RESPONSE FROM PASTOR BECKER ON
GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S LATEST ORDER TO CHURCHES
TO CLOSE IN-PERSON SERVICES (AGAIN)
Dear RBC Family,
We are aware of our Governor’s revised orders to shut down the church announced on Monday. However, WE WILL REMAIN OPEN. We do understand that there is a health risk, and we will continue to do our best to make our facilities as safe as possible and will even be more vigilant to do so. While some may argue the concerns taking place, we are concerned even more so about the effect that will take place spiritually if we close down again. We believe that YOU
should have the freedom to choose for yourself whether or not you will come to church physically. For this reason, we do have our livestream available. I have said from the beginning that I hope all will join us, but I do understand there are certain situations where watching on the livestream temporarily may be necessary. That is YOUR
decision, not mine or our governor’s. I believe it is clear that God commands us to be in church if you are well, and I will respect whatever decision you make for yourself and your family. I will be addressing this further on Thursday night looking at what the Bible says as to when we are to obey earthly authority and when we have to draw that line and practice civil disobedience in order to obey God.
What we have at church is too important!
What I have seen and the ground we have had to make up after having been apart for 11 weeks is not something I am willing to throw away. It was clear that “livestream only”
does not work as a replacement for church. If you’re sick, out of town, or for other possible reasons, it is there to be a blessing so you can still see what’s happening in your church and feel like you’re a part of our services until you can return again. But as I heard over and over again from many of our families- “It’s just not the same”, “It doesn’t work”, “We tried, but it was missing something”. You may disagree, but it scares me to think of what will happen in our state and in our church family if we shut down and spiritually decline even further. There is no way to keep on fire for God without the church.
Do you think it is a coincidence that while the church was shut down, streets were literally being burned to the ground? It is clear that America needs churches open! If we shut down again, what do you suggest we do the next time people get sick? Do we shut down every time there is a risk? You could argue this is different, but that is a very, very dangerous precedent to set for us going forward. I know what kind of an effect this lockdown had on our teens and young people in particular, and I am not willing to gamble that again for an indefinite period of time. I am not attacking our governor. I am simply standing up for our church. I am standing up for you!
All of what we’ve already been doing to take precautions will remain the same. If you would like to help with cleaning, as there is a lot of work that takes place to ensure that everything is clean and disinfected, please see myself or one of our staff. We will continue to have our classes in the Educational Building. This actually makes it easier for us to spread out while using multiple rooms in our church.
I would ask and plead with you that you would continue to pray for me. Pray that God gives me wisdom, comfort, and power through this time. There are so many angles to this, and I just want to be God’s vessel for His work to be done. Please pray for your church family. Pray for those who have been impacted by their work, emotionally impacted, and whatever each person might be facing. Lastly, please pray for our nation. The Gospel is still the answer!
Thank you for taking the time to read this message. I do love you all with all my heart and pray for you regularly. The heartbeat of my life is Regency Baptist Church. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, any prayer requests, or anything at all. Thank you for your heart for the Lord and for His church.
In His Service,
Steven Becker, Pastor
