directed us to demonstrate our faith in His Sovereignty by obeying the directives of our rulers - pagan or not. Of course there comes a time when we declare that we must obey God rather than men - I have just not seen anything in the current situation that rises even close to that. Especially if we’re thinking of our faith from a global and historical perspective.
I guess I should add that I have a personal conviction that I should not make decisions on fear of what might happen - but rather in response to what is actually happening. In Sacramento I lost a few really good families because they were caught up in the conflict over Charter Schools as opposed to Independent Home Schooling. The argument was that if homeschoolers went with Charter Schools they would eventually be forced by the government to stop using Christian content in their schooling. That was a fear of what might happen and I refused to support that view because of fear. It’s over 3 decades since then, and those fears never came to pass. Not that I don’t think there are forces that want to stop homeschooling - especially because it allows for Christian and other independent thinkers to flourish. But I believe acting out of fear plays into the Devil’s hand and distracts us from where I focus needs to be. Those families left the church because of something that never happened.
For me, the only legitimate push back and cause for considering civil disobedience (for churches in the current season) has been when stricter requirements have been placed on churches than have been placed on other - similar - venues (concerts or large public meetings). Not when we just don’t see or agree with the rationale behind our leaders’ decisions.