Executive Order 20-81 & Gatherings at FBC
We have all been experiencing the beginning of the ramifications of our Governor's new emergency order requiring a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses. Here is a link to the actual executive order:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/facecover.html
We have also been provided direction with regard to our gathering together for worship. Here is a link to that document:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/safefaith.pdf
What does this executive order mean on a practical level for First Baptist Church in regards to our services?
We willingly submit to the executive order. The issue for us is not agreement with the directive nor the reasons or research given for the order but rather the clear command from Scripture which calls us to obey our governmental leaders when their requirements do not violate the commands of our God. We desire to live at peace with all men so that we might be able to turn all eyes toward our glorious Savior. Our current context is simply another opportunity to cause others to see how brightly our Savior shines. Therefore we are asking everyone to wear a face covering when you come to worship.
According to the guidance provided in the links above, there are options for individuals and organizations to exercise in regards to face covernings when we gather. We believe that the language of the document has been intentionally crafted to reflect a distinction between what is mandated and what is recommended. Obviously that which is recommended does not carry the same weight as that which is mandated, although we also ought to seriously consider that which has reached the level of recommendation.
With regard to the person leading the service, it is clear that the leader is not called upon to wear a mask when speaking.
With regard to singing, it is clear that there is a recommendation to avoid singing or adjust singing because it is deemed to be an activity that is of higher risk. Here is a portion which speaks to this issue:
Singing or chanting is a higher-risk activity as it more forcefully expels respiratory droplets than speaking. The act of singing or chanting may contribute to transmission of COVID-19, possibly through emission of aerosols. It is recommended that congregations offer pre-recorded music/chants or have only one cantor at a distance of at least 12 feet from anyone else, while wearing a face covering.
We recognize that singing is prescribed by Scripture as a regular part of a worship. Further, we believe strongly that the congregation itself engaging in the act of singing is part of our active corporate worship. We also recognize that singing with a face covering is quite troublesome; therefore, for those who are comfortable doing so, lowering your face covering to sing would be appropriate.
With regard to those who should not wear masks for health reasons, please pay attention to the many exclusions discussed in the executive order itself.
With regard to fellowship, the directive does allow for a removal of face coverings in outdoor settings which could be a great alternative after the service.
With regard to policing or enforcing the executive order, our desire is to lay out the direction we intend to follow as a church, but we are not looking to be enforcers. In fact the order itself calls upon organizations to leave that work to designated public officials.
Is there a time when we should not willingly submit to the executive orders of our government?
All authority is derivative. That is, all authority, even the authority of a government, comes from God Himself who alone is Sovereign. Therefore, whenever an authority does not call upon us to violate a command of God, then we are called to respect the authority God has established. When an authority commands us to do that which God forbids or prevents us from doing that which God commands, then we must obey God as our higher authority. The Bible is not concerned with maintaining freedom as much as it is about maintaining morality. Scripture says that we must engage in civil disobedience when righteousness is at stake, not merely freedom.
As citizens of a democracy in the most free country in the world, there is room for us as individuals to advocate for freedom and work to maintain (and even expand) those freedoms if we so desire. Clearly though, that is not the primary concern of the church at large. Jesus did not die and establish the church to further freedom in governmental structures but rather to provide freedom from sin. The Church is about the Gospel, not about the government.
What are our concerns and encouragements as pastors?
We are concerned about unity. In any healthy group there needs to be room for discussion and disagreement. In fact, healthy groups encourage such discussion and work to promote and preserve the same. The question of unity is not one of uniformity or entire agreement but rather agreement on the first or the priority truths. For us, we must be certain as a church that the Gospel forms the basis of our unity. Our unity as a church is certainly defined by the Gospel; but as a local church it is delineated for us even more clearly, since it also reaches into our mutual understanding of every major doctrine of Scripture. These are defined in our Statement of Faith. We even have agreement on a general code of conduct which is our Commitment. Our concern is that a disagreement regarding a very minor point of conduct that is very time and situationally bound might unintentionally rise to an inappropriate level in our own minds. Here is a truth we all recognize: Scripture identifies that we have one external enemy called Satan and his angels; We have one corrupting influence identified as the world; We have one internal enemy called our sin nature. Satan would love to set the church against itself in a false war over things that will not matter in eternity. We must be careful that we do not get pulled into lines of conflict that pit us against each other. Let us continue to be committed to unity in these trying times.
We are concerned about perspective. We have not suffered much here in America, and when we do experience even a small amount of suffering, it seems out of bounds. Perhaps Covid19 is preparing us for much greater suffering for the cause of Christ. If that is the case, may our response be that of the apostles when they rejoiced at being counted worthy to suffer for His name. Let us then continue to be faithful, demonstrating long-lasting obedience in the same direction despite adversity. So far, if believers have been singled out, it has been marginal. People all over the world are dealing with greater restrictions than we have seen in the US, and many states are more restricted than we are in MN. Maintaining a proper perspective will allow for us to prioritize our assembly together in a corporate manner despite challenges to do so.
We are concerned about overreach by our government. It is no surprise to a believer that governments of this world will fail to operate in a manner that is consistent with Biblical principles and with the best interest of each of its subjects. Perhaps it is only a surprise to us because our government has allowed us so much freedom. May we continue to pray that the freedoms we enjoy so much continue even while knowing that our true citizenship is in heaven.
We are concerned about the spiritual health of each of those entrusted to our care. Christ called believers to establish churches in order for us to rely upon each other and to help each other grow in our relationship with our heavenly Father. We need each other in order to grow properly. Discipleship is a group endeavor.
We are concerned about loving each other. There are some in our congregation who feel strongly that wearing a mask is a violation of their freedoms, and they reject the claim of our government that they are doing so out of a concern for safety. There are also some in our congregation who feel strongly that wearing a mask is a good standard given the chance of unintentional spreading of the coronavirus. There are also many who fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum. The question that we have been asking and that each of us needs to continue to ask is this: regardless of a person's position, how can I show them the love of Jesus? What concerns do they have which I can alleviate? How can my response to them calm their fears and strengthen their trust in our God? May God help each of us to keep loving one another earnestly.
We are concerned about our witness. Our Savior showed us how to take opportunities and turn the hearts and minds of others toward things of eternal value. Like Paul, our concern must be that we do not place any obstacle in the way of the Gospel of Christ. As ambassadors of God, it is our joy to reconcile people to God. May we be more concerned about our love for others and the spread of the gospel than any fears about our present circumstances.
May God give us grace to live out our mutual commitment we have made to one another .
General Service Gathering Information
We are grateful for the opportunity to meet together on Sunday Mornings. The current guidance from Governor Walz has lift restrictions raising the attendance limit to 50% of maximum occupancy or 250 maximum attendees while maintaining social distancing. As we have discovered, our gym holds quite a few people, so 50% of its maximum occupancy is approximately 300 people. 50% of our auditorium is only approximately 140 people. Therefore our leadership has determined for us to shift to one service to be held in the gym.
For the time being, we will hold one service in our gymnasium and through our LiveStream beginning at 10:15.
We have resumed our Wednesday evening activities. Adults meet at 7:00 in the auditorium for prayer and Bible study. The children K-6th meet with Pastor Bernie outdoors at the soccer field at 7:00 for a children’s program for kids K-6th. The teens meet at Community Park at 6:30pm.
Guidelines:
We are asking each person to assess both their personal risk as well as their risk to others and decide whether to attend a service in person.
If you are ill or have had symptoms (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) in the last 14 days please stay home.
If you are in a high-risk category (elderly or have underlying health issues) please consider staying home.
Refrain from physical contact or touching surfaces.
Sit as a family unit and stay together as a unit even during the fellowship time. No nursery will be provided and we are asking that children stay with their parents at all times. We want to encourage families to come, we are a diverse congregation and we love and appreciate our children.
Please allow ushers to direct your family unit where to sit.
Please stay in the designated areas and use the designated bathrooms. This reduces cleaning and promotes safety.
Ushers will open doors and they will remain open when it is time to enter and exit
The auditorium doors will be closed and locked so please the doors directly connected to the gymnasium or the office entry doors.
Offering will be received through collection plates located at the back of the assembly.
Given that we consider singing part of our corporate worship we will be engaging in congregational singing. If you assess the risk factor of that activity to be too high please consider continuing to watch our LiveStream from your home.
The water fountains will be closed, so bring a water bottle with you if desired.
We ask each person to assess whether or not they should wear a mask while attending the service and bring their own if they so desire.
How can I help?
Be gracious. Embrace the joy of putting others before ourselves.
Be flexible. This is new for everyone and we know that adjustments will need to be made.