Alberta Church Defies COVID Rules to Hold Sunday Service in Solidarity with Jailed Pastor

LifeSite News ^ | 2/25/21 | Anthony Murdoch

[marshmallow]

Church leader says they ‘cannot comply with rules that make what we essentially do as a church impossible.’

ALGARY, Alberta, February 25, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) — In solidarity with Alberta Pastor James Coates who is in jail for preaching to his flock amid lockdowns, another faith leader defied COVID rules restricting service sizes with a service held last Sunday, saying we “cannot comply with rules” that make “what we essentially do as a church impossible.”

“We understand the dangers of COVID-19 but we also understand the dangers of policies that seek to reduce the spread of the virus. All must admit that the lockdowns and restrictions have been damaging,” said Tim Stephens, who serves as Senior Pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Calgary in a press release sent out Sunday.

“We are not against all rules and health measures. However, we cannot comply with rules that make what we essentially do as a church impossible. And to be clear, it is … Jesus Christ, not civil government, that defines what is essential for the gathered church.”

Fairview Baptist had previously been cited with a total of seven violations by Alberta Health Services (AHS) inspectors in January. His church was fined $1,200. AHS claimed that Fairview Baptist was not observing rules around attendance size, and that most faithful were not wearing masks, which is mandated by the government.

This past Sunday, in defiance of Alberta COVID rules which limit church gatherings to 15 percent capacity, Fairview Baptist held a service — and vowed to continue to do so.