Evangelicals: Can you explain to me the desperation to open churches?

[Anonymous]

Donations not as high during zoom sessions

[Anonymous]

I'm evangelical. Our church in MD is not pushing to open. We did get a survey asking about our comfort level of returning, how to handle children, etc. According to our pastor the tithing and donations are continuing. In fact we doubled the community giving that the tithes and offerings support to help with challenges due to COVID-19.

For me there is nothing like corporate worship. It's hard to explain, but when you experience the presence of God as a group it's AWESOME! Online meetings and home Bible study have an important role, but it is different than corporate worship. That may be why some are eager to return. I saw many people suggesting that it was due to money. That may be true, but when you tithe it is a part of your lifestyle so many continue to give even though they are not in a building for church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm evangelical. Our church in MD is not pushing to open. We did get a survey asking about our comfort level of returning, how to handle children, etc. According to our pastor the tithing and donations are continuing. In fact we doubled the community giving that the tithes and offerings support to help with challenges due to COVID-19.

For me there is nothing like corporate worship. It's hard to explain, but when you experience the presence of God as a group it's AWESOME! Online meetings and home Bible study have an important role, but it is different than corporate worship. That may be why some are eager to return. I saw many people suggesting that it was due to money. That may be true, but when you tithe it is a part of your lifestyle so many continue to give even though they are not in a building for church.

There's something about live theatre too, and a baseball game, but I don't plan to go to ether one any time soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same reason I want my yoga studio to reopen. That’s my church. People need their places of peace and sanctuary. Especially during these times. I think it’s reasonable if they can operate at minimum capacity and adhere to other guidelines to keep people as safe as possible.

This. People want their sense of community back in whatever form that might be. They also want to give the smug liberals who are bankrupting families and businesses the middle finger. Just like how democrats couldn’t see Hillary losing, I think they are blind to how this will all play out.

I agree with this. It's a symptom of having such a left left wing... that the right feels the need to go more right to counteract it. And when you start feeling hate for a group of people that you feel are threatening you in some way (e.g. what the vast majority of democrats feel towards conservatives) then you get blind to things. As the PP said, HRC supporters couldn't even comprehend the idea of Trump winning last election, even though moderates like myself could see it happening. In this case, the church-goers are so frustrated by the impact of the extended shutdowns that they just want everything back to normal, ESPECIALLY if that's what the democrats don't want, even if sitting in a room full of people is the last thing they should be doing right now.

I am really trying to understand this. Are you saying that people feel that they have make choices that they know are bad for them (sitting in a room with people per your post) because the liberals made them do it? Would you accept that line of reasoning from your teen? I wouldn’t accept it from my toddler throwing a tantrum although I might understand it.

People want to do it, and then knowing that their 'enemies' would hate the idea is like icing on the cake.

and when they contract the virus, they will pray about it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money. People aren’t mailing in enough checks.

Our giving has ironically been the highest ever. We aren’t concerned about money at all.

Also, OP remember that “evangelicals” on TV are a whole different type of evangelical than the people in your community. 99% of us are not crazy!

Money is not pouring in. Funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money. People aren’t mailing in enough checks.

Our giving has ironically been the highest ever. We aren’t concerned about money at all.

Also, OP remember that “evangelicals” on TV are a whole different type of evangelical than the people in your community. 99% of us are not crazy!

Money is not pouring in. Funny.

Ya know, several people here have posted that the money is flowing at about the same rates. Yet you keep claiming the opposite. Why?

[Anonymous]

Churches are struggling. Just bring the money back in. If a few get sick it will be okay.

[Anonymous]

For the evangelicals I know, it's about control; they don't feel like anyone should be able to tell them that they can't go to a church building to worship. They also don't believe in wearing masks, for the same reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the evangelicals I know, it's about control; they don't feel like anyone should be able to tell them that they can't go to a church building to worship. They also don't believe in wearing masks, for the same reason.

Wonder how they feel about Trump holding up their holy book in front of a church last night?

[Anonymous]

so much for congress shall make no law..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the evangelicals I know, it's about control; they don't feel like anyone should be able to tell them that they can't go to a church building to worship. They also don't believe in wearing masks, for the same reason.

Wonder how they feel about Trump holding up their holy book in front of a church last night?

I’m evangelical and think it was disgraceful. My church is not opening up yet.

[Anonymous]

For the same reason people want everything else be open - their Home Depot, their hair salon, their favorite restaurant, or their church. Some people claim they need it, some say they simply want it, many people miss it, some people are just bored without it.

I think only the Catholic church has a doctrinal requirement for worship, but others may have other requirements that can only be met in religious settings. Some people feel truly bereft without active participation their faith. It hurts me to see that mocked by so many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm evangelical. Our church in MD is not pushing to open. We did get a survey asking about our comfort level of returning, how to handle children, etc. According to our pastor the tithing and donations are continuing. In fact we doubled the community giving that the tithes and offerings support to help with challenges due to COVID-19.

For me there is nothing like corporate worship. It's hard to explain, but when you experience the presence of God as a group it's AWESOME! Online meetings and home Bible study have an important role, but it is different than corporate worship. That may be why some are eager to return. I saw many people suggesting that it was due to money. That may be true, but when you tithe it is a part of your lifestyle so many continue to give even though they are not in a building for church.

I don't know any evangelicals desperate to open churches. Most are aware of the infections from they other houses of worship early in March and don't want to
duplicate that in the congregation.

The term "desperation" in the question mocks religion.

[Anonymous]

I think people are just lonely. Church is a comforting place for many where they have lifelong friends, a sense of purpose, reassurance. Many of the larger churches have their own scout troops, sports teams, summer camps, or special needs ministries too which are helpful to parents struggling to balance having kids home 24/7. That was all ripped away, and is more important to most than a nail salon or a baseball game, both of which people are also begging to reopen.

I'm no longer evangelical or even Christian after a lot of internal struggle, but it doesn't take rocket science to see why zoom meetings are not as helpful to people as in person services and activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money. People aren’t mailing in enough checks.

Our giving has ironically been the highest ever. We aren’t concerned about money at all.

Also, OP remember that “evangelicals” on TV are a whole different type of evangelical than the people in your community. 99% of us are not crazy!

Money is not pouring in. Funny.

I never said it was pouring in, just that it's higher than ever. We are also baffled by it, but it is what it is and we are thankful for it!