Gathering together is biblical, special and irreplaceable. For this reason, we must continue to work on a strategy for our people to assemble together, however possible at the time, for the advancement of God’s kingdom. We believe that at this time it is important that we honor those in authority over us while we go through this process (Romans 13; Titus 3). If there is a time we believe that churches are being unfairly discriminated against – and by ‘we’ I mean the leadership team at this church and the team of area pastors with which I (Anthony) am a part, we will revisit this plan.
What follows is CLG’s Re-gathering Plan, which has been formed over time and through prayer, research and discussion within our church and in conjunction with the broader church community here in Traverse City. Not every church is re-gathering along the same timeline or in the same way; our plan is not meant to convey anything other than “this is our plan.” We have wrestled our way through a lot of conflicting thoughts, feelings, and applications of biblical truth. At this point, while knowing that 20/20 hindsight will reveal we could have done it better, it seems good to the Holy Spirit and to us. (Acts 15:28)
Praying for God’s wisdom and direction,
Anthony and Sheila Weber
Ted and Anne Smith
Paul and Jackie Kaschel
Pete and Rosie Thiel
Karl and Kimberley Meszaros
William and Esther Krueger
Dan and Emily Slater
Scott and Aubrey Smith
Tom and Becky Childs
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“Phasing In” Steps Toward Re-gathering {1}
o Phase 1. Phase 1 is where we are right now. Continue to enjoy Sunday morning services at home through Facebook Live. We are offering meetings with Karl for kids online 10 minutes after the message. Small groups are meeting online. We have been gathering resources at church to care for those with needs.
o Phase 2 begins May 31 (groups of up to 10 can meet)
1. Services continue on Facebook Live.
2. We will begin meeting with groups we call “HomeChurch” groups, in which groups of 10 people or less will gather in homes. (These are groups forming temporarily as a response to the coronavirus restrictions and are not intended to replace our Small Groups program.) This gathering time will center around the sermon and discussion questions that Anthony will provide, but can be freely adjusted to meet the needs of the group. Contact William Krueger (WKrueger@britteninc.com).
3. We are working toward creating more opportunities for elementary age children/youth to interact online.
o Phase 3 (when groups of up to 20 can meet/an equivalent easing of restrictions occurs).
1. Services still are on Facebook Live. HomeChurches will continue to meet.
2. Small assemblies will be allowed in the church during the Sunday morning service, though we have not yet finished planning how to make this work in a way that can involve as many people as possible.
3. Children will need to stay with their parents.
4. We will adhere to recommended Personal Protection Equipment protocols and social distancing guidelines.
5. Youth Group will follow school protocols once the school year begins.
o Phase 4 (when groups of up to 50 can meet/an equivalent easing of restrictions occurs).
1. It will look much like Phase Three, but with a larger service or services.
o Phase 5 (enough restrictions are lifted that everything is “go”)
1. Back to one large service as our ministry setting proves safe, the restrictions are eased, and our Sunday attendance grows.
2. Children’s ministries, youth group and nurseries resume in accordance with school recommendations and practice.
3. HomeChurch groups are still encouraged to meet if there are concerns about large group attendance.
Note: If there is an upswing in Covid cases and the governor reinstates prior regulations, we move back to an appropriate phase until the factors change for us to advance forward again.
Note: There will be no physical Nursery/Kids Ministry during services until public schools begin to meet or would be cleared to meet.
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Some Factors We Are Considering
o Federal and state regulations, restrictions, guidelines, suggestions: What restrictions apply to group gatherings at the federal, state and county levels to which we must adhere?
o Community Church Response: Where does our plan place us on the spectrum of responses from other area churches?
o Impact:
What is the latest medical wisdom on how we can mitigate the spread of the virus? For example, https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them?fbclid=IwAR21Oipvu0wC4Yx0c0Ui7h3lh0X97s3ompfBgmgahf8d_2UzSWIwYgD0sT8. Drew Poppleton, pastor at Faith Reformed, did an interview with an infectious disease doctor who attends his church. It is very helpful. http://frctc.org/about-us/covid-interview
What does being a “faithful presence” look like at any given time? What does it look like to follow Paul’s example in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23?
o What does our church family look like?
How do we best minister to the at-risk and vulnerable in our church? Is there a way to reopen without their feeling like we have overlooked them?
It will be a while before young children can be dropped off into staffed nurseries. What current concerns exist for having space for parents to care for very young children?
In spite of competing narrative on what smart, effective or even necessary protocol looks like, how do we ensure that everyone agrees to particular standards without bitterness or judgment? (1 Corinthians 12:25–26)
Starting services could help people with the need to connect with people in person, but masks and social distancing could make people feel even more isolated. How do we balance the very real need for connection with the need for sensitivity to the real dangers high-risk individuals face?
o How will our approach affect our community testimony? This is a matter of public witness.
1 Timothy 3:7 “ Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.”
2 Corinthians 2:15–16 “ For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?”
Colossians 4:5–6 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
1 Thessalonians 4:10–12 “We urge you, brothers … to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.”
Philippians 2:14–15 “ Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 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.”
1 Peter 2:12, 15 “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. … For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (see also 1 Peter 3:13–17)
o What safeguards to litigation do we need to consider?
What legal liabilities should we be mindful of without looking like our church services are sponsored by a firm of lawyers?
How would a premature or sloppy opening impact our testimony in the community?
A number of pastors in TC recommended this video from a pastor in a large church: “Why We Aren’t In A Rush To Open Our Doors.” Our setting is not the same as theirs, but some principles in here are worth considering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIZ2t_vdn_I
Also worth noting: a number of churches are closing after re-opening because they opened too fast, and the virus spread within their church.
Values for phasing in:
o Safe. Special cleaning protocol; social distancing; masks. Lots of hand sanitizer available. No more “passing the plate” for offerings or communion. Greeters hold doors open/ doors propped open.
o Simple. It appears as though we will have to phase in with numerous high-maintenance, smaller gatherings at first. This opportunity can be seen as God’s gift for churches to start with less and incrementally add on.
o Strategic. Everything is intentional movement toward a common direction.
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[1] Hat Tip to Brian Conover at East Bay Calvary Church for this “phases” template which he allowed us to adapt for our church, and to Doug Long at Harvest Bible for organizing some of the biblical resources I have cited.