How will you respond?

San Diego County officials shut down home Bible study

County official interrogates pastor and his wife

May 28, 2009

A San Diego pastor and his wife have been told they cannot have a Bible couple says they were interrogated by a San Diego County official, then threatened with ever increasing fines if they refuse to stop the Bible study.

According to the couple's attorney, they were questioned about the Bible study. "'Do you have a regular meeting in your home?" The pastor's wife replied, "Yes." "Do you say 'amen'?" the official asked. "Yes," she replied. "Do you pray?" Again she said, "Yes." "Do you say 'praise the Lord'?" Another "Yes." The official told the pastor and his wife they were in violation of county rules.

The Bible study usually has an average of about 15 people.

A few days later they got a written warning that listed the home Bible study an "unlawful use of land." They were notified to "stop religious assembly or apply for a major use permit," which could cost them thousands of dollars.

Could a small poetry club meet regularly in a home? Apparently, yes. What about a Cub Scout meeting? Evidently, yes. What if they meet regularly to watch Monday Night Football? Obviously, yes.

(Hi, received this in an email some time ago, and I was rather shocked. I began this “Thought” at the time, but was interrupted before posting it. Just came across it and decided the ideas are still valid.)

Wow! Could it be possible that any level of our government would consider interfering with a Bible Study in someone's home? I know it happens overseas. In fact, when I lived in Jordan there was a period of time where the government prohibited all religious gatherings within homes. But here, in America? Interesting!

We have been blessed for so long with religious freedom that I'm not sure we can imagine what it would be like to have that freedom compromised. What if we were facing a time when we could no longer worship or gather together in His name. I'm not trying to frighten you with some doom and gloom scenario. Christians throughout history have faced these challenges; Christians around the world are facing them now. There is no reason to suppose that we will never face such a trial. But I'm wondering what our response will be.

I remember a long time ago hearing a news report of Christians gathered outside of an abortion clinic trying to rescue the unborn. The reporter focused on how difficult it was for the women to walk through those Christians to receive the 'help' they needed. At the time, I remember wondering how many Christians would be willing to walk through the midst of a protesting, angry mob to go to church. Would we be willing even to break the law to gather together? Would Americans be willing to risk their lives to worship together?

What I am asking you to consider is your relationship with the Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, and with the Church? How important is it to you? How important would it be if it were to become difficult, even life-threatening, to live out that relationship? You could say, "Well, I don't have to gather together with other believers to be a Christian or to have a relationship with God. I can pray, read my Bible, and follow Him on my own." The Bible states plainly that we do need to gather together; we need one another in our relationship with Him. Paul uses the body as a picture of the Church, emphasizing how much we need one another. A hand or an eye or a toe cannot remain viable on its own for long, it will die. Even so, a Christian trying to live the Christian life on their own will find that life becoming stale, dry, and dead without the other parts of the body.

Recently, our church held a “Small Groups Fair” to introduce the new small group studies that were starting up for this fall. Our tables were spread out through the sanctuary so that attendees could walk around and gather information on the available groups and choose one that would be their opportunity to become connected within the body to other members. It was interesting to watch as the service ended how many just walked out without even considering becoming involved.

I overheard one of the couples that were visiting the different tables lament that fact that their schedules were so busy that they just did not know how they could possibly fit in one more thing. I totally understand, believe me, I know how crazy life has become for all of us. But I want to ask you, where are your priorities? I understand, you want your children to be involved in sports that will teach them life-skills, you have clubs and activities that add so much to your life, and then there is the very necessary family time. But have you considered how ultimately important fellowship with other believers really is? How important the spiritual growth and development of you and your family are?

Sunday morning service is amazing! It offers us opportunity for corporate worship as a body, we hear messages that encourage and direct our walks in the path of righteousness, and we are given the privilege of presenting our tithes and offerings to the Lord. The one thing Sunday morning lacks is the opportunity for deep and personal connection with other believers, along with the growth and development only such connection provides. This is where small groups come in, providing the personal connection, the encouraging support, and the opportunity for Holy Spirit to manifest Himself to you through the gifts He has given to others (not even to mention the opportunity for you to experience God as His Spirit manifests through your life in the gifts He has given you). As I have already stated, God created His body specifically to draw us to one another, to make us interdependent on one another.

Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him [that is] alone when he falleth; for [he hath] not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm [alone]? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecc 4:9-12

We need one another. Along with the priority of our relationship to God, we also need to give priority to our place in the body. Right now we have the freedom to come together. We have the opportunity to be a member of the living body of Christ. If we don’t see the value now, will we see it when/if it becomes a life and death decision?

Just another thought on this article:

When we are faced with an "unfair or illegal" attack on our “freedoms,” how should we respond? An article I read as I checked out this story, said that there were some calls for picketing, for harassing county officials, for jamming local call-in station's phone lines. Another article said that Blogs were running with this story and that one even (supposedly) suggested the best positioning for snipers. I mean, could this be true? Surely the more outrageous of these ideas did not come from the Church of our heavenly Father. Our hearts would NEVER consider snipers or violence. Any response to the world’s attempts to limit our ‘freedom’ should always be expressed with the heart and mind of Christ.

Love,

Ev

One thing have I desired and that will I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in His tablernacle. Psalm 27:4