The governor of California directed the closure of businesses and churches in five defined regions of the state. The shutdowns became effective when ICU capacity in a region falls below 15%. The directive became effective in early December 2020.
Two strip clubs in San Diego county remained open, contravening the Governor’s emergency directives. Meanwhile, church congregations were allowed only out of doors.
Why did Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil allow an exception to the Governor’s shutdown orders but not extend the exception to churches? The San Diego County officials appealed this ruling to no avail.
The reason Judge Wohlfeil ruled in favor of the strip joints: the strip joints had a detailed written plan, a process by which customers and employees were reasonably protected from infections from the airborne virus. That written plan addressed the fear factor.
The judge noted that Pacers International Showgirls and Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club operated for five weeks during the pandemic under their own safety measures, which included keeping strippers 15 feet from tables, allowing no more than one stripper per stage and requiring them and other employees to wear masks. A
What would happen if your church leadership developed knowledge-based plans to protect congregants and church employees?
Church leaders who follow government guidelines do not exercise leadership; they exercise ‘followship’, they are practical ‘sheep’.
Church leaders who follow the leadership examples of the two notorious strip clubs in San Diego County, California will develop knowledge-based, practical plans to preserve our First Amendment civil rights.
- The right to establishment of a churches and the free exercise of religious activities
- The right to freedom of speech
- The right of the people peaceably to assemble
- The right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances (appeal to authority)
What do church leaders need to know? Find a multi-point protocol here: Managing Indoor Air Quality to Keep America Open
Read next | Pandemic Action Plan [Biblical & legal resources]
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 