Rio Grande Church Pleads for Right to Communal Worship

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RIO GRANDE – On Sunday, the Rio Grande Bible Church did not defy the restrictions on gatherings of more than 10 individuals. Pastor Jeffrey McLeod instead Livestreamed his service on the church’s Facebook page. Thus far there have been 562 views and 146 comments to the video.
The church had held a drive-in service two weeks ago in which parishioners participated in Sunday worship while inside their automobiles parked at angles to each other in the parking lot. Windows were cracked to hear the service amplified with speakers. According to McLeod, no cars were within 10 feet of each other in order to maintain appropriate social distancing. McLeod was informed after the service that gatherings of this type were in violation of the emergency restrictions in place to combat COVID-19.
The sermon for McLeod’s Livestream service this week focused on his outrage at there being no arrangement for full communal worship of his flock under the new regulations. “Liquor stores are open, beaches are opening, parks are now open and church is still an unnecessary function. There is something wrong here!”
As parishioners streamed amen along the Facebook feed, McLeod spoke of the First Amendment right to religious practice. He explained that he was working with lawyers from the Christian Law Association trying to find “a peaceful solution” to the issue of communal worship. “I want to be sure we have turned over every rock, made every attempt at reconciliation, before we take more drastic steps,” McLeod said.
McLeod reiterated his desire to maintain proper social distancing. He feels the threat of the virus is real. Yet, he also feels deeply that an accommodation must be found for the constitutionally-protected right to worship.