(The Christian Post) Pastor Mike McClure of Calvary Chapel San Jose, who is facing fines of at least $350,000 and now a lawsuit for holding indoor services since May 31 in violation of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s restrictions on churches during the COVID-19 pandemic, says he’s “called to preach the Gospel.” Acknowledging the fines and legal challenge, McClure told his … [Read more...] about Calvary Chapel in San Jose Faces Lawsuit, $350k Fines for Indoor Services
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NC County Closes Church After 6 Die, 181 Positive for COVID-19
(ChurchLeaders) Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris has ordered a church in Charlotte, North Carolina, to close for two weeks after at least six people have died in connection with a COVID-19 outbreak linked to the church. In addition to those deaths, there have been 181 positive cases and 10 hospitalizations (including some people who were put on … [Read more...] about NC County Closes Church After 6 Die, 181 Positive for COVID-19
Report: Megachurches Continue To Grow and Diversify, Steer Clear of Politics
by Bob Smietana (RNS) America’s megachurches have continued to thrive over the past five years, attracting more worshippers, becoming more diverse and opening new locations. A pre-pandemic, national survey of megachurches from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found the median megachurch draws about 4,100 attenders to its worship services, up from about 3,700 … [Read more...] about Report: Megachurches Continue To Grow and Diversify, Steer Clear of Politics
‘Well Known Pastor’ Arrested on Flight Not a Pastor, Says Charlotte Church
by Bob Smietana (RNS) A North Carolina church says that a former staff member who was arrested in Detroit two weeks ago for allegedly urinating on a fellow passenger on a plane was not a pastor at the church. Murray and Ash Smith, pastors of Catch the Fire church in Raleigh-Durham, told Religion News Service in an email Saturday (Oct. 31) that the church "was shocked and … [Read more...] about ‘Well Known Pastor’ Arrested on Flight Not a Pastor, Says Charlotte Church
Church: California City Violated Its Rights During Pandemic
By BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) When other church leaders protested coronavirus shutdown orders, saying they were following the word of the Lord, pastor Joe Garcia said he followed the word of the law. He held services online for months during coronavirus restrictions and later his Pentecostal flock socially distanced outside the Word Aflame Tabernacle … [Read more...] about Church: California City Violated Its Rights During Pandemic