Let My People Go! (to Church)

Those of us pastoring churches in Canada find it strange to have American’s paying attention to the goings on around here. Part of the big story of the last year (the Covid Crisis) is the arrest of Canadian pastor James Coates in Alberta for defying Public Health orders. On Proclaim & Defend, we’ve covered the story here and here. Our friend Jeff Straub also wrote two other posts on his own blog, here and here. Jeff served in Canada for many years, and, with us, has a great interest and concern for the situation here. In America, we also witness relentless attacks on religion in various ways — see the recent piece by Steve Pettit. All these events show us the need to think through the issues carefully.

I am on the record opposing the actions of Pastor Coates. At least in Alberta churches are allowed to meet, albeit with restrictions. In British Columbia, since November 19, 2020, churches are not allowed to meet in person at all. Other groups are allowed to meet. Alcoholics Anonymous and other Twelve Step groups are allowed to meet, including in church buildings. Pubs and bars are open (with restrictions). All the stores are open. Churches are closed – despite the fact that the incidence of Covid infection traced to churches is far less than some of the venues that are open. The closures in BC are clearly discriminatory. Recently, our local fire department sent two inspectors to our church building. Neither of them go to church anywhere, but couldn’t believe the province was not allowing us to open. “This is no different from Costco,” one of them said.

The Various Attempts at Appealing Church Closures

Christians in British Columbia are raising their voices in response. Here are links to some excellent pieces by various leaders in the province (all of these are theologically different from us in the FBFI, but their arguments, I think, are sound):

Open Letter: from a pastor to Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister Adrian Dix – Church for Vancouver

Brian Bird: Banning religious gatherings defies common sense, and perhaps the Constitution | Vancouver Sun

Where is the evidence to support the closure of religious worship in BC? – Church for Vancouver

Position paper from the Christian & Missionary Alliance churches published in December: Pandemic-Civil-Disobedience-CPD-Position-Dec-2020.pdf (pacificdistrict.ca)

This article includes an updated appeal from the C&MA, they are less supportive of the government in this one: Churches restive as government hints at looser COVID-19 restrictions – Church for Vancouver

Premier John Horgan of British Columbia held a “Town Hall” style meeting on the news, Wednesday, March 17. I submitted a video question which the TV station selected as part of the interview. (You can view the segment here, I think this works even if you are not in Canada.)¹

Here is my question:

“Some of the venues that are open have higher infection rates than churches do, so how is it fair to keep us closed while allowing these others to be open? I ask, with respect, and a hope and request for equal treatment for all.”

And this is my transcription of the relevant portion of John’s response.

“The point that pastor Johnson makes is absolutely correct, we’ve chosen to work within our economy to keep things moving if we can do so safely … so the point is well made, that why can’t we gather on a Sunday or a Saturday or our day of worship while all this other economic activity is taking place. Well, the main point is that it’s economic activity, keeping people working, keeping people having paychecks coming in, that is critically important to us. The importance of our spiritual communities is profound, we understand that…”

John gave no firm indication they would change their position, though he acknowledged that Christians and other religious groups had important days approaching in their religious calendars, notably Easter for Christians.

Most Christians in BC are complying with the provincial orders, but trying to find means of appeal. Some, however, have gone to court. One case centered around three churches in BC who are flouting the provincial orders and meeting anyway. The province fined them, and the churches took the province to court on constitutional grounds. The BC Supreme Court judge gave a decision recently. He acknowledged that the province was infringing on constitutional freedoms, but ruled the Provincial Health Officer had the authority to declare an emergency and therefore had the authority to infringe our freedoms. As I understand the argument, the churches wanted the province to prove the emergency justified the infringement. From what the judge declared, it seems no proof is necessary, the Health Officer can just deem it so on her say-so. The litigants have not yet decided whether to appeal.

The Government Announces Changes

I think they must feel the pressure as the public increasingly sees the inconsistency of our government’s position. Two days ago, a “Variance” for outdoor meetings came out. If we hold an outdoor meeting, up to fifty people or fifty vehicles (presumably with more than one person each) may attend.

• All must be masked (even inside vehicles, apparently)
• All participants must be preregistered with contact information collected (and surrendered to the government at their request)
• Before attending a worship service, a person must carry out a health check (I am not sure what that means)
• No singing, except by a soloist (who must be masked except when singing, and must be three meters — 9 feet — from any other participant)

The list goes on, you may read it if you wish. This change, glacial though it may be, indicates the government is responding to the pressure somewhat.

Today, a new “Variance” came out, this time for indoor meetings. That’s another variance within two days, the pressure is on! However, the details are hardly satisfactory. Between March 28 and May 13, religious groups can choose four days when they meet indoors.

• Attendance restricted to 50 people or 10% of capacity (for us that means about 25 people given the size of our building)
• All must be masked
• The same contact tracing and health check requirements are in place.
• No congregational singing, no choir, but soloist allowed as above and a musical group up to five participants may play (masked, unless their instruments require playing without masks)

Conclusion

The announced changes represent a government feeling the pressure, but reluctant to open meetings at all. The restrictions that remain in place make it difficult to conduct our worship services. “Difficult” doesn’t mean “impossible,” but we will have to decide what we will do.

Up till now, we’ve mentioned the apostles and their reaction to the Sanhedrin in the book of Acts as well as Daniel and the experiences recorded in his prophecy. It seems to me that Moses and the Exodus provides another template for us to consider. We will not likely be able to call down plagues on our oppressors! However, what we should consider is the approach Moses and Aaron took (as well as Daniel and the apostles). When confronted by official recalcitrance, they appealed as far as they could, and then came to a place where they took a stand, come what may. I don’t see defiance in their tone, just persistence in request and humility through all. When it came the time to suffer, they took it with rejoicing, not defiance. (Acts 5.41) From a biblical standpoint, I think the right road is appeal (through the courts if necessary) with humility and willingness to suffer if necessary.

Let My People Go!

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Don Johnson is the pastor of Grace Baptist Church of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.

1. A background point, I consider Premier Horgan a personal friend. Years ago, when I was a realtor, I helped him and his wife buy their first home. We’ve had some contact since, though he’s been busy for the last six years or so as the most prominent politician in our province. I offer that simply so you can know there is a personal dynamic in the background of the question and answer. [↩]