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Coronavirus
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“I will relinquish my ‘rights’ in order to serve others. Theologians have labeled Philippians 2:5-8 as ‘the great kenosis’ passage. It is a Greek word that describes the self-emptying of Jesus in order to live among us on His way to the cross. ‘Have this mind among yourselves…’” - Church Leaders

Discussion

Wed, 06/24/20

[Joel Shaffer]

DL Creed, How do I know that you are not virtue signaling about someone who is virtue signaling? I could easily jump to conclusions (without any proof) that your motive is to score points and get “likes” here on Sharper Iron when you insinuated that the author virtue signaled, “had to write an entire article on his reasons, less anyone miss it.”

I could be. Or I could be being sarcastic. Or I could be being snarky. Or I could honestly believe this. Or I could just be being ornery. That’s the thing about social media and public posting of opinions….one really doesn’t know, but we can always speculate. It’s the great “Wild West” of bloviating. (And all of this was all of that.)

Wed, 06/24/20

Because as of today (June 24), Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina has issued a mandate requiring them whenever one is out in public. I have expected this for several days, but now its official. On Monday, I asked our Office Manager to order a supply of masks, which she has, and they are expected to arrive on Friday. So, like it or not, we’re all going to be wearing masks this Sunday. I’m curious to see how this is going to work, but we will give it our best effort.

G. N. Barkman

Wed, 06/24/20

[G. N. Barkman]

Because as of today (June 24), Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina has issued a mandate requiring them whenever one is out in public. I have expected this for several days, but now its official. On Monday, I asked our Office Manager to order a supply of masks, which she has, and they are expected to arrive on Friday. So, like it or not, we’re all going to be wearing masks this Sunday. I’m curious to see how this is going to work, but we will give it our best effort.

It is our understanding that Cooper’s order does not effect churches. There is also a specific exemption for those who are engaged in public speaking. We do not intend to change our current practices on masks at this time unless we get some clearer legal directive.

Thu, 06/25/20

Where can we get clear and reliable legal directive?

G. N. Barkman

Thu, 06/25/20

[G. N. Barkman]

Where can we get clear and reliable legal directive?

I’m just working off the actual Governor’s Executive Order. (It’s online.) I will tell you, however, since I posted yesterday, I’ve got significant disagreement on my Elder Board and the debate rages on. There are three of our eight who feel very strongly about mandating masks — though, interestingly, none of the three have returned to our “live” services to this point and I doubt they would even with masks. In 35 years of ministry, this has been the most challenging 4 months of trying to maintain unity in ministry I’ve ever experienced. It literally changes hour by hour many days.