Local
Cornerstone Church Will Hold Indoor Services Despite Newsom’s Order
Pastor Jim Franklin of Fresno’s Cornerstone Church plans to hold indoor services Sunday at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
“We will have masks on to protect those around us, but nothing’s going to stop us from worshiping God,” said Franklin on the church’s social media pages. “Cornerstone Church will be conducting worship services, because it is the right thing. It is the proper thing. It is the necessary thing to do. Yes, church is critical.”
“Cornerstone Church will be conducting worship services, because it is the right thing. It is the proper thing. It is the necessary thing to do. Yes, church is critical.”–Pastor Jim Franklin, Cornerstone Church
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday widened the list of businesses that must shut down indoor operations in counties on the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list, which includes Fresno and other Valley counties.
Businesses affected include fitness centers, churches, personal care services, hair salons and barbershops, malls and “offices for non-critical sectors,” the governor said.
Reasons for Staying Open
Franklin explained the reasons and strategies for his plan to keep the congregation meeting indoors:
- The welfare of the congregants
- The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few (who have come down with COVID-19 in Fresno County)
- The Constitution grants the right to worship
“If people have the right to protest, why do they not have the right to gather together and worship?”Franklin asks rhetorically.
Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld says he’ll attend Cornerstone Church this weekend as a show of support.
“Newsom has no data to back up his edict to arbitrarily close churches, restaurants, salons, and other businesses,” said Bredefelt in a statement to GV Wire℠. “If masks are so effective, why didn’t he order criminals in prison to wear masks and not release them? The fact is the silent majority can no longer be silent.”
“Newsom has no data to back up his edict to arbitrarily close churches, restaurants, salons, and other businesses. If masks are so effective, why didn’t he order criminals in prison to wear masks and not release them? The fact is the silent majority can no longer be silent.”–Fresno City Councilmember Garry Bredefeld
Outdoor Worship
Some churches have opted to hold services outside in parking lots or grass fields to avoid the indoor issue altogether.
Franklin doesn’t see that as an option in Fresno and says it’s discriminatory because some churches don’t have the ability to hold services outdoors.
“It’s 100 plus degrees out there right now, we’re in the dead heat of summer,” says Franklin. “(Some churches) don’t have a park area; they don’t have a plaza area; they don’t have a parking lot area to be able to do that.”
Mental Health Needs
Health officials worry the longer the health crisis continues, the greater toll that it may take on the mental health of the people of Central California. Franklin says that churches are best positioned to provide support for people in a time of crisis.
“There’s no one that could deny from the experience and from the statistics that those who attend church services have more peace within their life more happiness in their life,” said Franklin. “They find a place at church to be able to get answers for that right now. When people are looking for hope, church is where they can find hope.”
The Fresno County Health Department doesn’t disagree with Franklin about the issues of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and the role the churches can play. Interim health officer Dr. Rais Vohra addressed this and the church opening during a zoom call with reporters Wednesday afternoon.
“We’re continuing to dialogue with faith-based organizations, and we’re going to be talking exactly about this (indoor services) with them on Thursday,” said Vohra. “But the state order saying what it does, that’s going to still hold as the mandate we need to abide by here in the county.”
Vohra says people are experiencing a great deal of anxiety and sadness during some of the restrictions related to the pandemic. He believes that moving things online or outdoors is the best way to move forward at this time.
Federal Lawsuit
In May, Cornerstone Church church joined a lawsuit in California’s Eastern District Federal Court against the county of Fresno health director, the state of California health director, and the governor of California. Cornerstone Church will be represented by Advocates for Faith & Freedom, Tyler & Bursch, and The National Center for Law and Policy.
[rlic_related_post_one]GV Wire℠ spoke with Pastor Franklin by phone Wednesday and inquired about the status of the lawsuit. “It’s still in process, it’s got a long way to go,” he said.
In May, a federal judge in Sacramento ruled that Newsom had the right to ban church assemblies in the interest of public health during the coronavirus outbreak.
Ben
July 15, 2020 at 4:41 pm
The Bible says to obey all the rules and regulations of the government of the land obey them and yet you despise the laws of the land God is going to destroy your church destroy Mr. Franklin destroy bad very bad you might go to heaven you might not go to heaven but whatever the reason is you’re doing this God gonna be the judge and you’re going to feel his judgment
Linda
July 15, 2020 at 5:35 pm
It seems a lot of Christians pick and choose what serves them out of the Bible. What happened to obeying the laws of the land?? Looks like pastor Franklin is following in the steps of our president….He is the WORST example of a Christian ever.
N. Williams
July 16, 2020 at 6:52 am
I concur….
Melissa
July 15, 2020 at 6:54 pm
I absolutely agree with you !!
KOVID
July 15, 2020 at 11:02 pm
Your lack of education in conjunction with your ignorance is truly comical.
Bryan
July 15, 2020 at 11:39 pm
Ben, its Pastor Franklin
Bill Thacker
July 20, 2020 at 10:52 pm
The life of Jesus Christ was anything but “Obedient” doesn’t sound like Ben has read the bible and is into passing judgment . Pastor Franklin speaks for all us believers in Christ. This is attacking of the church and doesn’t mention mosque or temples. Newsom is on a crazy power trip and the far left hate Christians, hence the destruction of many churches and crosses throughout the USA.
Those that want to …go to church and exercise caution. Those that don’t feel well or that feel their life is in risk …stay home. Funny how riots in large packs is ok but not worshiping our jesus christ.
Blatant prejudice against Christians. Bring it on Newsom and the cowards at Fresno City Hall send in the clowns (Code Enforcement Officiers) let them arrest the entire congregation after all there is plenty of room in the prisons and will be more by the end of August as 18,000 more criminals are released.
Gee if masks work why not put masks on prisoners instead of releasing them and increasing our crime 300%
If masks and SIP works why are box stores still allowed to pack them in while the small independent businesses continue to be harassed . Funny don’t see the illegal street vendors, or food trucks being confined .
Wait till Fresno needs more money donated to support the food banks and feeding the needy. Newsom is pure evil. We don’t answer to him we answer to Jesus Christ.
Darrell
July 15, 2020 at 5:46 pm
“Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s; render unto God what is God’s”
Matthew 22:21
Hahahaha
July 15, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Wow, not even denominational. You’re a joke. Don’t be surprised when you and your trump supporting attendees are hospitalized. I will be sure to report you and ensure that you are financially responsible for propogating covid 19. You are a joke.
Bryan
July 15, 2020 at 11:40 pm
Ben, its Pastor Franklin
Paul
July 16, 2020 at 10:41 am
Bredefeld and Franlin are all about the almighty dollars and their myopic political views.
Ron
July 18, 2020 at 5:44 am
Although I think they shouldn’t do it if numbers are high, Supreme Law of the Land is the Federal constitution.
The right to peaceble assemble and making no law regarding religion. States cannot and should not override it. Local and state law cannot over ride Federal Law.