Update April 24, 2020

Dear COGC Community,

I pray this finds you well and in the grasp of God’s grace! Here are a few updates and resources.

COVID-19

We are continuing to follow the President’s and Governor’s task forces for information and direction. I am involved with a group of executive pastors and administrators from 20+ churches in our area that is developing and sharing best practices for walking through and out of this season of the stay at home directive. In addition, I am participation in a number of webinars and conversations with online church consultants, Christian legal advisors and national church leaders. I am working on our own sanitation and gathering best practices for when we are able to gather again.

It is still too early to say with precision when it would be wise to gather again. I have heard estimates of late May to July. We may be able to stair-step up with smaller groups at first. Please continue to pray for God’s wisdom for us. In the meantime, please follow the guidelines for social distancing, hand washing, etc. including following the (click here) CDC How to Protect Yourself & Others

Resources

Here are some links to excellent resources that will serve you well:

  • Corona Virus and Christ – This link will take you to an outstanding book Dr Piper just published. It is available to download to read or hear. Dr. Piper’s Desiring God ministry reached out personally to Sovereign Grace Churches to offer free hard copies of the book for our family of churches. We have ordered hard copies that we will make available when they come. I’ve read the book and highly recommend it.
  • Creative coronavirus help – World Magazine This is a good resource for ideas and inspiration.
  • Link to Virtual Instruction – Navigating Online Resources and Child Safety PDF – This is a helpful guide to avoid sexual predation online for teacher and parents of students doing online studies from Greg Love and Kimberly Norris at MinistrySafe. We use the training and guidelines from MinistrySafe for security in our children’s ministry. This resource was provided to us via Sovereign Grace Churches.

You are on my heart and in my prayers,

Pastor Bert