Crossing Baptist In-Person Service Plans – June 2020
After a lot of thinking, prayer, and discussion with our staff, Health and Wellness Team, Safety and Security Team leaders, and Admin Team, here is our plan for resuming in-person worship for the time being. Below are details of the plan, the reasoning behind this plan, and a spiritual perspective on these strange days for the church.
The Plan:
Beginning on Sunday June 14 at 9AM, we will have worship services outdoors on the lawn. People can stay in their cars, or bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on the lawn or under the shade of the trees at the edge of the parking lot. Even at 9AM, it may be warm, so people are encouraged to bring shade (umbrella, etc., and a drink). The church will provide some shade with pop-up canopies, but it will be limited.
We will encourage people to space themselves out to safe social distance. Masks are encouraged, but not required unless you need to be closer than 6 feet apart from someone else (for example, in setting up/taking down sound equipment).
Services will be streamed live online for those who cannot join in person.
Restrooms will only be available in case of emergency, and a Security Team member will be posted at the door to limit contact and help ensure that no more than two people are in the building at the same time. We encourage people not to use the water fountain, but bring a drink from home.
The playground will not be open for use.
If the weather does not permit outdoor worship, we will have services online.
At this time, the church will not be open for Bible study groups to meet. Since the service time will be when Bible study groups normally meet, Bible study leaders are encouraged to meet online with their groups at a time convenient for them. Bible study groups are welcome to meet outdoors after the service if they so desire.
The Reasons:
The biggest factors for reducing risk of spreading or contracting Covid-19 are the number of people and amount of time which you spend breathing in the same air. Unfortunately, this means that gathering with dozens of people in one room for an hour is one of the most risky things we could do. Meeting outdoors reduces this risk greatly, especially if we maintain a safe distance from one another.
Dallas County continues to officially recommend residents ‘stay home and stay safe’ (Risk Level Red) due to the number of cases in the county. When number of cases declines to the point of ‘proceed carefully’ (Risk Level Yellow), we will re-evaluate the possibility of meeting indoors.
The Spiritual Perspective:
What an interesting time to be a part of the Body of Christ!
I am grateful for the freedom to meet together, whether it be online or in-person. Not all believers around the world have this privilege. There is a caution that goes with our freedom, however. The Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians, “Take care that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians 8:9)” Paul was writing about a different issue, but the principle of making sure our liberty does not cause harm to another carries over to today.
In the case of an airborne virus that can be spread by those without symptoms, we may have the freedom to worship, shop, or do any number of things, but as a Christian, our concern must extend beyond ourselves to make sure that we do not harm anyone with our freedom, especially those who may be at a higher health risk. I look forward to when we can meet ‘normally’ and not worry about coronavirus. But I wonder if God cannot use these circumstances to help us get into the mindset of using the privilege of our freedom to look out for the vulnerable, in all circumstances.
In the meantime, thank you church, for your patience and grace to our staff and to one another during this time. Please email or call me if you have questions or concerns about our plans. or if you have nay need that we can help with.
In Christ,
Pastor Patrick