Across the nation, churches were closed due to COVID-19.  Then last week, President Trump declared churches to be essential.  In light of that, while we’ve seen more states loosen their rules concerning church attendance, some governors have been more reluctant only allowing 25 or fewer people or even as low as 10 or fewer to worship together.  

With an update on some unique cases from the West Coast, this Crosstalk featured Brad Dacus.  Brad is the president and founder of the Pacific Justice Institute.  They defend the religious freedoms, parental rights and other civil liberties of people who cannot defend themselves.  Brad was a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Phil Gramm and went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.  He founded the Pacific Justice Institute in 1997.

Discussion began concerning hundreds of churches opening in California on May 31.  Some are planning to go over and above what the governor is allowing in terms of things like occupancy numbers, so Brad encouraged churches to call Pacific Justice Institute ahead of time to fill out an attorney/client agreement so they can be represented without charge if necessary.  

Another tool they are utilizing to help churches is a conference (Zoom) call that’s taking place tomorrow (Thursday) at 2pm Pacific Time.  Churches can register for the call at www.pji.org and by participating, pastors and church leaders can learn about the restrictions in various states and how to get around such restrictions so that they can move ahead while remaining in compliance with the law. 

Discussion also covered home schooling, what’s happened with church restrictions in Oregon, the impact of President Trump’s declaration that churches are ‘essential,’ input from Crosstalk listeners, and much more.

Learn what you can do to assess your risk and make the best of the current situation for your church by reviewing this important Crosstalk broadcast.