Jump to content
  • Welcome Guest

    For an ad free experience on Online Baptist, Please login or register for free

Pastor Matt
Pastor Matt

Baptist Church Tent Meeting Draws Concern from the Community



Published:

The first night of a week-long old fashioned tent meeting by Anchor Baptist Church in Astoria Oregon was a success as around 30 people attended. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the reaction of a tent meeting by the community raised plenty of concerns over the safety and well-being of those attending. Pastor Byers of Anchor Baptist Church assured the community and the city that all safety guidelines from the CDC will be followed. Anchor Baptist seemed to go above and beyond those extra measures.

When a guest arrives, they are directed to a separate tent for temperature checks, and to log their name and address for contact tracing in case someone in attendance tests positive for Covid-19. All guests are required to wear masks and each family is seated 6 feet apart from each other. The sides of the tents were also up so that there can be a constant breeze flowing through.

Due to the concern of the community, as evident from the comments on the City of Astoria’s Facebook page, Mayor Bruce Jones stopped in and found no reason for concern as all the public health guidelines from the CDC were being followed properly.

Many in the community wishing Pastor Byers church would delay or cancel the event as the pandemic is reaching new heights across the country. The event started Sunday and runs through July 19.

It seems as we reach new heights with positive Covid-19 results, that churches are starting to feel the pressure from the communities for having their doors open. As long as churches take precautions and do what they are supposed to do without compromise to Scripture, I say keep on keeping on.




User Feedback

Recommended Comments

It seems to me that not only were all of the prescribed medical precautions were in place, but they went beyond that was expected of them by the CDC. Also, even the mayor, Bruce Jones, saw no concern. May the Lord bless the efforts of the Anchor Baptist church with souls saved, the saints encouraged, and to be a testimony of the leading of the Lord in the times of distress.

Share this comment


Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can be sure that the "concerned community members" would not have attended under any circumstances.

Hebrews 10:25 (KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Share this comment


Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/14/2020 at 9:39 PM, Jim_Alaska said:

You can be sure that the "concerned community members" would not have attended under any circumstances.

Hebrews 10:25 (KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

That is a very broad brush you use in your comment. I do not think it holds. The church I attend is to have a social distancing picnic. It will be in the parking lot. Everyone is to bring their own food and distance themselves from others. Still, I have concerns, especially at my age and I will not go. I would happily be there if it were not for Covid-19. 

Share this comment


Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bill, I am not sure what you are getting at in response to my post. My text was simply a personal observation regarding community people who probably were not members of that church. My quoted Scripture was my own agreement with Scripture concerning church services.

I was not pointing to "anti-social distancing" or any of that other stuff. My church observes social distancing and makes provision for it, it also provides masks for those who want them.

Personally, I only have a problem with government trying to close, or even demolish a church building because its members want to continue meeting during this Covid 19 mess, as Scripture directs.

Share this comment


Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, Jim_Alaska said:

Bill, I am not sure what you are getting at in response to my post. My text was simply a personal observation regarding community people who probably were not members of that church. My quoted Scripture was my own agreement with Scripture concerning church services.

I was not pointing to "anti-social distancing" or any of that other stuff. My church observes social distancing and makes provision for it, it also provides masks for those who want them.

Personally, I only have a problem with government trying to close, or even demolish a church building because its members want to continue meeting during this Covid 19 mess, as Scripture directs.

The broad brush was suggesting that none of the concerned citizens would attend. I am not sure that is true.

Share this comment


Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see nothing wrong with the tent meeting and they did everything possible to keep it safe. Yes the church should be concerned about the physical health of folks but not at the expense of their spiritual health. In most cases we can balance both but when we can't what shouldn't be sacrificed is people's spiritual health. We are strangers and sojourners in this land who have been commanded to preach the gospel.

Share this comment


Link to comment
Share on other sites

I personally know Pastor Byers and his wife from when they lived in NJ. Great couple that love the Lord and they would not anything to put his folks in harms way.

Share this comment


Link to comment
Share on other sites

A Christian camp I spent time at as a young man had a week of tent meetings one year. Some great memories and great preaching. We would get pretty loud too and in that valley it really echoed. Setting up the tent was a real challenge though.

Share this comment


Link to comment
Share on other sites



Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




×
×
  • Create New...