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Dear Respected Leaders within the State of Minnesota: Tim Walz - Governor of Minnesota, Ben Schierer - Mayor of Fergus Falls, Kile Bergren - Chief of Police of Fergus Falls, and Barry Fitzgibbons - Otter Tail County Sheriff

It is time for state officials to work with local communities to reopen our churches in a manner that takes into account local conditions and protects public health. We believe we are safest when we work together at the local level to take actions that reflect the conditions in our community.

As you know the First Amendment to the United States Constitution assures citizens, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” [1]

After much patience in this challenging time, we need to inform you that Minnesota State authorities are violating our constitutional and foundational American rights to freedom of religion, liberty, and right to assemble. We know that this is a difficult time to govern, and we respect and appreciate the extremely challenging position that our leaders are in. Moreover, we know that decisions were motivated by a desire to be thoughtful of our neighbors and community.

Loving our neighbors is a core tenet of our faith, and so we wholeheartedly support that. To be clear, we intend to operate safely in our community, and have chosen to temporarily comply with the governor’s suspension of our ability to assemble together. However, spiritual gatherings should be given the same essential consideration as any essential business or restaurant.

We believe our local Chief of Police [2], and Mayor agree [3] that we can implement protocols that allow for the reopening of our churches safely in our community. The current considerations to limit church gatherings to 10 people or less [4] continues to have a great impact in preventing us from doing the work God has called us to. We believe that churches and organizations who choose to reopen are able to demonstrate that they can observe safe and cleaning guidelines to minimize health risks and therefore should be allowed to operate within the CDC guidelines. [5] 

In this environment of isolation, we are learning the most vulnerable among us are at greater risk and abuses such as domestic violence and others are increasing. We are having a very difficult time even assessing who may be in need, whether spiritual, financial or emotional. We believe that being ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ’s love in the lives of these individuals is essential to both their well-being and us living out our faith.

In sum, the church does not fulfill its mission without the ability to assemble in person in community with one another, even if that assembly is required to adhere to strict heath guidelines for a time. Considering our rights as Americans and our religious conviction that we are called by God to care for people in person, we ask you to make a change and issue necessary guidelines that allow local churches to resume our freedom to assemble and our essential operation as a church that ministers in our local community. Each local church will have to make the decision on when to reopen and how to reopen, but should be grated this right. Our hope is petition will foster a tension that encourages leaders to negotiate and confront the issue. [6]

Thank you and know that we are praying for God to give each of you wisdom!

- Pastor Tim Molter at Calvary Chapel Fergus Falls, MN

1. https://constitution.findlaw.com/amendment1/annotation05.html#f178 Abington School District v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203, 222 -23 (1963).

2. https://www.facebook.com/288759788348542/videos/589543488350205/ Live Q&A w/ Chief Bergren and Greater Fergus Falls

3. https://www.facebook.com/groups/FFNEWS/permalink/2544470405868061/ and https://www.ci.fergus-falls.mn.us/index.asp?SEC=F6C4BE6B-77AB-4FB4-8E6E-68E95D772892&DE=98E282CD-604E-493F-9D02-F9882B02C848&Type=B_PR A Message from the Mayor of Fergus Falls, Ben Schierer

4. https://mn.gov/governor/covid-19/news/#/detail/appId/1/id/431924 Stay Safe MN: Governor Walz Remarks on May 13, 2020

5. https://www.pacificjustice.org/resources/for-churches/legal-and-safety-checklists-to-reopen-church/download-forms-to-help-your-church-reopen/ Pacific Justice Institute, Legal and Safety Checklists to Reopen Church

6. http://timothymolter.com/2020/05/11/some-more-thoughts-about-civil-disobedience/ Some More Thoughts About Civil Disobedience by Pastor Tim Molter