Yesterday marked the first time that I had the chance to testify before a judge on matters related to the enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions. Up to this point, two charges (one contempt of court and one criminal charge for breaking a court order) that sent me to jail twice for a combined stay of 21 days were withdrawn. Besides these charges, six public health act violations were levied against me and one against the church. The church matter will be handled separately but I was ready to defend the six accusations against me for failing to comply with masking, capacity limits, and physical distancing as we gathered for worship in obedience to Christ. On Wednesday—the day before the trial—four of the charges were withdrawn. There were discrepancies in their evidence that would have made a conviction unlikely. Therefore, heading into trial, I was to answer for two public health violations for contravening physical distancing rules.
The trial went well. In fact, it was an enjoyable experience.
Two bylaw officers testified first. What was notable about their testimony was how they portrayed our congregation and interactions as welcoming, respectful, friendly, and professional. The prosecution pressed them on a number of occasions to describe our interactions and our “tone.” I was thanking God that it was made known how our church family acted with charity and grace toward these officers in volatile circumstances.
As I took the stand, I was able to explain our convictions to respect medical choices and give grace to each other’s convictions during a time when families, churches, and all of society experienced deep divisions. What I had said on Twitter regarding vaccines and in some of my sermons were brought before the court. This gave me an opportunity to recap some of my teaching on Romans 13 and explain a message I preached called “Resisting Tyrants.” I also had the opportunity to explain God’s supremacy over all creation which grounds human dignity and enshrines his law above every other law. Rather than sounding scandalous, I explained this is historic Christian teaching as well as the conviction of our commonwealth and the founding fathers of our federation. When the prosecution began to ask my convictions regarding same-sex marriage it became clear that we had drifted far from the matter at hand.
The questions from the prosecution also provided me a chance to correct what must be a common misconception of the church—that a pastor rules as an authoritarian who controls every aspect of the gathering. I explained that my role as a pastor was to teach the word of God. It is the word that is the authority. I’m just the messenger. I have no authority to force behavior or compliance regardless if it be God’s law or man’s law. Rather, church ministry is one, not of coercion, but of persuasion where people are convinced through the word and the power of the Spirit to obey what they see in divine writ.
In the end, as closing arguments were given, the judge seemed reasonable and thoughtful. He reserved his decision to a written response scheduled for release at the end of October. So we’ll continue to wait on the Lord, trusting that his will will be done.
The Lord is faithful. Always has been. Always will be.
Any attack against the church has only served his glory and the advance of his kingdom.
He is worthy.
“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness” (Psalm 26:1–3).