California Pastor Sues County After Being Fined $220K for Holding Services

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Pastor Mike McClure of San Jose’s Calvary Chapel, along with more than 3,000 other churches California churches with a total membership of more than 2 million people, defied California Governor Newsom’s shutdown orders on May 31, 2020 by holding church services. McClure’s church has racked up some $220,000 in fines from Santa Clara County for violating the governor’s mandates against indoor meetings. McClure is suing the county to contest the fines and to also challenge officials’ right to require the churches to maintain lists of attendees at their services and turn them over to the government whenever demanded.

When Pastor Mike McClure of San Jose’s Calvary Chapel agreed to open his church on Pentecost Sunday (May 31), he joined with more than 3,000 other churches defying California Governor Gavin Newsom’s shutdown orders. He said, “We’re called to be together. Man doesn’t have the right to close the doors. God doesn’t want us to isolate ourselves. All of us need to be in the sanctuary.”

And then he added a warning to Newsom: “I don’t care what they say. I’m never again going to close the doors, ever.”

McClure’s church first opened in 2001 and enjoys a thriving membership of more than 1,000 people. His church is one of nearly 2,000 similar evangelical congregations in an association that grew out of the Jesus Movement in Southern California in the 1960s. His church also has racked up some $220,000 in fines for violating the governor’s mandates against indoor meetings.

It’s one of more than 3,000 churches in California, with a total membership in excess of two million people, that agreed to reopen on Pentecost Sunday. The leaders chose that particular day because it celebrated the beginning of the Christian church when 3,000 converts were added in a single day, according to the Book of Acts in the New Testament. The reopening on the anniversary of Pentecost made it fitting for a “rebirth” of the church after being shut down by orders from Newsom.

Mark Brown, another California pastor, said at the time that Newsom “needs to step back and he needs to declare that the church is an essential part of what we do as Americans, as what we do as Californians.”

Instead, municipalities have stepped up attacks on a few of the larger churches, perhaps hoping to intimidate them into compliance so that the other smaller congregations will go along.

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Ren
Ren
2 years ago

Start sueing the attorneys that are giving advice to elected officials. Elected officials often have immunity against being sued. Attorneys are personally responsible for their advice to elected persons and do not have immunity. TEST THEIR MALPRACTICE INSURANCE…!!!

Jim
Jim
2 years ago

No good reason for a shutdown:> > cdc states covid19 tests don’t exist – cited in German lawsuit – ((there are two links: The video. and the referenced CDC document found hidden on the FDA website)) > > https://www.brighteon.com/cb101719-5bcf-4447-9298-887b8c2afbb9 > > > > Starting at appro 24 mins in this video, the speaker states: > > > > ‘pcr tests are not approved for diagnostic purposes and are incapable > > of diagnosing any disease. > > > > Page 38 of one of the cdc’s publications on the coronavirus: ((https://www.fda.gov/media/134922/download))> > ((page39 states that there is no isolated virus))… Read more »

Marina
Marina
2 years ago
Reply to  Jim

Agree, same for Canada here. As to the tests – usually there is statement right on the boxes with tests that they’re not for the testing but for the research.

Shiloh4910
Shiloh4910
2 years ago

Not the most appropriate photograph to cover the story but great to finally see a Pastor with a pair!

Good and faithful servant, may this fellowship be a beacon to the world to challenge the Covid lie!

Bob
Bob
2 years ago

God’s Word is clear; ” Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is …” Hebrews 10:25