COVID Update

In-Person Gathering:

We are now gathering in the Lottes Building at 1411 Adams Avenue. There is ample space to spread out.

• We understand there may still be differing levels of comfort and conscience when it comes to gathering in groups. Our desire is to walk with both grace and courage to serve people at every level and stage. We would humbly ask you to extend a similar level of grace to us as we seek to wisely, conscientiously, and courageously navigate a post-COVID world. Please feel free to contact Pastor Tanner directly with any concerns or questions.

Masks and Distancing:

We recognize the importance of minimizing the spread of COVID and we also acknowledge the essential nature of gathering as a church as outlined in Scripture.

• If gatherings seem "too lax" for you, please jump online through the Christ Church YouTube Channel to catch previously streamed services. A significant amount of time and money have been invested to create a quality online experience for you.
• We are not yet able to live-stream in our new gathering space but sermon audio will be available through various podcast platforms each week. 

A Word on Conscience, Fear, and Mission:

We recognize there are different responses to the COVID pandemic and some lasting fears and feelings about the last two years. As a Church we have always sought to walk with integrity, charity, grace, and a missional mindset through this season. Please consider the following.

• For those adamantly against mask and distance policies: We would ask you to consider priorities and liberties with regard to what is communicated by a particularly strong stance here. When you remove yourself from Church and community for non-biblical reasons (ie, political) you are harming yourself and your witness, and you are also harming the Church and community. Consider what this reveals about your highest priorities and our God who alone is your ultimate source of freedom and who has commissioned you as missionaries in His world. 
• We would not ask you to transgress on a matter of conscience if that's truly the case. But we would ask you consider Jesus who set aside eternal glory to put on human form in order to carry out His mission to reconcile lost sinners to Himself. Jesus carried your sin as well and He wants to work through you to reach others. We believe there are also missional reasons to demonstrate care for one another and honor governing authorities so that the issue of "masks and distancing" would not hinder Gospel work. We are each being stretched and grown through this experience and we would want you to stretch and grow with us as we walk obediently and graciously in the sight of all.

• For those adamantly in favor of ongoing mask and distance policies: We would ask you also to consider priorities as well as what "safety" really means. No one here is disputing the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. AND, there are additional aspects of human "health and safety" which are vastly important to our well-being. This includes spiritual health, mental health, emotional health, and relational health. As real as this virus is, sin is still the greatest problem for mankind and Jesus is still the only answer.
• We would not ask you to put yourself at undue risk but we would ask that you consider Jesus who endured the cross to His very death so that He could give you eternal life in Him. Jesus put Himself directly in harm's way to His own death on your behalf and He did this with great joy for you. We believe there comes a point where gathering with the saints is a matter of faith trusting in God who always has your best in mind. For many, social distancing has morphed into unhealthy isolation and it will feel like tremendous courage when you begin to step out of isolation again. We are each being stretched and grown through this experience and we would want you to stretch and grow with us as we walk obediently and graciously in the sight of all.

• For those on both ends of this and every place in between: Let's walk with humility in our own hearts and with grace toward each other as we seek to make Jesus famous in our city. This has been a year we will all talk about thirty years from now. Consider what kind of stories others will tell of you. Will they say you were a lot like Jesus in those days? Will they say you demonstrated tremendous gentleness and care? Will they say you spoke as one who has eternity on your heart? We would ask you all to consider these things and with both courage and grace to gather with us to worship Jesus and rebuild relationships as men and women on mission in the Kingdom of God.