Reopen Manitoba churches petition gathers strength

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This article was published 10/02/2021 (1639 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A petition calling on the provincial government to allow in-person services at churches is gaining support with about 6,000 signatures as of press time.

The petition, which is posted in such a way that those who sign are not shown publicly, is organized by a group called Reopen Manitoba Churches. Four churches make up that group, including Cornerstone Bible Church in Steinbach, Grace Covenant Church in Altona, Grace Life Church in Beausejour, and Redeeming Grace Bible Church in Morden.

The petition includes a simple statement.

“Biblical and historical Christian worship includes in-person gathering for the purposes of: hearing the preaching of the Word together, singing together, praying together, practicing the Lord’s Supper and baptism together, greeting one another,” it says. “Churches in Manitoba should be able to gather in person without fear of penalty. We ask that this precious freedom be immediately restored.”

Cornerstone Bible Church Senior Pastor Eric Honsberger said it’s been tough to see how his congregants are affected by the ban on in-person worship.

“We’re very explicitly created, not to be alone, but to live in community with one another, which most certainly does not mean to live in digital interaction over the medium of a screen,” he said.

Describing connecting in-person as “vital for the walk of the Christian life” Honsberger said everyone from the very young to the very old are affected negatively.

“It’s definitely challenging,” he said of ministering to his congregation under current restrictions. “A huge part of our shepherding of people comes through seeing the whole gathered body week in and week out on the Lord’s Day.”

This is the second petition the group has circulated. The first took place in June 2020, and was a longer statement. It did not make the impact on Premier Brian Pallister the group wanted.

When questioned about it, Pallister told reporters that churches don’t make health policy, asking them “to have a little faith” in government attempts to slow COVID-19.

Honsberger is hoping for a different reaction this time. The group plans to keep the petition active, but present the government with the current signatures toward the end of this week, in time for changes to be made.

“The basic hope from the outcome of the petition is that the province would pull back restrictions on the church, that we would be able to gather in person,” he said.

Honsberger said he’s received plenty of support and some push-back from others. “There’s quite a bit of engagement,” he said. “People are very glad to be able to voice their desires, their opinions on this matter.”