1. In these rather unprecedented times our leadership team has tried to do
our best, quite often on the fly, to try and facilitate our mission while new
news and government expectations have rolled in. Because of that you have seen
a multitude of format changes over the course of the year. We appreciate you
holding on for the ride.
2. The top priority for our church is and always will be our mission. We
also try to lead accomplishing this mission without taking on unreasonable
risks whether that is health, safety, or financial. Because assessing risks is
done by assigning “value” to the risk it is ultimately subjective. Therefore,
everyone has a different appetite for risk and that results in a wide range of
comfort levels regarding what risk taking is appropriate or not. Please know
that your church leadership team is trying to approach these trying times in
the most loving way possible.
3. We understand that meeting our mission is built on relationships and
that center to relationships is communication. It is well understood that the
richness of communication is not the same for a phone call or email or chat
over a cup of coffee. Richness of communication is also tied to effectiveness.
Therefore, the communication methods with the highest levels of effectiveness
are also those that carry more in person risks.
4. We support those that believe that the risks are too high for group
meetings, large gatherings, etc. For those persons we will continue to provide
a live streaming service on Sundays.
- We highly suggest that people who feel this way also keep in contact
with a small group of believers because of all the benefits of love,
accountability, support, etc. that come with that. We can help you connect with
a likeminded small group.
5. We also support those that believe that the risks are not too high for
group meetings, large gatherings, etc. For those persons we have in person
services on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings.
- Again we highly suggest that people who are comfortable with larger
gatherings also keep in contact with a small group of believers because of all
the benefits of love, accountability, support, etc. that come with that. We can
help you connect with a likeminded small group.
- We want you to know that we stand behind all the small groups and relational
connections within the body. We see relationships as the critical focus of how
we, as a body of believers, meet our mission.
6. We fully support what we are called to do in Hebrews 10 and will do our
best to help you have options (esv):
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let
us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the
habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you
see the Day drawing near.
7. We also fully support what we are called to do in Romans 13 (esv):
13Let every person be subject to
the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those
that exist have been instituted by God.
2 Therefore
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who
resist will incur judgment. 3 For
rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of
the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive
his approval,..
8. We have been asked before about what we should do in times where
commands from God conflict with commands from other Earthly authorities. In
those times “… We must obey God rather than men” Acts 5:29. However, not all
conflicts may be black and white and for that reason not everyone will
necessarily agree on what is or isn’t a conflict. We pledge to do our best to
help lead when we believe there are conflicts.
9. We will always accept people, themselves, as they come. To turn them
away could cost the opportunity to see them transformed. Asking someone to
temporarily leave the church would be for spiritual reasons, not physical, and
would be in accordance with God’s word on the subject.
10. The Church Elders have been asked, and asked
ourselves, what we would do if restrictions or events were put in place which
impacted our ability to meet in person again. We intend to have large weekend
gatherings, and small group gatherings, but we cannot imagine all of the
circumstances that might possibly arise. We will be faithful to our mission of
loving God, loving people, and making disciples in ways that match every
situation we find ourselves in.
