Never did I think that a ban on church locations could possibly be a good thing for the name of God. Perspective plays a role here, semantics and even longevity. But once having made headline news for six months in the dailies in NYC -- somebody is going to notice.
Bill A8800 bans churches from renting public schools beginning last February 12.
Elected officials thought that they were doing well politically. But apparently God is winning the popular vote.
Past by the state legislature some time ago, A8800 only recently is being put into action. Last week, the polls were 54% to 7% against the bill.
I've been confused about the whole thing and sought information from the media, pastor and the Internet. Only one thing was clear, February 12. That was the date the churches had to be out of the schools.
ECC was not in school that day! We were in Home Group celebrating worship services in three apartments that day. Our normal is bi-weekly Home Groups meetings and bi-weekly joint meetings at Muscota School.
Most churches are now left without facilities and are now scrambling to locate something. Creative measures are fascinating and sad at the same time. Costs are a major factor.
One church in the Bronx got a ten day reprieve.
One church met in the streets. (And vows to continue meeting there.)
Several have combined. A few have disbanded.
We are blessed to continue in our location.
As explained to me, in order to stay at the school, we now call our time a "teaching" period rather than a "worship service." We teach songs and prayers, bible reading and even give speeches. According to A8800, as written, these activities are allowed.
The bill becomes more confusing as to what acts of worship are actually banned. And what is to happen next.
Watching an entire body respond to governmental degrees about how they should and should not worship is a history lesson to me -- like that of the first church under Roman rule.
Only a taste-bud of an inkling of what they dealt with in order to praise God causes me to rejoice that this silly bill has seen daylight. God's name is in bold print in NYC. People are singing in the streets and demanding He be praised aloud.
The effects of this bill will last for years. Every child in every school and family unit is already asking why, what's going on, did I do wrong? The conversations begun between teacher and students, board members and administration are about the entire affair, what action should or should not happen plus community hearings.
One thing the NY State Senate is right about, God does not need to pay rent to be in public schools.
Bill A8800 bans churches from renting public schools beginning last February 12.
Elected officials thought that they were doing well politically. But apparently God is winning the popular vote.
Past by the state legislature some time ago, A8800 only recently is being put into action. Last week, the polls were 54% to 7% against the bill.
I've been confused about the whole thing and sought information from the media, pastor and the Internet. Only one thing was clear, February 12. That was the date the churches had to be out of the schools.
ECC was not in school that day! We were in Home Group celebrating worship services in three apartments that day. Our normal is bi-weekly Home Groups meetings and bi-weekly joint meetings at Muscota School.
Most churches are now left without facilities and are now scrambling to locate something. Creative measures are fascinating and sad at the same time. Costs are a major factor.
One church in the Bronx got a ten day reprieve.
One church met in the streets. (And vows to continue meeting there.)
Several have combined. A few have disbanded.
We are blessed to continue in our location.
As explained to me, in order to stay at the school, we now call our time a "teaching" period rather than a "worship service." We teach songs and prayers, bible reading and even give speeches. According to A8800, as written, these activities are allowed.
The bill becomes more confusing as to what acts of worship are actually banned. And what is to happen next.
Watching an entire body respond to governmental degrees about how they should and should not worship is a history lesson to me -- like that of the first church under Roman rule.
Only a taste-bud of an inkling of what they dealt with in order to praise God causes me to rejoice that this silly bill has seen daylight. God's name is in bold print in NYC. People are singing in the streets and demanding He be praised aloud.
The effects of this bill will last for years. Every child in every school and family unit is already asking why, what's going on, did I do wrong? The conversations begun between teacher and students, board members and administration are about the entire affair, what action should or should not happen plus community hearings.
One thing the NY State Senate is right about, God does not need to pay rent to be in public schools.
