Next Steps
We’ve been overwhelmed by how truly gracious and compassionate the Lord has been through the many COVID-19 challenges. Our online worship services are reaching people on six continents. Many in the VBC family are meeting together in groups on Sundays and other days to connect, grow, and serve. The unsaved are viewing our online resources and are hearing and responding to the gospel. And financially, God provides for us abundantly through the faithfulness of His people who worship by giving. The Spirit is moving profoundly among us, and tenderly caring for us.
A special thanks to all of you who completed the VBC Check-in Survey this past week. Your feedback is very helpful to us as we navigate through the many decisions that need to be made in eventually reopening our campuses. Some of you are eager to begin meeting again in our church buildings immediately –– and yes, we all look forward to that day! For a wide variety of reasons, others among you are in no hurry to reopen our doors, according to the survey –– and we completely understand this position, too.
As for our governing authorities, Alameda County Public Health Officers have determined that due to an increase in those hospitalized with the virus in our county, worship services in church buildings aren’t yet permitted. Even though the state of California made concessions and suggested that places of worship can meet with very strict limitations with only up to one hundred people, Alameda County is not allowing for churches to do so as of yet.
As the Body of Christ, it’s our priority to glorify the Lord in moving forward. We do this in a variety of ways. We delight in the beauty of the gospel and the truth of His precepts. We care for the people of God as well as those outside our church family. We’re subject to those in authority and to represent Christ well in our community. We celebrate the privilege to worship Him fully and freely. Therefore, for the time being, we won’t be hosting worship services at either of our campuses. We want to reassemble as soon as possible, but not if we’re under so many restrictions that the fellowship and worship God intended for us is obstructed and distracted.
With all of that in mind, here’s how we’re moving forward at this time:
· We’ll continue to offer online worship services each week (vbc@home) and encourage everyone to participate in a Sunday Connect Group during or after the service
· We’ll carefully monitor national, state, and county guidelines about any changes being made that affect us
· Once shelter in place has been lifted, we’ll first encourage families, groups, and guests to gather in homes to worship together, following the prescribed restrictions of the local authorities
· When we’re given permission and the restrictions aren’t as rigid, we’ll eventually reopen our doors. Anyone attending one of our worship services will be expected to honor the guidelines that will be in place at that time, even it means only a limited number of people will be able to gather at a time.
If you have questions about any of this, please don't hesitate to get in contact with us. You can always reach us by email at elders@vbc.online or admin@vbc.online. There are also phone numbers on our website if you prefer to call.
We’re so grateful and encouraged by all the support you’ve provided the VBC leadership, the VBC family, and even our community during this unparalleled time in human history. Please let us know how we can care for and support you.
And if you didn’t get to fill out the survey and would like to do so, go to vbc.online or the VBC app and you can still fill it out.
We love you all and are honored to serve the living God alongside each of you!
The VBC Elders