Dear Fellow Canadians,
When will churches re-open?
This has been a common question across the board.
Just this week, we received some insider information suggesting Ontario churches may be re-opening later, rather than sooner.
The following is a letter from an Ontario pastor that we wanted to share with you due to the many questions we have been receiving about this topic.
Please read and consider the call to action.
▪ 4 MY Canada
Letter from an Ontario pastor:
Dear fellow pastors and faith leaders,
As you are all aware, the last few months have been very challenging for all of us, as we have had to adjust to new “COVID-19” procedures for how to “do church”. As churches are starting transition from being exclusively online and open back up, we are facing many different types of challenges.
In Ontario, for example, they just announced that most of the province is moving into "Stage 3". I know many of us had hoped for forward movement for churches with the next stage. However, the restrictions on churches remain the same as "Stage 2", with no foreseeable change coming to those restrictions.
Local health units are implementing “guidelines” that are nearly impossible to follow and are getting stricter as we move forward, not lesser. For example, the “Mandatory Mask Law” has already been implemented as an “order”, not a “guideline”, in many regions of Ontario (and is planned to most likely be implemented across the province), putting churches at a tremendous disadvantage in trying to do in-person church services as no pastor or worship leaders can speak or sing through a mask, but that is what the order currently requires. Churches could be facing big fines (locally, we have been told $5000/day) if they do not comply with these orders.
As different provinces move into different stages, it is playing out in different ways. The concern right now is that the local health units are given tremendous power over regions, above provincial guidelines, in making decisions for how a city is to implement their local guidelines (and at times “orders”) as it relates to “places of worship”.
The approach in other provinces may vary, but the principle remains the same. This is not the time to remain silent.
As decisions are being made, policies are being reviewed and new guidelines or orders are being implemented, it is imperative that we as pastors and faith leaders speak up before policies are made “final”.
You know what that looks like in your province, but in Ontario, we have a chance and obligation to speak up as quickly as possible, especially before the official "Stage 3" comes into effect this Friday, as some of the guidelines are under “review” and have not been finalized yet. One pastor or faith leader may not be able to make a difference, but together we can make a difference if we act swiftly. The opportunity to speak into this is now, not next week.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?
DON’T BE SILENT
As pastors and faith leaders, voice your concerns about the current situation in a strategic way. Contact your local health unit, your MPP and your city hall and make your concerns known.
WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL HEALTH UNIT
They are currently the ones writing guidelines and policies for places of worship. In a respectful manner, present a “reasonable compromise” for review as an alternative to the “nearly impossible” guidelines currently being presented to churches. The more people that they hear from, the better chance we have to make a difference. Remember that something put in writing is highly recommended over calling, as a phone call will be much less effective.
EMAIL THE HEAD OF YOUR LOCAL HEALTH UNIT DIRECTLY
You can typically find this email address by looking at your local health units website. Just emailing a general “info” address will be much less effective than emailing the head of your health unit.
LESS IS MORE
The more you say, the less likely they will approve your “reasonable compromise” in how our church services should look like. Simplify options in order to give them something that is more likely for them to consider or approve.
FOCUS ON WHAT IS MOST PRESSING FOR YOUR AREA
Each area, region or province may have different restrictions, so key in on the main things that affect your area/province and encourage other faith leaders in your area or province to do the same.
Let’s pray and believe for change to happen and for favour as we move forward! And let’s take action while we still can make a difference!
