December 17, 2021
The following statement in no way presumes to represent the exact voice and language of every pulpit and pew across our storied state, nor does it attempt to put forward a once-for-all masking and/or vaccination policy. Rather, this statement seeks to offer the opportunity for Rhode Island pastors and their congregations to express a common interest and present a unified Christian response in regard to Executive Order 21-116, and in particular to the potential exclusionary consequences of the new masking/vaccine mandate. This statement was prepared in coordination with member churches of the Evangelical Ministers’ Fellowship of Southern Rhode Island, and so endorsed by its Executive Board:
The Christian Church’s response to the pandemic in all its twists and turns should be led by the same principles with which our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, prepared for us to engage our world in every other circumstance. The greatest of these principles is love. (1 Cor 13:13) Love is not the only principle, but rather the greatest among many. In keeping with this priority, out of love for neighbors and friends (1 John 2:10), and in submission to governmental authorities which God has ordained (Rom 13:1-2; 1 Pet 2:13-14), Rhode Island churches have taken historic and dramatic steps to protect one another over the last two years. To varying degrees, these churches have taken measures such as follows: halting in-person worship, refraining from singing, requiring distancing and/or masking, minimizing or sidelining important community ministries, and meaningfully altering the administration of the sacraments. This and more, churches have pursued and persevered through, under the banner of love.
But the principle of love, which inspires us to sometimes refrain from that which is otherwise considered good and holy (Mark 2:20; 14:7), and that only for a season, is the same principle which compels us at all other times to continue in those things which our Lord has commanded to be kept, without such exclusionary restraints. This arises not apart from, but stems from the same heart of love, which looks with mercy upon fellow neighbor, even as it looks to God for favor and grace. In keeping, Christian love compels the faithful continuance of such as these good and holy things: assembling together regularly and eagerly (Heb 10:25), singing together joyfully (1 Cor 14:26; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16), greeting one another personally (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 1 Thes 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14), welcoming those who do not share our convictions generously (Rom 14:1; 15:1, 7; 1 Cor 8:9; 9:22; 1 Thes 5:14) and partaking in both fellowship meals and Holy Communion gladly (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26). All of this reflects the general pattern of Christian life and worship established from the Church’s humble, yet marvelous, inception. (Acts 2:42-47)
With all this in mind and understanding that individual churches will vary as to their levels of promotion and agreement with the most recent mandate, it is the conviction of those who have adopted or will make use of this statement, that the Christian Church will not and should not make either a mask or a vaccine the proper litmus test for participation and communion with the body of Christ, which is the Church. (Eph 1:22-23)
Let us meanwhile, under the same divine impetus of love, commit ourselves to both uphold our governmental leaders in constant prayer (1 Tim 2:1-2), and to look out for the best interests of others over ourselves (Phil 2:3-4), knowing that the former reflects the heart of God (1 Tim 2:3-4), and the latter the mind of Christ. (Phil 2:5-6)
Pastor Caleb outlined our plan during a business meeting via Zoom last Sunday. He informed the congregation that they could expect a survey that would reflect your personal level of comfort in attending in-person.
*Click to take BRIEF survey HERE*
Important Follow-Up on Physical Gatherings and Holy Week:
Hello again Church,
It’s absolutely dizzying to try and stay ahead of the news cycle and the daily governmental guidelines, whether they be global, federal or local. But one thing has become crystal clear to each of your church elders in just the past 24 hours. It would be simply irresponsible for us to facilitate or even encourage any physical group gatherings while this virus and crisis persist. Though we are encouraged by the fervor and hunger we sense in our church body to be together, we can and must pray from our homes, over our phones, and via the internet. Any gathered prayer meetings in the month of April will be facilitated online-only, through services such as Zoom. We will try to get prayer up and running via Zoom for tomorrow at 10am. You can expect a separate email invitation by morning if we are able to make that happen.
As I relayed in my last update, I am still learning, and that of course includes learning to lead amidst a crisis. But in a crisis like ours, where the cost of poor decision-making and leadership could be deadly, my least concern is making an abrupt change. So then, we will NOT be gathering for prayer this Thursday or any day in the month of April. Neither will we be facilitating or encouraging any prayer gatherings locally in your communities. That was a great idea, but it’s the wrong time.
Lastly, I want to make clear what many of you have already assumed. We will not be able to enjoy our Sunrise Service at The Towers, nor will we be able to enjoy our typical Holy Week services and traditions such as the united Good Friday service or the purchase and display of Easter flowers. However, in addition to a Sunday morning Easter service, we will host an online-only Good Friday service at 7pm.
If your head is spinning from all of these changes and all of the news, I can only suggest you look at one fixed point until you achieve equilibrium. For Christians, that point is Jesus. Heb 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Look to him, in his Word and in prayer. And we thank you for keeping us in yours. Heb 13:18 – Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Caleb
Hello FBCN members and friends,
This is an update solely regarding gathered prayer. If you don’t pray, you can just skip this one all-together (I have to have a little fun). The morning prayer ministry we enjoyed last week, which was conducted on the church grounds, is being modified. The elders recognize that with the initiation of our Governor’s “stay at home” order this week, and the further restricting of group sizes to 5, it would be wise to re-route the bulk of any gathered prayer ministry away from the church building itself. This was a frustrating decision to come to, especially given the blessing and benefit it has proved to be for both those praying and those being prayed for. That said, the elders are confident this is the right decision at present. What this means in the coming weeks, and likely through at least the month of April, is that gathered prayer on the church grounds will be limited to once per week, on Thursday mornings, from 10-11am. If we have groups larger than 5 persons, which we had all through the prior week, we will break them into smaller groups to best comply with the current mandate. Prayer is an absolute essential for every individual Christian, and corporate prayer an essential for every living church, so as long as we continue being granted allowance to purchase guns, wine and staples, the elders feel compelled to present opportunities for gathered prayer.
That brings me to the second implication regarding gathered prayer (again, distinguished from private prayers). Nothing in the New Testament demands or guarantees that a local church’s regular prayer life will, or even should, be tied to a singular location. So, as frustrating as the recent “stay at home” order was for me personally, I now admit my own lack of spiritual sight. And I can hear the Lord gently reminding me again: The Church is not a building, Caleb. If you, like me, are struggling with being pulled away from our regular forms of worship, feel free to just slip your name in there and hear it for yourself. Now, having heard the Lord on the matter and finally letting it go (with the help of our blessed elders), I have been freed to remember a prayer pipe-dream I tried to forget about a year ago. Having moved into our new home and then becoming aware that several Christians lived within walking distance of us, I dreamed of something I secretly doubted would ever happen. What if we began forming groups, by neighborhood, maybe not more than 5, which prayed regularly for our neighbors’ needs, primarily to meet Jesus? Walking our streets and praying for revival, house by house, street by street, pleading for God’s kingdom to come and his will to be done, on our streets. But that hits a little close to home, doesn’t it? Yes, it does. And ashamedly, maybe it’s part of the reason I held so tightly to the comforts of meeting “at the church.” But I’m beginning to see that God wants me, and maybe some of you like me, to begin to loosen our grip of the controls. If only I was listening to “The Church” series a while back, but I was much too busy preaching. To be certain, God won’t let us do things the way we want right now. Maybe he wants us to do things differently, or even to begin doing different things. Let’s pray about that. You can expect a call from someone in the church over the next week or so, and one thing they will ask is if you want to be connected with someone who is nearby, or host prayer outside of your own home. Before you say yes or no though, pray about it. Please.
Still learning in Christ,
Pastor Caleb
Dear FBCN members and friends,
As of yesterday, the Rhode Island public was informed of 44 total cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) within our state, 11 of which were new overnight. Barring an extraordinary work of God to intervene against this virus, we can expect those numbers to grow more quickly and potentially spike in the coming days and weeks. That is not a comforting notion, but it is the world we find ourselves in. What do we do with all this news? Well, there are many ways that question is being answered, and not all of it in agreement, but I will spare you the medical, professional or social advice, as you’re hearing plenty of that already. And odd as it seems, I will also spare you the spiritual advice because contrary to popular opinion, ministers of Jesus Christ are not primarily spiritual advisors, spiritual gurus, or spiritual professionals. Ministers are proclaimers. And what they proclaim is not themselves, not opinion nor advice, but news. You see, when you get advice, you can take it or leave it. But when news is shared, you simply must live in light of it; or I suppose you could deny it. So, here is the only news I exist to proclaim: Jesus, the Christ, is King! Hear it now from the lips of a minister who knew well his place, Paul:
2 Cor. 4:5-7 – For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
There is a lot of news going around. There always has been. But this Gospel that we proclaim is what remains truly newsworthy, because in the light of eternity, it is still the only good news. So, to answer the question, what we are to do today is to live faithfully, both admitting the dark reality of this spreading virus, and abiding in the all-consuming light of the glory of the Gospel. Let me be sufficiently practical now. The Church is the Church as it acts like it, proclaiming the good news in word and deed. The Church prays. The Church gathers. The Church teaches and celebrates the Gospel. The Church gives. And it gives so that each of those ends can be pursued, by faith, to the ends of earth. This is not advice. This is what the Church simply does and has done in light of the good news. God has not cast off his prodigal creatures but rather called them home in Christ. We must not cast him off amid the confusion and chaos that comes; whatever may come. So then, pray, gather (more on that), join us online for worship, and give faithfully.
Here are some ways we can currently, and legally, facilitate that (I’m open to ideas w/volunteers):
- Beginning on Tuesday, March 24, a morning prayer time will be hosted outdoors at the church, but not in the church, from 9-9:45am. This will continue 5 days a week, Tuesday thru Saturday. Come and stand or BYOC (bring your own chair). Dress for the weather.
- Pastor will be available to pray, give out Bibles, or open the door for gift drop-offs, Tuesday thru Saturday, from 10am-2pm (Checks ONLY Please! To be responsible, we will not receive cash or loose change offerings). Alternatively, you can mail checks, use Bill-Pay or give online.
- Sunday worship services will continue at 9:30am and be attended online only until further notice, via our Facebook page. However, if you or someone you know does not have online access, please email the church if there is interest in recorded sermons.
- We plan to assemble a care team. Contact the church if you are willing and interested in calling and checking in on church members and friends. You may not know everyone you call, but there’s only one way to fix that.
Now, please receive the following with the humility and grace I intend it to carry. I must urge you all, for the collective good of us all, not to attempt entry into the church building for non-essential tasks. And if you are sick, at all, regardless of symptoms, do not put others at risk by entering church property. Ministers are not only proclaimers, but also protectors. And to best protect this flock, I will absolutely send away or call out anyone where these boundary lines are not being respected. In keeping with this concern for the safety of the flock, I have asked our office administrator (Thank you Dawn!) to work from home for the time being. Please do not question her integrity in adhering to that request. And I plan on respecting these boundaries as well. If I take ill, I will ask another to step in for me.
Lastly, I will tell you that I have been filled with a strange sense of hope and expectancy during this time. I do not know precisely what the Lord is doing or going to do, but I am confident he is performing a refining work upon his Church, and for that I am grateful. Many people have done church before, but in times like these, where church can’t be done as its been learned, we find out if indeed we are the Church. And as beloved children of the King, assured that we are indeed his, we need not live in fear. Rally to your King, and rest in him! Read Psalm 93 today for a reminder of who’s still in charge.
Pastor Caleb
Dear FBCN members and friends,
As you and I continue to digest the bevy of information coming at us this weekend about the Coronavirus, let us be quick to listen, slow to speak and particularly cautious with our judgments (James 1:19-20). Towns, schools, businesses and churches have been put in positions they would greatly prefer not to be in, and at significant cost. But in seeking to act in the best interests of their citizens, students, employees and parishioners, they will be required to make decisions that seem either unnecessarily guarded or unforgivably moderate. Please join me in praying for them daily and let everything we say of their leadership be seasoned with grace. Like you, our local leaders are image-bearers of God. Like me, they are imperfect in mind and soul, and prone to error, hubris or fear. But they have been placed in authority over us by God, as a gift (Rom 13:1-2). As such, they are due our honor, our respect and our humble observance.
With that said, following upon a dozen or so conversations with local pastors and medical professionals in our region, I have arrived at the determination that to best comply with the spirit of ever-tightening governmental directives, as well as to sufficiently guard the flock and community witness of First Baptist Church of Narragansett, it is in the best interest of our friends, families and gospel witness to suspend ALL regular ministries located on our church premises for a minimum of two weeks. This means that the earliest possible person-to-person ministry performed at 305 Kingstown Rd will not reconvene until at least March 29th. In the interim, we will host weekly Sunday morning worship services at 9:30am via Facebook Live, from home. Bethany, my 3 year old daughter – who I’m convinced loves our church more than anybody – affectionately interjected, “I call it Home Church,” as we discussed the potential over dinner this evening (you never know what they are understanding until these precious moments). So please, DO NOT come to the church building this Sunday morning. Rather, prepare yourself to watch and worship with the Church, from your home. Follow along at: FBCN Facebook Page
Lastly, while “social distancing” is the law of the land during this cultural moment, social isolation is not. If you’ve got a friend, neighbor, or loved one who you expect feels further isolated by what is going on today, you can be the one to close that gap with a call, text or email. Most of us will be spending more time alone in the coming weeks. May we, the Church, use this time well to meet with Christ and meet the needs of others (there’s never been a better time to open your church directory, alongside your Bible).
With great love and careful consideration,
Pastor Caleb (fellow image-bearer)
I am sure you have become increasingly aware of the global threat posed by the Coronavirus. With recent containment measures taken by the Federal and State governments to restrict travel (30-day ban on European flights), limit sporting events (NBA suspending season) and discouraging non-essential social interaction, the elders of First Baptist Narragansett want be vigilant, prepared and nimble to respond appropriately to the developing situation. Here is what we are asking of you now, beginning with this Sunday morning’s worship service:
- Pray for a quick and merciful end to the Coronavirus, and for people to seek Jesus amid it.
- Please do not attend meetings or gatherings if you are feeling sick, regardless of severity and symptoms.
- Please be mindful not to shake hands, hug, or touch others at gatherings. While you might be comfortable taking the risk, other individuals might not.
- Be flexible. If services or ministries are altered or suspended in the near future, it is with you in mind.
As followers of Christ, I urge you to remember your privileged position as an intercessor and ask you to stand in the gap for others, especially for our civil leaders at this time. You can begin tonight by praying at 7pm with your families, in lieu of attending prayer meeting. Prayer meeting at the church building will be suspended tonight and for the remainder of March. 1 Tim. 2:1-4 – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Lastly, if you in any way feel vulnerable or high risk in the face of this pandemic, either due to anxiety, age, bodily weakness or recent medical history, please do not feel obligated to put yourself at risk by attending group gatherings and services. Jesus knows you and loves you, and a couple of missed services will not change that. Be at peace that King Jesus is on his throne and be in prayer that his kingdom would advance even now.
Num. 6:24-26 – The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Amen,
Pastor Caleb