NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Great Commission Ministries President Bishop Walter Hanchell has suggested the government has prioritized businesses promoting vices over the church, as he joined calls for the prime minister to lift restrictions.
“The concern that the church has is the way the country is being opened up,” Hanchell said, in a statement today.
“Almost every type of business including liquor stores and gambling houses have been permitted to operate before the church.
“The church is an essential service in The Bahamas and should be given priority over businesses that promote vices.”
Hanchell said: “I call on the competent authority to please sir, reconsider your treatment of God’s Church. Allow the doors to open freely with safety guidelines. It is the right thing to do.
“Almost every type of business, that are not essential services, are being opened, while the church lingers,” he said.
The resumption of worship services is slated for Phase 2 of the government’s plan to ease restrictions and reopen portions of the economy.
A 24-hour curfew and closure of international and domestic borders has been in place since March 23.
Churches canceled services and closed their doors just days later.
Bahamas Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander said parishioners can expect a “new norm” once restrictions are lifted.
Fernander suggested the new protocols will see churches discourage high-risk parishioners, the “very young and the very old, and those with underlying co-morbidities”, from attending services.
Churches will occupy around 30 percent of their space, implement six feet markers at entrances, and consider seating arrangements, he said.
Sanitizing stations will also be established, and churches will ensure members continue to wear masks during worship.
Today, Hanchell added: “May God protect the Bahamas. May COVID-19 new cases end.
“May the public follow the health regulations in this crisis and practice social distancing, wearing clean masks and keeping hands cleaned.”
He continued: “May our economy be revived and may people returned to their jobs. May food and shelter be made available to every person residing in the Bahamas in Jesus name.
“Finally, may God bless the government and people of the Bahamas.”
I guess the church losing money too. I’m so fed up with the term new normal, and I am very disappointed in the church that they are willing to be a part of this societal brainwashing. If people were allowed to live and pursue the traditional aspects of their lives there would be no pandemic. In fact without the government and media telling people we are dealing with a pandemic nothing would have changed in the way we lived our lives, but following and consuming media in large amounts and naturally depending on government for leadership and guidance we find ourselves here in this current state of being controlled, by fear and ignorance. There are no new normals with God nor his word and that is why we must watch and pray. If the church is a non profit organization and the lives of people are so important I don’t see a need to hear complaints about whether they the last to open but then again I can understand from the perspective of light bills , rent space and all of the fancy vices that the modern day church has become accustomed to. So in closing I say stop trying to use and mock God.
My opinion is that the churches are still closed because it operates on Sundays, which is one of the full lockdown days. Churches are not eager to open so they can get the Gospel to the people, they are eager to collect money. If it’s all about God’s word, they will hold services inside their homes via social media. The disk jockeys did it and they had thousands watching.
Churches should remember that GOD is in control and I think the church building is exactly what he wants closed. It’s disgusting the way Pastors are handling this situation. Physical churches are exactly where people can catch the virus in close contact. Even the pastors may have the virus and pass on to congregation.
The Government is saving them from themselves. Stay home and pray or have virtual church.