Republican state senators have said that Gov. Roy Cooper’s stay-at-home order regarding church services is unconstitutional, and some folks are taking that statement to heart.
Lighthouse Baptist Church in Eden starting holding services in the church last Sunday, May 10 and plans to hold services again Sunday, May 17.
Lighthouse Baptist Church Pastor Scott Adamsons said that he was encouraged by the recent state court decision in Wisconsin and the federal court decision in Kentucky. In both instances judges ruled that prohibiting people from gathering in a church for services was a violation of their First Amendment rights.
He said that it confirmed his opinion that allowing retail establishments to open as long as they practice social distancing but not allowing churches to hold services indoors was unconstitutional.
Adamsons said that they were practicing social distancing, that every other pew had been blocked off and there were signs saying that it was acceptable for two households to sit in the same pew as long as there was six feet between them.
Adamsons said they cleaned everything and propped the front door open so nobody had to touch it. He said they did not pass the plate for a collection but simply put a plate at the back of church for people if they chose to donate.
He said that from reading about other countries such as Sweden, and the information now available about COVID-19, that “social distancing is the limiting factor for spread of the infection.”
Adamsons said that when he decided to hold the service last week, “I was fully prepared to go jail if I had to.” But he said he has not heard from any government officials since the decision was made to hold indoor services.
Three sheriffs in North Carolina have publicly announced that no one will be arrested in their counties for going to church, and the list is growing.
Adamsons said that about half the congregation showed up for services on May 7 and they had room for plenty more this Sunday. He said that if too many people showed up for the service, so that they could not practice the recommended social distancing, that they would simply ask people to wait outside.
If you would like to worship inside a church on Sunday, May 17, Lighthouse Baptist Church is at 8460 NC 14 in Eden and the Sunday service begins at 10:30 a.m.
Pastor Adamsons said, “Come on down.”
The Bible speaks decisively to this issue. Romans 13:1-2 say “Obey the government for God is the one who put it there. There is no government anywhere that God has not placed in power so those who refuse to obey the law of a man are refusing to obey God and punishment will follow.This verse speaks to three issues: That it is God who influence the election and elected our officials; we need to follow the law of the land; and, if we refuse to obey, punishment will follow. We need to digest and obey this verse. The only time we are to disobey a law is if it is morally wrong—not in our opinion—but in God’s sight. Otherwise, we are to be good citizens and make the church and state work together for good.
Mrs. Smith, your comments sound like they makes sense, but leave out relevant realities. If we are to apply Scripture to the topic, then we should apply it to the totality of the situation in order to preserve Biblical context. We live in a Constitutional Republic for which its current organizing documents (namely the Constitution as currently amended) places limits on the authority of the elected officials to which you refer, and establishes a foundation of liberties/rights for the citizens. In essence, the US Constitution is the ceiling of governmental authority/intrusion and the floor of civil rights/the people’s liberty/freedom. Many of those rights are “inalienable.” Inalienable is defined as, “Unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor.” Among others are the right of free speech, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to worship God without fear of government intrusion. Most people collectively refer to those as the First Amendment. Now applying this to Scripture: Yes, God anoints all leaders; He also anointed them in this country under this Constitution which He ordained; if a leader violates that Constitution, then the citizens have several avenues of recourse, not just one: 1) A citizen may wait until the next election to vote in a new leader, 2) A citizen, if they have the resources, may seek arbitration in the Judicial Branch, 3) A citizen my forfeit those rights individually (not collectively), and 4) A citizen may ignore the illegal edict, allow the state to react, and then seek arbitration in the courts (but this time with a taxpayer-paid defense attorney ANY one of those options are appropriate responses to an anointed leader which breaks the law in THIS country. That is not so of many if not all of the nations mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. So the actions of Lighthouse Baptist Church were in line with the Word of God, if the Word of God is applied in context with the entire situation. In the absence of one of our leaders in this nation breaking the law, or the nation’s laws compelling a citizen to break with God, indeed, a citizen is to obey the law as God instructs; and Lighthouse does just that.
You do realize that the same person who wrote Romans 13 was in prison often and was killed for disobeying those in authority? I mean, context is everything.
I applaud this church and pastor!
It’s about time a man of God stood up to an unconstitutional order from Cooper, who thinks planned Parenthood and liquor stores are essential and churches are not. Copper is probably a satanist. Guess what Cooper, the Lord Jesus Christ wins in the end and you will be judged for your crimes against humanity by Him. God will not be mocked and even your knee will bow you SOB!
Good for this church.
The next time that May 14th is on Sunday will be in 2023. I hope we don’t have to wait that long to worship together.
Thank you Pastor Adamson for directing your church in the service and using proper distancing.MAY God be blessed in what you are doing. Thanks for the directions in starting yourChurch.
Thank you for speaking out for our constitutional rights and I agree with you. I think your congregation will extend.
Thank you for your support, and even those who express concerns. I know they are all well-intended. My prayer is that we can get our state and communities back to worship and back to work in a safe and expedient manner. When COVID first came out, we knew little about it. In response, our church did shut down corporate activities and operations. We believed that temporarily restraining our liberties was the Christ-like thing to do to help protect the community. As several weeks worth of data streamed in from all around the globe, it became clear that except for the highly at-risk groups, self-isolation was not the lynch-pin to COVID.
Based upon our reading of the data, social-distancing, proper hygiene, and common sense are the most effective methods to reduce transmission of the virus. Walmart, Food Lion, fuel stations, and even liquor stores proved that. When that became evident, then employing those realities to church worship rendered a service just as safe (if not more safe) then going food shopping. And for many people facing loneliness, anxiety, financial hardships, family issues, etc, church is an essential service. It is also one of the few services which are Constitutionally protected from government edicts. Governor Cooper’s lock-down order of churches was not Constitutional at any time; but most churches which knew that that it prudent to comply until we knew more about COVID first. For those who are angry with the Governor, please pray for him — we all had a time in our life when we were either lost, broken, or made a poor decision. So even though you may not like him or agree with his decisions, consider praying good things for him.
If your church is not currently meeting and your household is healthy, you are welcome to attend at Lighthouse. Keep supporting your own local church — we are just interested in good worship, discipleship, and safe fellowship. Visit http://www.LHBCnow.org for directions. Thanks again, and stay healthy.