Revised Guidelines for Public Events and Gatherings
The
Elders have continued to seek God's wisdom and receive and weigh congregational
input on our guidelines for our Chapel gatherings. As scheduled now, all
current guidelines are set to expire on September 1, 2020. We are revising the
guidelines for our public gatherings and events. All present guidelines are
rescinded and are replaced by these new ones. These guidelines went into effect
on August 13th, 2020 and will automatically expire on December 1, 2020.
- At our public events, we will provide for social distancing for those who want or need it.
- At our public events, we ask but do not require people to wear face coverings.
- At our public events, we ask people to apply Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17 with respect to our current circumstances.
- Ministries may set stricter guidelines for their ministry teams and events. Guidelines must be submitted to and approved by the Elders.
- The Bible in Ephesians 4:29-5:2 and Romans 14 commands us, in our attitudes and actions, to be generous and gracious to those holding opposite views.
The
Elders ask reflects both our view that
wearing the face covering is wise and that we are trying to allow for some
liberty in this.
As noted in number 4 above, the Elder approved guidelines for Children's Ministry Teams will be in force beginning September 1.
Please do not allow this to deter you from coming to and participating in our gatherings Sunday or any others as scheduled. We should so crave being together that inconveniences and hindrances are overcome for our spiritual good.
Finally, please remember our core imperative:
Prefer One Another (Philippians 2:3-5, 14-15)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…
Each of us has our own opinion about these guidelines. The Bible calls us to be wise and discerning and that is well and good. However, these guidelines for our gatherings we believe are best and wise. Caring for one another means we humbly set aside our rights and opinions to submit to leadership and to put others first.
You may visit our Previous Reopening Guidelines which are no longer in force. Some of the guidelines there will be implemented on a ministry-by-ministry basis per #4 above.