The Banner Elk SDA Chuch in North Carolina are planning on opening their church this Sabbath. They had planned to open last Sabbath, but didn't on account of technical issues with their audio-visual equipment.

That was an interesting read as I went through all the different posts in this link. One thing for sure is that this virus situation has caused a divide between those who hold different views about its seriousness and the proper reaction to dealing with it. There is so much conflicting information and even that changes from day to day so that the stand we take yesterday might be different than the stand we take tomorrow. Who do we believe?
As to churches being closed. In some ways this could be a blessing as hopefully it has caused some who rely totally on the pastor and church fellowship for their spiritual food to do some studying of their own. I say hopefully because I am not sure this is the case. Unfortunately the truth may be closer to people being glad they do not have to wake up early on Sabbath to prepare for church and then having the rest of the day to do what they 'really' wanted to do on Sabbath instead of attending church. Sad but true.
But for those who are serious about their faith this may have caused them to consider how easily their freedoms can be taken away and whether they are ready to deal with what is coming in the future. I know this is my experience.

Well its not just that, the Conference called the pastor and others and told them that you basically have to put on a full body suit to clean and sanitize and everyone will have to follow all what they want which includes not allowing anyone with small children, and insurance wont cover the churches for this. So it looks like they really wont let churches meet. There really is no way to meet, you would have get geared up like a hospital or get hazmat protection.


Here is some of the things we are seeing..."
Would you come back to an in-person church service starting in July, if...

1. Practice Social Distancing throughout church facility
2. Everyone over the age of 3 is required to wear a mask (our praise team and pastor will not be wearing masks while on platform. They will maintain social distancing throughout the service)
3. Touch-less hand soap dispensers in all restrooms
4. Touch-less hand sanitizers throughout the church facility
5. Temperatures taken with touch-less thermometers while attendees remain in their vehicle
6. Attendants to open doors and sanitize handles throughout the worship service
7. No Sabbath School, Potlucks or Communion until further notice
8. Offering will be collects at the doors upon exiting the service, to avoid passing an offering plate. Other options include dropping your tithe envelope in the secure tithe box in the Narthex (lobby) or using the only giving app Tithe.ly.
9. All carpets have been professionally cleaned recently
10. Church will be sanitized after every service.
11. Smaller rooms will be available (with TV to view service) for those that are high-risk (though we encourage all high-risk attendees to remain at home if they do not feel comfortable being in the main worship service).

Rick, is it a mandate or a recommendation? Is it written? What is their authority for saying so?

If no authority, and only recommendation, say, thank you for your advice and we will take it into consideration.

Isn?t it odd that BLM/Antifa protesters are allowed to gather by the thousands in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, even a paid group traveling to small towns such as Innisfail, Alberta protested on Saturday June 13! There was no social distancing! The concerns of local residents about out of town protesters gathering in their town during a supposed government lockdown, were dismissed as racist! But, church services are too dangerous...
Do you still believe churches should close because of the pandemic?

How about churches which require reservations upon reopening?

Imagine a visitor being met at the door, "I'm sorry sir, I don't find you on the reservation list".
Last time they'll come to church!
Who would have thought, churches being private clubs. Hmmm.... Maybe many...

Masks aren't required, but requested as a courtesy.
"I see you are being non-courteous."

California has some huge demands!
Churches were beginning to open but now are being slammed shut again.

California Governor Newsom Bans ALL...Meetings, Singing, and Church Gatherings

Under Governor Newsom?s latest directive, residents of California can engage in protests and riots, but cannot house a Bible Study with a friend or neighbor.

And yes, there are people whose job is ?to oversee and coordinate the efforts to monitor state and local policies and, if necessary, take action to correct them.?
In other words -- a home Bible Study group can find themselves raided by police and possibly thrown in prison, OR pay a hefty fine. Seems we've heard about things like that happening in totalitarians countries -- like the former USSR and China.

I couldn't see anywhere where you couldn't have a friend over for Bible study.

And as an FYI, your statement "Under Governor Newsom?s latest directive, residents of California can engage in protests and riots, but cannot house a Bible Study with a friend or neighbor." was lifted directly from the article and should have quotation marks around it.

And it looks like outdoor church is ok.


HMWYBS

You're right --
"Under Governor Newsom?s latest directive, residents of California can engage in protests and riots, but cannot house a Bible Study with a friend or neighbor."
-- was a statement in the article --

So can't understand why you didn't see this new directive forbids home Bible Study groups, and if someone hosting such a group in that area, can find themselves raided by police and possibly thrown in prison, OR pay a hefty fine.

I don't know, but when someone lists a link and a paragraph text right below it, one could assume that text came from the link in some way, no?

What does the statement you are questioning mean to you?