Welcome, my faithful readers. This column may not be what you expect. I can’t seem to drum up any Atlantic community news this week, so I’m going to write something that’s on my heart.
I’m growing increasingly concerned about the climate we’re living in. Churches are being targeted. Pastor John MacArthur, one of the most famous conservative evangelical ministers in America, violated California Governor Gavin Newsom rules and held worship service on Sunday, August 2, 2020.
If I’d written this in February, you’d have thought I was crazy. Why would holding a worship service be in violation of a governor’s mandate? We’re talking about America here. Not China. Not Iraq.
Nothing is immune from the impact of COVID-19; not even churches. Churches voluntarily cancelled worship services and all other activities beginning in mid-March. I watched Palm Sunday and Easter services on a laptop.
Now we’re meeting as congregations. Some meet in parking lots—in cars or while sitting in camp chairs. I’ve heard of a couple churches that are meeting inside, but not many.
But for how long? Pennsylvania isn’t California, but that doesn’t mean our governor couldn’t shut down churches if he wants to. We’re supposed to wear masks and sit six feet apart because our governor and state’s secretary of health says so. And almost everyone is obeying these rules.
Will we comply when they tell us we can’t meet at all, and yet people can shop freely in big box stores, protest in the streets, and set churches on fire?
I can’t help wondering what would happen if we united as Christians and simply said, “No. I’m going to church. I won’t bow to anyone but Jesus.” What then?
Pray, my friends. Pray. Speak up when you start seeing your Constitutional rights stomped. We are guaranteed freedom of religion as Americans.
Fallowfield United Methodist Church’s new pastor, Les Hutchins, has been preaching on revival for the past several weeks.
His inspiring messages remind me that God is not finished with the Atlantic community, Crawford County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, or the world at large.
Our lives aren’t governed by township supervisors, county officials, governors, secretaries of health, presidents, or any other human being. Our lives are ultimately governed by our choices, particularly our choice to follow or reject Jesus. All other decisions ultimately return to this decision. Will I go to church? Yes. I will, because God wants me to. Will I read my Bible today? Yes. It’s my daily spiritual food. Will I forgive her? Yes. Jesus tells us to forgive each other. Will I live in fear? No. The Bible tells us, “Fear not.”
Please join me in praying God will protect and defend our religious freedoms and that we won’t simply shake our heads and watch while our liberty is torn from our hands.
If you want to take advantage of your religious freedom, I invite you to join us at Fallowfield United Methodist Church. Our new minister, Pastor Les Hutchins, is preaching on revival, and is incorporating contemporary music, such as what’s on KLOVE radio. We’ve seen our congregation grow, and it’s a true blessing! We’re also broadcasting on Facebook Live and radio station 97.9 from 9 to 10 a.m. if you’re within a mile of the church. We’re meeting outside, and you may bring a camp chair or sit in your car.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!