![]() Pastor Rick Warren: This is about loving your neighbor ĭespite the controversial stance MacArthur has taken, many other Christian leaders have applauded his efforts to fight for the church and its right to worship however it deems necessary. ![]() More recently, journalist Julie Roys published an article about another potential outbreak at GCC that has yet to be reported or formally acknowledged by the staff of the church. Still, pictures and video from GCC’s services throughout the summer show people sitting inside the sanctuary in close proximity to one another, and the majority of people are not wearing masks. MacArthur said, “we want to make people feel welcomed.” The church pledged to provide hand sanitizer, masks, and water to those choosing to sit outside. Additionally, the church added outdoor seating in August to accommodate around 1,000 people. MacArthur emphasized members can continue to stay home and watch the live stream if, for instance, they have compromised immune systems. A statement from GCC’s legal team claimed “the LA Times and others’ grossly misleading and fear-mongering headlines aim to mischaracterize Grace Community Church as irresponsible and a superspreader.”Īt other times, MacArthur communicated that the church wasn’t unsympathetic to those members who don’t feel comfortable meeting in person. Calling the congregation’s gathering, which was technically forbidden, a “ peaceful protest ,” MacArthur maintained his belief that the majority of government officials have overplayed the virus and that it doesn’t represent much of a threat to people.Īfter the church showed up on Los Angeles county’s outbreak list in October, again MacArthur and his legal team downplayed the threat of the virus, saying that the church was being targeted for their religious beliefs. In July, GCC opened its doors for in-person worship after holding remote-only services for several weeks during the initial stay-at-home order in California. MacArthur has also had some success while fighting a multi-pronged legal battle against state and city officials concerning the meeting restrictions placed on houses of worship in southern California. John MacArthur of Grace Community Church (GCC) in Sun Valley, California has made headlines this year by claiming “ there is no pandemic ” and that churches who choose not to meet in person “ don’t know what a church is and they don’t shepherd their people.” MacArthur has taken to Fox News to disseminate his belief that churches should be considered as providing an essential service and that to deny a church the right to meet in person is to deny religious freedom. Pastor John MacArthur: This is about religious freedom
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