Dear Relevant Church Family and Friends,
I pray this letter finds you well, safe and blessed of the LORD. With so much going on in the news regarding the re-opening of the marketplace and, in particular…churches, I want to update you on the status of our in-person worship & fellowship gatherings.
With respect and appreciation for those churches that have been working with, and even challenging, our state government, as well as, the statements made by our Commander and Chief, President Donald A. Trump, we will not be opening in-person gatherings in the very near future.
We stand with and support the plans of many of our brothers and sisters in Christ, pastors and church leaders who are making immediate plans to re-open. We wholeheartedly support their decisions to do what is best for their congregations. Many of them have concerns and challenges that we simply cannot even comprehend. However, we simply do not have the space logistically to warrant a return to in-person fellowship, at any capacity at this time.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8
These are truly uncertain and unprecedented times that we are living in and your safety and the safety of all others is our utmost concern. And even though times are uncertain; our God is not!
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
We are taking a “watch and pray” approach and will continue to monitor the situation. Our church has actually flourished under the “Shelter in Place” ordinance. The virtual services have actually allowed us to reach even more people, with more consistency than before. We remain healthy as a church and we expect that to continue, by the grace of God. Many, if not all, of our members and regular attendees have been able to transition to online services and we have even added a lot more. Thank you for your faithfulness, generosity and support!
With this said, we are drafting strategic plans for a safe return that will include some variance of interval stages, proper implementation and adherence to Public Health & Safety Guidelines and continued digital discipleship. We are staying up to date with the CDC, the World Health Organization, San Bernardino County, the City of Fontana and others to determine each next step.
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” – John 9:4
I would also like to encourage you with a word of caution. While we may be seeing the signs of the “End of Days,” be careful what you listen to and focus on. As one could have easily predicted, there is a lot of information floating around concerning this pandemic; prophesies, predictions, the mark of the beast, etc. I would admonish you to proceed with caution, if you must. I will not debate the validity of any it, at least to the point to where it becomes a distraction. We need to keep the main thing the main thing…preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ! We have been in the “Last Days” since the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and Jesus gave us this warning…
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Matthew 24:36
It is not for us to figure out the times, it is for us to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Such things may be thought-provoking and enticing, but what profit does it actually bring? I would encourage you to use any of that information and energy towards spurring unbelievers towards Christ.
“Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds”
– Proverbs 27:23
Finally, as your pastor, I am concerned about you. If you are experiencing any form of discomfort, grief, anxiety, or depression surrounding this quarantine and the inability to fellowship, I want to extend and opportunity for pastoral care. If you would like to set up a meeting with me, please email us at info@relevant-church.org so that we can set something up; either by home visit, in-person at The ARC or other safe location or virtually.
“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.” – Haggai 2:9
In closing, I want to encourage you once more. We are coming out BETTER than we went in! Make good use of this time. Value any extra time with your families, take up a hobby, learn a new skill, finish a project or do that thing God has called you do with Dating Faith! Choose FAITH over FEAR and “Be anxious for nothing…” (Philippians 4:6) The LORD will bring us through and we “…shall come forth as pure gold.” (Job 23:10)
Sincerely,
Pastor Chuck Henderson
Relevant Church Inland Empire
