Evangelicals slam NYC’s threat to ‘permanently’ close churches that defy coronavirus order

Apr 3, 2020 by

Evangelicals slam NYC’s threat to ‘permanently’ close churches that defy coronavirus order

by Samuel Smith, Christian Post: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s assertion that churches and synagogues will be “permanently” closed if they refuse to obey a stay-at-home order banning large gatherings in light of the coronavirus pandemic has drawn the ire of national Christian leaders. At a March 27 press briefing, de Blasio singled out Christian and Jewish congregations and threatened that agents would shut down their houses of worship if they held in-person services. “A small...

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Biblically Orthodox in an Online World

Mar 30, 2020 by

Biblically Orthodox in an Online World

by F Capitanio, AAC: At a time when churches are scrambling online to serve the faithful, we are grateful for technological advancements that allow us to come together despite our isolation. Many churches are pushing back the darkness of anxiety and despair through innovative ways to care for their members. Hopeful stories of encouragement, outreach, and service are rising to the surface of an atmosphere otherwise permeated by fear. The online community and our household technologies are a...

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Survey: Churches Pivoting, Anxious, and Getting on Mission

Mar 28, 2020 by

Survey: Churches Pivoting, Anxious, and Getting on Mission

from The Exchange: Over 1500 church leaders responded to our Covid-19 Church Survey. The coronavirus COVID-19 creeped onto the world scene only a few months ago and has spread at breakneck speed, disrupting societies, social units, healthcare systems, and entire economies. Only a few months in, the cost in lives has been too high—those infected and who have lost their lives as a result of the virus, and those suffering as a result of changes in how we daily function (e.g., an increase in...

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“A Great Cloud of Witnesses in the Cloud” as Anglicans Worship Online

Mar 21, 2020 by

“A Great Cloud of Witnesses in the Cloud” as Anglicans Worship Online

by Jeffrey Walton, Juicy Ecumenism: Sunday evening the Rev. Robbie Pruitt tapped his phone and began a livestream for the youth gathering of Christ the King Anglican Church in Alexandria, Virginia. “I’m in my daughter’s bedroom doing Facebook Live because it is actually the quietest place in the house,” Pruitt, the Pastoral Associate and Director of Youth Ministry, explained to the virtually assembled. He launched into a talk about Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well in John chapter 4...

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Just 5 people allowed at church weddings (including bride and groom) during coronavirus outbreak

Mar 20, 2020 by

Just 5 people allowed at church weddings (including bride and groom) during coronavirus outbreak

by Marcus Jones, Premier: The Church of England has issued new guidance on weddings, stating ceremonies can go ahead but should be limited to the legal minimum of five people. The priest and two witnesses should all observe a social distance from the couple while traditions such at the priest touching the rings or the couple’s hands as part of the blessing are no longer required. As public worship services are currently suspended, the readings of the banns of marriage in the weeks before...

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Coronavirus has locked my congregation out

Mar 20, 2020 by

Coronavirus has locked my congregation out

by Giles Fraser, UnHerd: It is heartbreaking to celebrate Mass in an empty church. In the vestry of my church in south London there is a list of Rectors of the parish going back to 1313. In that time, not once has the central church advised us to lock our doors to parishioners. Nazi bombers put us out of action for a while. But not since 1208 has the Church of England closed its doors to public worship. Though of course, as Roman Catholics will be eager to point out, there wasn’t such a thing...

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