We Must Obey God over Man
A pair of California churches has been fined several thousand dollars for violating health restrictions and conducting indoor worship services during the pandemic
- North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, Calif., was fined $10,000 by Santa Clara County for conducting two indoor worship services that included singing. It also received a cease-and-desist order. (The county fined the church $5,000 for a Sunday morning service and $5,000 for a Sunday evening service.)
- Meanwhile, a California judge fined Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks, Calif., a total of $3,000 for meeting indoors and held the church and its pastor, Rob McCoy, in contempt of court. (The judge’s fine included $500 for each one of six services.)
Jack Trieber, the pastor of North Valley Baptist Church, decried the county’s fine. “I’m in charge of the spiritual health of the people who sit in this area,” he said in a video inside the church building. “… And although [physical] health is very important — of utmost importance – spiritual health is supreme. And because we’ve been locked out … of churches, suicide is up, domestic violence is up, drug addiction is up, homelessness is up, alcoholism is up. We need to get back to worshiping God. I am commanded to worship God.” Trieber said he is “willing to take a stand.” “If you arrest me this week – and I know that’s a possibility – that’s not my desire.
My desire is to preach God’s Word,” he said. Santa Clara County said the church was in violation of health restrictions that limit indoor worship and also restrict singing.
“North Valley Baptist is failing to prevent those attending, performing, and speaking at North Valley Baptist’s services from singing. This activity is unlawful,” the letter from the county read. “The county understands that singing is an intimate and meaningful component of religious worship. However, public health experts have also determined that singing together in close proximity and without face coverings transmits virus particles further in the air than breathing or speaking quietly.
The county demands that North Valley Baptist immediately cease the activities listed above and fully comply with the Risk Reduction Order, the Gatherings Directive, the State July 13 Order and the State guidance. Failure to do so will result in enforcement action by the county.” Godspeak Calvary Chapel was held in contempt of court Aug. 21 for violations in a total of six worship […]
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Please pray for these two Churches and their Pastors. Pray continually for the body of Christ.
We are all members of the same body individually and when one hurts we all hurt and when one member experiences joy we all experience joy!
We Must Obey God Over Man…
Using Romans 13 as an Excuse Not to Worship is the Pinnacle of Absurdity
