91Ƶ

Skip to content

Langley church fined for holding in-person Sunday service

Calvary church was fined $2,300; pastor says 91Ƶteam of lawyers91Ƶ being consulted
23474790_web1_201129-LAT-church-fined-PUSH-chapel_1
Langley RCMP issued a $2,300 fine to the Riverside Calvary church in Langley in the 9600 block of 201 Street for holding an in-person service on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, despite a provincial COVID-19 related ban (Dan Ferguson/Black Press Media)

A Langley church has been fined $2,300 for defying a provincial ban on holding services ordered by the provincial health officer.

RCMP were called to the in the 9600 block of 201 Street around 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, to investigate a report that in-person services were being held.

Cpl. Holly Largy said officers found an in-person service was in progress.

91ƵThey [the church members] were given an opportunity to disperse, which they declined,91Ƶ Largy said.

That was when the fine was issued.

Police made a second trip to the church later in the day, but found there was no in-person service in progress, only a virtual one.

A ban on indoor events was ordered on Nov. 19 in response to an increase in COVID-19 transmission in B.C.

READ MORE:

At the location, one church member, who did not want to be identified, called the ban an example of government 91Ƶoverreach91Ƶ but did not fault the police for enforcing it.

91ƵI understand they91Ƶre doing their job, but it91Ƶs excessive.91Ƶ

On Monday afternoon, Nov. 30, pastor Brent Smith replied to a Langley Advance Times request for comment by saying the church was getting legal advice and hinting there will be a court challenge.

91ƵWe have a team of lawyers that are preparing a statement and will be representing us on these matters,91Ƶ Smith said.

91ƵWe certainly are not looking for a fight, we just believe there has been many inconsistencies with what is essential and we simply desire to worship our Lord in a safe and Biblical way.91Ƶ

Online, the church website describes it as an 91Ƶevangelical Protestant church91Ƶ that is affiliated with the Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, a California based mega-church with 30,000 members.

It went on to say that 91Ƶwe believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, that the Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, infallible Word of God.91Ƶ

READ MORE:

Two churches in Chilliwack have defied the order, saying it is a violation of the Charter of Rights.

Pastors at Chilliwack Free Reformed Church and Free Grace Baptist Church held services on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22, two and three days after such gatherings were banned.

91ƵThe identification of what is and what is not an 91Ƶessential service91Ƶ is certainly open for interpretation, but in short, we believe that churches are essential, and that Christians are commanded by God to attend public worship,91Ƶ Pastor James Butler of Free Grace Baptist commented.

91ƵOur convictions compel us to worship our God in the public gathering of his people and we must act in accordance with our conscience,91Ƶ Pastor John Koopman said.



dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter



Dan Ferguson

About the Author: Dan Ferguson

Best recognized for my resemblance to St. Nick, I91Ƶm the guy you91Ƶll often see out at community events and happenings around town.
Read more



(or

91Ƶ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }