“The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool. If the church does not recapture its prophetic zeal, it will become an irrelevant social club without moral or spiritual authority.”
The Day of Pentecost is also known as the birthday of the Christian church. May 31, 2020 is the 1,990th anniversary of the original Day of Pentecost that occurred in the year A.D. 30. We declare that on May 31, 2020, or sooner, we will resume corporate worship as instructed in Hebrews 10:24-25.
Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Christian church and other faiths have been relegated to “nonessential” status by governing agencies throughout the United States. But we, the signers of this declaration, believe and contend that gathering together in fellowship and worship is “essential.”
As ministers of the Gospel, we have complied with the orders of governing bodies to cease meeting in-person as has been our practice for nearly 2000 years since the first Day of Pentecost. We respect the governing authorities and their role in public safety. However, the governing authorities have suspended our meetings indefinitely, refusing to provide a date upon which we can lawfully commence our practice of worshiping God together in our houses of worship. While we are thankful to the governing authorities for the significant efforts made to protect the public from COVID-19, the remaining threat of COVID-19 is outweighed by the severe restrictions upon the free exercise of our religion that we deem “essential.” We are committed to public safety and will follow reasonable guidelines established and applied to similarly situated organizations.
Fundamental to the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion is the right to gather and worship.[1] The First Amendment requires that the burden imposed on the free exercise of religion be narrowly tailored to serve the governmental interest in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Here, just as occurred in the U.S. Supreme Court case entitled Church of the Lukumi Balalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, the government’s “proffered objectives are not pursued with respect to analogous non-religious conduct, and those interests could be achieved by narrower ordinances that burdened religion to a far lesser degree.”[2] The current governmental orders are not narrowly tailored here because innumerable secular enterprises and places where people gather are deemed essential, including those that pose even greater risks of COVID-19 than religious assemblies.
NOW THEREFORE, WE DECLARE THAT WE WILL RESUME IN-PERSON RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLIES BEGINNING ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST, MAY 31, 2020, OR SOONER.
[1] See W. Va. State Bd. of Educ. v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 638 (1943) (“The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts … [such as the] freedom of worship and assembly.” This protection was incorporated against the states in Cantwell v. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296 (1940).
[2]Church of the Lukumi Balalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, 508 U.S. 520, 546 (1990).
Reopening Your Church Office
The Attorneys at Tyler & Bursch, LLP put a toolkit together to help churches reopen their office with confidence knowing they are taking the correct measures of safety required by law.
Sample Waiver & Release of Liability
This Waiver and Release is a sample only and you should consult an attorney to ensure this Waiver and Release is appropriate and effective for your specific situation. It is intended for those churches that plan to have all attendees and participants individually sign a release. We can not and do not guarantee that this poster will be legally effective to prevent the church or its representatives from being liable for claims of a third party.
Release of Liability Poster
This Release of Liability Poster is intended for those churches who do not plan to have individuals sign a Release of Liability. This poster should be placed in multiple prominent locations to ensure that attendees will have an opportunity to read the poster before entering the building.
Important Guidance for Churches Opening Their Doors
A Call to Action from Pastors
Attorney Robert Tyler tells us about what the Declaration of Essentiality is and why churches need to take action. Governor Newsom has overstepped his powers and its time "We the People" take back our freedom.
Watch Pastor Jack Hibbs, of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, give a message to Pastors and Church Members in California. It’s time to Reopen!
Rabbi Michael Barclay, Spiritual Leader of Temple Ner Simcha, encourages Spiritual Leaders and Religious People to sign the petition to open Worship Centers back up by May 31,2020.
Stand united with churches to declare that churches of all Religions are essential to the well being of the people.
Watch Pastor Jim Franklin of Cornerstone Church Fresno Give a Press Conference on Plans to Reopen
Pastor Rob McCoy, of Calvary Chapel Thousand Oaks, encourages Pastors and Church Members to sign the Declaration to open churches back up by May 31,2020.
Attorney Robert Tyler discusses the Reopening of Churches, scriptural issues, and the May 31st opening date at Calvary Chapel of the Harbour with Pastor Joe Pedick.
Open the Doors of the Church! The Church united Pastors call on all Churches to open up their doors.
Watch Pastor Diego Mesa, of Abundant Living Family Church, give us 14 reasons why Churches need to Reopen.
California Church leaders gather together on 5/7/20 for a Press Conference, appealing to Gov. Newsom to consider churches as essential and they share their plans to reopen churches.
Sign the Declaration Now!
Click the button above the videos
A Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom
We represent the interests of hundreds of pastors, churches and ministries in California. Along with the petition signatures and Declaration of Essentiality, we will be sending the Governor a letter with our demand for recognition that religious assemblies are “essential”.
