Service Cancellations, Streaming Services, and Zoom Gatherings
For the foreseeable future services at Wornall Road Baptist Church have been cancelled. We will re-evaluate opening services as state guidance changes later this month and the next. We will be streaming our services through Facebook Live. Please see those our facebook page for our services each week.
Additionally, weekly small group meetings and church gatherings will be taking place through Zoom. Please email Mark for more information at mark@wornallroad.org.
3/14/20
Dear Wornall Road Baptist Church,
While in prison the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi: I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Phi 4:12-13). Whether all is “normal” or there is an international pandemic and a national state of emergency, peace and contentment can be ours in Christ. This is such an unprecedented time in our lives and sometimes that can cause fear and anxiety. We don’t want that to be the case. As Christians, we can even be content in this situation. Christ is our Sovereign.
Since my last email a couple of days ago a lot has changed with recommended response to COVID-19. Matt, Adam, and I met this morning to chat through our options based on the information we have. We concluded that we should cancel our equipping classes and corporate gatherings for at least the next three Sunday’s along with our bi-monthly evening gathering. The continuation of growth groups are at the discretion of the leader/participants.
We want to provide some reasoning for our difficult decision.
First, KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas has declared a State of Emergency until March 31. Parades, conferences, and even the lucrative Big 12 basketball tournament has been cancelled. These are prized KC staples that bring in a lot of revenue for our city and uphold rich traditions. These cancellations elevate the seriousness of the situation (money talks).
Second, County Executive Frank White Jr. has said that Jackson County will ban all events with 250 people or more. While this doesn’t apply to KCMO, it does apply to all eastern Jackson County. And this tells us that the county executives are encouraging even smaller gatherings to not meet.
Third, Governor Parson of Missouri has declared a State of Emergency.
Fourth, Governor Kelly of Kansas has issued an emergency declaration for the State of Kansas.
Fifth, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the “virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”)”. “The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person in close contact (within 6ft) through respiratory droplets and is most contagious when they are most symptomatic” however “some spread might be possible before people show symptoms and on contaminated surfaces and objects.” These preventative measures are difficult to maintain even with the size of our group and children present.
Sixth, we are blessed with medical professionals in our church. After discussions with them, it seems prudent to not gather together for the next few weeks.
Seventh, many churches have also decided to cancel services. We’re not unique in our decision-making.
Services
We are attempting to figure out how to best serve the church in this area. For tomorrow we will not have any live or recorded feed. This week we will be discussing how to move forward. For this Sunday we encourage you to have extended time in the Word, and maybe even join Third Avenue Baptist Church’s (Louisville, KY) live-stream.
Watch at this link: https://thirdavenue.org/stream
Advisory Committee
Moving forward we will evaluate and assess the wisest way to operate as a church during this unique season. For now, we have established a COVID-19 advisory committee. It sounds so professional! Nathan Sanderse, RoseAnn Scheller, Jamie Rouch, Ben Harstine, Matt Obenhaus, Adam Hermann, and I will weekly be discussing how to move forward. As many of you know, Nathan is a physician at KU-MED, RoseAnn is an ER pediatrician at Children’s Mercy, Jamie is a pharmacist at Children’s Mercy, and Ben is in medical school at KU. While Matt and Adam are not in the medical profession, they both work for large organizations that need a good pulse on the situation (Cerner and US Department of Agriculture). We are very blessed.
Remember our Church Covenant
We can still strive to fulfill the commitments we’ve made to one another. Call to check in on someone, send a message of encouragement, or exercising precaution, wisely check in on people. Remember to still walk together in love as Christ commands, caring for one another, watching over one another, and encouraging and admonishing one another as occasion requires. Our complete church covenant can be found on our website and in the membership directory.
Financial Giving
61% of our monthly giving is not given online. That means for a majority of you, your normal opportunity of giving in the offering plate will not be there. In line with our church covenant, please continue to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, and the spread of the gospel to all nations. You can drop off checks to the church office or in the mail slot if no one is there, or consider giving online (much easier for the church overall!)
Give online here: https://wornallroad.churchcenter.com/home
"Flattening the Curve"
This decision is not motivated by fear, but as best we can tell, it is the prudent decision. We want to join efforts with the nation and especially in our own community, by helping to flatten the curve. This is one way we can love our neighbors during this extraordinary time. As Pastor Greg Gilbert from Third Avenue Baptist Church said: "We are not canceling our services because we ourselves, as Christians, are afraid to get sick or even afraid to die. God forbid! “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Rather, we are canceling because we believe it is imperative for us to be a part of our society’s response to this virus that, at best, will be serious for the most vulnerable, and, at worst, could put even more people at risk by creating a severe and sudden spike in demand on our health care system." Remember who is on the throne. Remember you have his word in your language and in your home! Therefore, this is a unique opportunity to give a reason of the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).
We love you dearly church, and ask for your prayers as we navigate the days and weeks ahead.
On behalf of the elders,
Mark
3/14/2020
