FPCO Church Reopen Plan - Dr. David Swanson
May 27, 2020
Dear FPCO Family and Friends,
“Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25
I would imagine the author of Hebrews had encountered plenty of challenges before, but he never gave up on meeting together and the importance of encouragement in difficult times. I have not given up on it either, and I want to encourage you in this email as I try to answer some of the questions that you are asking.
First, I have never been more proud of this congregation as I have in these last two months as you have taken “living missionally” in your families and neighborhoods to new places! From volunteer relief work to Zoom Bible studies to artistic expressions to bringing groceries to our elderly to generous donations, you have brought honor and glory to God by your witness. I am deeply grateful.
As to our future plans, EVERYTHING is online right now. Yes, we know the church of Jesus Christ is not a building but a people, and you are my people, “my tribe,” as I said in worship last year. I yearn to see you, to be with you, to hug you and shake your hands, to offer the expressions of love which we are accustomed to. I understand that you are feeling that way as well, and I pray we will allow that yearning to draw us more deeply into Christ and His Word.
While I am eager for us to worship together in person once again, I am not willing to do so in a way that leaves huge swaths of our congregation behind or that foolishly risks our health and safety. That’s why our plans for reopening will be guided both by biblical truth and scientific input. Biblical truth because our church mission is grounded in the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39) in which Jesus tells us to love God and love your neighbor as yourself. That love includes protecting one another from being infected by COVID-19, while still meeting people’s spiritual, emotional, and practical needs. We will do everything within reason to ensure that our facility and protocols provide the best possible safeguards for the time when we gather again.
Scientific input because we must listen carefully to what scientists and healthcare officials are learning about this disease and how it spreads. And, of course, we will consider carefully the guidelines of our state and federal authorities, as well.
With all that in mind, we are now planning for future gatherings. Naturally, these plans are contingent on the overall health of our local community and the surrounding areas as the statewide restrictions begin to lift. Basically, we will follow a 3-phase plan to re-open. Right now, we are in Phase 1: everything is online and the building is closed to visitors and minimally open to staff who aren’t vulnerable to health risks, but we’ll insist they follow strict guidelines to ensure mutual safety.
At Phase 2, when gatherings of 50 or less are allowed, we’ll use our network of small groups and community groups to encourage worship together on Sunday morning. We will resource the host family with helpful tips. This will also allow us to continue reaching out to neighbors and inviting them to share in worship with us.
Prayerfully, by God’s grace, we could find ourselves in Phase 3 by mid to late summer. In-person church worship services and programming will resume gradually, but we will still practice physical distancing. Many aspects of life in our building will be different in order to be as safe as possible, and those practices will be communicated to you well ahead of resuming.
If you have any questions about our plan, please reach out to me at DSwanson@fpco.org. We want your mind to be at ease as we navigate these uncharted waters.
Finally, it bears repeating that we simply don’t know what the future holds. We hope and pray that God will continue to protect us and our loved ones, we pledge to continue serving those in need, and we look forward to a time when we can gather together as one Body to worship our glorious Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! With fond affection and love for you, I remain --
Under His Mercy,
Dr. David D. Swanson
Senior Pastor