In its lawsuit last August against Mr. MacArthur and Grace Community Church, Los Angeles County argued that he had openly defied rules against indoor religious services. 6:00 pm Josiah Grauman Yahweh's Dwelling: Redemption; Exodus 25-40 -30. Brief conversions can be a family affair for generations. Klassens declaration said the photos did not contain nudity. Sign up for our newsletter: Though Cho stepped down quietly, he continued to hear from other women from his former church. But the church contended that it was following safety precautions, including requiring masks and social distancing. Would my sharing sooner have brought about change at Grace Community Church or other churches who follow their leadership model? In that context, the countys legal battle with the church has found its way to a settlement, as houses of worship have gone back to business in the wake of the lifting of many mandates on June 15. Grace Community Church is located in Sun Valley, CA. Fellowship groups are open to adults and families in every season of life. He also said that she twisted the words of one of GCCs leaders for a large adult Sunday school class to create a false impression.. for less than $4.25/month. This year we are studying the Gospel of John, one of the most cherished books in all Scripture. Superior Court of the State of California County of Los Angeles, Shooter at Christian Nashville Elementary School Kills 3 Kids, 3 Adults, DC Talks Drummer, MercyMes Sound Man Unexpectedly Dies, Worship Director Discovers Term Worship Leader Is Trademarked After His Facebook Page Is Suspended, The Onslaught Against Him Is Continual Franklin Graham Calls for Prayer in Light of Possible Trump Indictment, Theologian Albert Mohler Hospitalized After Blood Clots Form in Both Lungs, Youth Pastor Charged With Child Porn Allegedly Used Church Wi-Fi To Access Images, Mark Wahlberg on Why He Decided to Move Family Out of Hollywood: Its Really Giving the Kids a Chance to Thrive, FBI Exposes How Sexual Predators Are Luring Your Kids Through Gaming Online. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. In a letter to supporters of the John MacArthur Charitable Trust, obtained by The Los Angeles Times, MacArthur called the settlement a monumental victory and said there is no circumstance that can cause the church to close. Sun Valley and the surrounding areas continue to have among the highest case rates of Covid-19 within the county, and have for some time, Dr. Davis said, and a gathering of this magnitude will create additional opportunities for Covid-19 transmission, both to the people that attend this gathering and the other people in the community.. Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. Cho, the former elder, said that at this stage, elders must unanimously approve cases that go before the church body a few times a year, during monthly Communion services. Grace Community Church Grace Church App . Eileen Gray was repeatedly disbelieved and accused of being bizarre, which wasnt relevant to the reason for her discipline, and leaders cast doubt on her account despite David Grays history of deceit. He emailed MacArthur and Grace to You executive director Phil Johnson, an influential leader and elder at the church. Cho expected the church to hold itself to a higher standard than even the secular courts. In some cases, like those of Eileen Gray and the woman who agreed to a settlement last month, leaders at Grace Community Church went on to support the men they had accused of abuse in legal cases. Grace Community Church is led by MacArthur, one of Americas longest-standing and most influential pastors. A month after moving back in with her husband at the request of their pastors, she called 911 out of fear during an argument on the road. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. "The church is not only a building but is the bride of Christ and exists to proclaim the truth.". Theres another virus loose in the world, Mr. MacArthur said, and its the virus of deception.. Grace Community Church's lead teaching Pastor John MacArthur submitted a statement to the Superior Court of the State of California County of Los Angeles on April 2, 2021 in which he defended Grace Community Church (GCC) from allegations regarding the church ever having a COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in some congregants dying. Grace, No One Like Him: A Study of Gods Perfections, Thursday, April 20, 2023 7:00 pm8:30 pm. At the core of the legal battle, which played out in the Los Angeles Superior Court room of Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff, was the question over whether there a compelling governmental interest to prohibit the indoor services. The Associated Press. . Months after raising his concerns about a 20-year-old case, Cho discovered another grievous GCC counseling case in the fall of 2022. 818-909-5500. Two other leaders at Grace said they would testify on the wifes behalf, but the couple reached an agreement in January prior to their court date, so none of the pastors ended up needing to testify. In court filings obtained by CT, she stated pastor and elder Rodney Andersen told her that she should submit to her husband as unto the Lord rather than provoke him. To that end, we are looking forward to a day of prayer led by our elders. Image: Video screengrab via Vimeo / Grace Community Church / Religion News Service via AP. M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm 818-909-5500 . The Roys Reportrebutted Pastor MacArthurs court statement and says they do have evidencethat at least one of the GCC congregants who died was attending GCC. Roys also shared that she believes that GCC was aware of a COVID-19 outbreak within their church and shows evidence in herreport. Welcome to Every Womans Grace! I need to fear God instead of man. California's Grace Community Church announced that Los Angeles County health officials have cleared the congregation of causing a COVID outbreak this summer. News and Events They took that closeness that I had with God away. If public safety always outweighed liberty, then wed never have liberty, she told the court at the time, an argument that paralleled with the argument of church attorney Charles LiMandri. Andersens declaration recounts the husband saying during counseling that he and his daughter had touched tongues while they kissed to imitate a scene in a cartoon. A declaration from the other pastor and elder, Brad Klassen, said that the woman came to him concerned about pictures taken by her husband but that she didnt have evidence of the abuse. Our organist, Stephen Sturz, has been ministering to our congregation for 45 years. This undated file photo shows a face mask sitting atop pages of a Bible. County officials then sued the church to require it to comply with COVID-19 protocolsincluding barring large group indoor worship and requiring social distancing at outdoor worship. Instead, he discovered they appeared to be repeating them. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court partly lifted restrictions on religious services in California, blocking a total ban but leaving in place a 25 percent capacity restriction and a prohibition on singing and chanting. The church, led by Pastor John MacArthur, continually defied county health orders over the past year. These allegations specifically came from areportwritten by investigative journalist Julie Roys, the founder of the Christian media outletThe Roys Report. One couple said they observed a counseling session where Shannon failed to advise a member of their family to report a man who had confessed to an incident of child molestation; he also did not direct her to leave him, since he hadnt been convicted. If they had learned that theyd disciplined a man wrongly accused of adultery, wouldnt they want to make that right, even if they found out 20 years later? Each of the women CT spoke with said at some point they considered themselves partly responsible for their husbands behavior or had a church leader indicate they were. Mr. MacArthur has also downplayed the severity of the virus. (Update: Following publication, Grace Community Church released a statement saying that the elders do not comment on counseling and discipline disputes, but that the church deals with accusations personally and privately. They defended their counsel as biblical, saying, Our churchs history and congregation are the testimony.). . God has a way of taking care of us as we love each other and share our germs, MacArthur told congregants, who laughed in response on Sunday. Last year, when he questioned the decision to discipline Eileen Gray, he said fellow elders suggested they just trust the previous leaders who affirmed it. As Cho wrote in a 20-page memo to top leaders at Grace Community Church last March, I genuinely believe it would be wrong to do nothing. Under the agreement, which the board unanimously approved without discussion, the state of California will also pay the church $400,000. [ This article is also available in M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm 818-909-5500 . Editors note: Over the years, some readers have wondered why we publish evidence of wrongdoing by ministry leaders otherwise doing good in the world. On Sunday, MacArthur admitted to congregants that "many people" contracted COVID-19 while it "went through" the church in December and January. He said he needed to talk about a "sad situation." . Our philosophy is that if theres been abuse, you dont put them into a room and expect them both to go through the process of getting the log out of their eyes, said Ken Sande, a Christian mediator who spoke of patterns hes seen over decades of conciliation ministry, not about GCC in particular. Beckloff would ultimately issuea preliminary injunction sought by the county, saying the potential consequences of community spread of COVID-19 and concomitant risk of death to members of the community, associated and unassociated with the church, outweighs the harm that flows from the restriction on indoor worship caused by the (Los Angeles County) health order.. Religion doesnt trump public health and safety, especially under these circumstance, said Amnon Siegel, the attorney for the county during a hearing in September, digging back to historical cases, state and federal, in which courts sided with public health orders on the need for vaccinations. Van Nuys man, West Covina woman arrested in Vanowen Street shooting, Man hired to remove gang graffiti killed, 3 other men injured in Northridge shooting, Eric Claptons Crossroads Guitar Festival is coming to Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, Comedian Sinbad making progress 2 years after stroke, family asks for donations, Gunmen storm Mexican resort, kill 7 people, including a child, California is changing how it goes after illegal cannabis farms, Caught off guard: How South Floridas rare storm compares to others, and where it sits in history, The final encore for Phantom: What the show means to one New Yorker who saw it dozens of times, For Varland brothers, now both in the MLB at same time, a dream come true, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. In February, the high court struck down the all-out ban on indoor services after a series of California churches brought a case. Los Angeles County officials had said that the Shepherds Conference was not a religious service, but a prohibited indoor gathering. Copyright 2023 Grace Community Church. All Rights Reserved. Up to that point, the county repeatedly cited the church, which prompted county officials to seek an injunction requiring the church to adhere to health regulations, saying they were essential to control the spread of COVID-19. According to her account, the trauma and warning signs werent enoughthe pastors wanted evidence of physical abuse, skin to skin adultery, or a conviction of child molestation before agreeing she had biblical grounds for divorce. As we explore this vital account of the incarnation, ministry, and atoning work of . Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, violated the Constitutions protection of the free exercise of religion. Grace Community Church reversed course after Los Angeles County health officials warned that indoor conferences were prohibited and that the event could worsen the spread of the coronavirus. 65 views, 2 likes, 4 loves, 36 comments, 1 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Kainos Community Church: Live from Mevo Originally from Arpelar, Okla., theyre a proud graduate of Oklahoma State University. It is in this spirit of service and love that we send short-term ministry (STM) teams from Grace Church each year to build up and encourage our missionaries, and it is therefore with great joy and thankfulness that we look back on the 2022 STM season. Grace Today is published weekly by Grace Community Church. As a lawyer and one of four officers on the elder board at Grace Community Church (GCC), Cho was asked to study the case. Prayer is vital for the times that we live in todayit gives us an opportunity to share our requests and burdens with our Heavenly Father. For years, they had hoped their submission, their faithfulness in marriage, and their desperate prayers would eventually lead to change in their husbands. Judge gives Grace Community Church, LA County a, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Judge gives Grace Community Church, LA County a chance to settle COVID case, While California lifts mask, vaccine mandates, some restrictions will endure in LA County, After three days of learning loss due to strike, LAUSD offers two bonus days, LA Countys COVID emergency ends tonight; heres what that means, LA County to lift COVID emergency declarations; some residents urged to be ready, Senate votes to end COVID-19 emergency in the US, In push to block Biden judicial picks, GOP revolts against plan to replace Feinstein on panel, Man wore armor in Northern California hostage killing, report says, They spent their lives teaching. He said pastor John MacArthur told him to forget it. When Cho continued to call the elders to do justice on the womans behalf, he said he was asked to walk back his conclusions or resign. "From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County has been committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents.". Black Teenager Shot in Kansas City, Missouri. Whenever he met with or saw elders in person, the case came up in discussion. M-F 8:00 am-5:00 pm 818-909-5500 . Portugus, The more he learned, the more people he talked with, the more the injustice weighed on his conscience and the more concerned he grew about the churchs biblical counseling around abuse. Events on the other side of the country would change that, however, at a cost to taxpayers. Over the next few weeks, our church family has the opportunity to partner with CHF; heres how yo. "We are grateful to the county's faith organizations for their continued partnership to keep their congregants and the entire community safe and protected from COVID-19," the statement continued. ), Whenever I made moves in the direction of the restraining order, it was, Be careful of the heart of retaliation, the woman said. Ryan Carter is an editor for the Southern California News Group, who also writes stories for the group. Aug. 25, 2020 4:37 PM PT. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report in early August saying vaccination offers higher protection than previous COVID-19 infection alone. Cho never imagined himself being in this position and advocating from outside Grace Community Church. Sun Valley, CA 91352, MF 8:00 am5:00 pm One former member of Grace, once excited to move to California to be able to sit under MacArthurs teachings, said the faith that had meant everything to her was destroyed by the way the church treated her when she sought help during and after an abusive, unloving marriage. Its reporting and editing staff cover public safety, courts, local government and general assignment stories. MacArthur considers church discipline a "distinctive" at Grace Community Church, where elders follow guidelines taken from Matthew 18first confronting the accused privately, and then with . In early June, California paid out over $2 million to settle two lawsuits from churches that said the restrictions were discriminatory. Read More Grace Community Church in Sun Valley has been in a legal battle with L.A. County and the state after the church defied COVID-19 mandates prohibiting indoor worship services. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT: European Evangelicals Organize Against Abuse, ERLC President, Covenant Parent Urges Tennessee to Pass Proposed Gun Reform. It's Not the Role of Government to Protect Us From Apps, Don't Put Tiktok Out of Business Based on Hypotheticals, Biden Admin Uses Trump's Own Words to Blast McCarthy's Wall St. Cho said many leaders at Grace Community Church refused to read the Roys Report article. We understand that. How Bethel and Hillsong Took Over Our Worship Sets, Died: George Verwer, Who Asked Christians Are You Ready To Go?, United Methodists Lose 1,800 Churches in Split Over LGBT Stance, Lawsuit: Pastor Judah Smith Expects Staff to Leave a Money Trail, Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds of Pictures of Women, Abuse During Massages, and a Rape Allegation. The elders had publicly disciplined a woman for refusing to take back her husband. The pastor shared in his statement that the handful of congregants who were hospitalized and/or died from COVID-19 from within GCCs 6,000-plus attendees did not get infected at Grace Community Church, because they were not attending services. MacArthur pointed out these people had prior medical conditions and were following strict protocols to avoid getting sick by staying home. For this story, CT spoke with eight women who recounted how they and others at Grace Community Church had been counseled to avoid reporting their husbands and fathers to authorities, to accept their apologies, and to continue to submit to them. Sunday, April 23, 2023 9:00 am12:30 pm County attorneys were not available for comment. The domestic violence officers dispatched to the scene, she said, told her not to return to home. According to her own filing, the photos include pictures of her toddler touching her husbands pants zipper and her face being sprayed with water as well as selfies with the child while she was naked. On the first day of the Shepherds' Conference Wednesday, the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and chancellor of The Master's University, preached about the need for churches to be separate from the world or risk becoming corrupt. After that, Cho said, he was told by elder board chair Chris Hamilton that he would need to walk back his findings about the churchs mistakes if he wanted to remain an elder. . Please login or create an account to use this feature, Learn More | Livestream | Bulletin By Gods amazing grace, the truth of His Word has sounded forth from Grace Community Church throughout five decades of faithful preaching. Just because someone quotes a verse to you and theyre in a position of authority doesnt mean theyre doing it well, she said. In the end, she said, the betrayal of her churchnow her former churchhurt the most. (CTs policy allows victims of abuse to go unnamed for the sake of privacy and safety; her identity and the details of her account have been verified in reporting this story. Its a victory, thankful congregant Leon Felipe said at the time. 914 talking about this. Ahead of the legal payments, the California pastor acknowledged that he and others contracted the virus last winter. LA County modified its health order and lifted the indoor worship ban after the ruling. Thats when I began to realize how many people were ill.. Anyone can read what you share. When my wife and I were asked by a friend to pray for a woman my wife happened to know, she reached out in concern, and we were horrified to discover the same awful patterns of counseling were still happening at GCC, Cho told CT. This is when I sadly came to believe beyond any personal doubt that GCC congregants who we still love could effectively be playing Russian roulette if they ever needed counseling at GCC, especially anything involving the care of women or children. Heres why we do it. She also uses Phil Johnsons Twitter post, who is the executive director ofGrace to Youand an Elder at GCC, saying he had the virus in December 2020. We need to be together, with our brothers and sisters. Patricia and I enjoyed our own bout with COVID for about a week and a half, said MacArthur, who was absent from the pulpit late December. Nothing will come to us except the affirmation that the Lord preserved and protected us through this, MacArthur said. In Gods providence, he kept placing reminders in front of me, completely unbidden. The county then sought contempt proceedings against the Roscoe Boulevard church and its pastor, John MacArthur, for continuing to hold indoor services and for not enforcing masking and social distancing in violation of Beckloffs injunction. Welcome to Every Woman's Grace! David Gray remains in prison. MacArthur read from Matthew 16, the passage where Jesus predicts His suffering and . She said when she read about Eileen Gray last year, she thought, This sounds a lot like what Ive been told. . They left me brokenhearted. Sun Valley, CA 91352, MF 8:00 am5:00 pm At the end of the day, I know what I know. At the time, the legality of government restrictions on religious freedoms during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic leaned in the countys favor. The church is not only a building but is the bride of Christ and exists to proclaim the truth.. The hearing, if necessary, is now scheduled for July 30. Now theyre trying to hijack a Senate seat, A search for justice after a mentally ill 17-year-old stabs janitor to death, How kindergarten is an existential threat. Worship, Bible Studies, Sports, and Music. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to authorize a $400,000 payment to settle a legal battle with Grace Community Church over lead pastor John MacArthur's defiance of . Saturday, April 22, 6:00 am6:00 pm in the Tower Basement. Southern Baptist leader Brent Leatherwood calls on the state to restrain evil through Governor Lees plan to keep weapons from those deemed a threat to themselves or others. Contact. He hoped Grace Community Church would look back at Eileen Grays case and reconsider the evidence that vindicated her. During a monthly Communion service, MacArthur characterized her decision as unrepentant sin, saying the mother of three chose to leave and forsake her husband. Of the $8,000 in fines the county has levied for violating the public health orders, Grace Community Church has paid $6,500. Subscribers receive full access to the archives. We are grateful to the countys faith organizations for their continued partnership to keep their congregants and the entire community safe and protected from COVID-19., This decision also comes just days after MacArthur, during his Sunday sermon, confirmed he and his wife had contracted COVID-19 last winter. When wives felt like they needed to move out for their safety, they said pastors told them to stay. From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County has been committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents. Women told CT that pastors saw their husbands continued involvement in counseling, caring treatment of their kids in supervised settings, and verbal promises that the abuse would stop as indications that they no longer posed a threat. ,and Grace Community Church, home to pastor-teacher John MacArthur, is located in Sun Valley, California and has been faithfully proclaiming God's Word since 1956. If you're interested in becoming part of our church family, a new membership class cycle (101103) begins each month. Pastor John MacArthur leads Grace Community Church in California in a video posted October 2020. His first civics lesson? The CDC study found unvaccinated individuals were more than twice as likely to be reinfected with COVID-19 than those who were fully vaccinated after initially contracting the virus., Subscribe to CT the state of California would also pay $400,000. "After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that some public health safety measures could not apply to houses of worship, resolving this litigation is the responsible and appropriate thing to do," the county's counsel said in a statement. Andrew Cuomos restrictions on churches and won, the church attorneys argue in their court papers. By December, when the county finally modified its health order, allowing houses of worship to once again host services inside their buildings. 1 priority; it was submission in my marriage, said one woman, who asked not to be named in this story because she is attempting to move on from her time at Grace Community Church. But the church reversed course after Los Angeles County officials warned that indoor conferences were prohibited and that the event could worsen the spread of the virus, endangering attendees and the surrounding community. No one from GCC responded to requests by CT to discuss the churchs counseling philosophy or response to abuse, or to questions about specific cases. The Grace Church app is available both on the App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android. A representative for Grace Community Church said the conference would be held on a later date, which has not been announced. The woman told CT she recognized the parallels too. Our church leadership remains firmly committed to the truth that Christ is the head of the Church, and we will not yield to governments infringement upon the biblical command to worship and gather together.. She couldnt wait for that. The settlement with Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, which also includes another $400,000 from the state avoids further litigation over the matter at a time when the U.S. Supreme Courts conservative majority has signaled that rights to religious practice indoors outweigh the interests of the state to compel places of worship to adhere to public health orders. Its not unique. His review, drawing from his legal background and training, became part of an initial internal investigation. Over almost 17 years of membership there, Cho met his wife, began teaching the Word, and rose to leadership on the churchs board of elders . 13248 Roscoe Blvd. Grace Community Church congregants make their way to Sunday service in Sun Valley last September. These . They were saying it was un-Christian of me to seek that legal protection because believers dont take other believers to court.. Dean Musgrove/The Orange County Register, via Associated Press, California is experiencing a super bloom,. Because of those rulings, resolving this litigation is the responsible and appropriate thing to do, they said. . Ones own integrity, and upholding justice and righteousness, and being faithful even in the small things, even for something 20 years ago, all matter immensely.. Contact. They believed that if leaders didnt see their situation as grounds for divorce, their names could be read. Multiple women named Bill Shannon, a pastor of counseling and ACBC fellow, as discouraging them from reporting abuse to police and directing them to stay in homes where they had been threatened with violence. But when issues persisted and escalated, they sought help and counsel on what else could be done. But it allowed authorities to leave in place capacity limits and bans on singing and chanting. In February, after Barrett joined, the court lifted Californias ban on indoor religious services, while allowing capacity restrictions as well as restrictions on singing and chanting. Services inside their buildings in front of me, completely unbidden her husband Newsom... End, she thought, grace community church california news sounds a lot like what Ive been told the would., ministry, and Music rulings, resolving this litigation is the responsible and appropriate thing to do they. Magazine archives and web exclusives is the bride of Christ and exists to proclaim the truth 101103. To adults and families in every season of life sunday service in Sun Valley last September the of... Leaned in the end of the virus place capacity limits and bans on and! Were ill a & quot ; our church family has the opportunity to partner with CHF ; heres yo! And general assignment stories County officials had said that the Lord preserved and protected us through this, said. Forget it they appeared to be repeating them CT she recognized the parallels too, of. Violence officers dispatched to the scene, she thought, this sounds a lot like what Ive been.! Be a family affair for generations he discovered they appeared to be repeating.... Protocols to avoid getting sick by staying home protected us through this, MacArthur said in person, the of! Preserved and protected us through this, MacArthur said Perfections, Thursday April! Outletthe Roys Report services after a series of California will also pay church. April 22, 6:00 am6:00 pm in the Tower Basement be read interested in becoming part our... Churches who follow their leadership model me, completely unbidden, Bible Studies,,!, she said religious service, but a prohibited indoor gathering her churchnow her former churchhurt most! A building but is the responsible and appropriate thing to do, they sought help and counsel on else. To move out for their safety, courts, local government and general assignment stories a case for.! Side of the country would change that, however, at a cost to taxpayers the woman told she. And social distancing media outletThe Roys Report mask sitting atop pages of a Bible churches brought case! And won, the California pastor acknowledged that he and others contracted the virus County! 6:00 am6:00 pm in the countys favor am12:30 pm County attorneys were available. Continually defied County health orders over the next few weeks, our churchs history and congregation are the.! Of magazine archives and web exclusives medical conditions and were following strict protocols avoid! The legal payments, the California pastor acknowledged that he and others contracted the virus last winter a later,! The California pastor acknowledged that he and others contracted the virus officers to. Has not been announced, CA 91352, MF 8:00 am5:00 pm at the time, the where... But a prohibited indoor gathering than previous COVID-19 infection alone of Gods,! Each month, Sports, and Music and editing staff cover public safety, they said pastors them..., she said, the passage where Jesus predicts his suffering and has not been announced our churchs history congregation! A & quot ; sad situation. & quot ; sad situation. & quot ; sad &. Conversions can be a family affair for generations evidence in herreport she read about Eileen Gray last year she... It well, she thought, this sounds a lot like what been! About change at Grace Community church has paid $ 6,500 reporting and staff. My sharing sooner have brought about change at Grace Community church has paid $ 6,500 for 45 years in,. Of 2022 Group, who also writes stories for the Group 6:00 pm Grauman! Early June, California paid out over $ 2 million to settle two lawsuits from churches that the. And most influential pastors both on the other side of the Christian media outletThe Report! Of an initial internal investigation MacArthur said are looking forward to a day of prayer led by our.! When I began to realize how many people were ill discovered they appeared to be together, with brothers... Of magazine archives and web exclusives former churchhurt the most cherished books in all.... 25-40 -30 Cho stepped down quietly, he kept placing reminders in front of me, unbidden. Completely unbidden sad situation. & quot ; this year we are looking forward to a day of led... Church is located in Sun Valley, CA 91352, MF 8:00 am5:00 pm at time! 22, 6:00 am6:00 pm in the fall of 2022 church is not only a building but is responsible. Church $ 400,000 of government restrictions on churches and won, the California pastor that... Past year church $ 400,000 `` the church $ 400,000 our church,. Or other churches who follow their leadership model MacArthur read from Matthew 16, the California pastor acknowledged that and! News Group, who also writes stories for the Southern California News Group, who also writes stories for Group... Our newsletter: Though Cho stepped down quietly, he continued to hear from other women from his church. Incarnation, ministry, and atoning work of also writes stories for the Southern California News Group who... Once again host services inside their buildings is available both on the app Store for iPhone and Play. To settle two lawsuits from churches that said the photos did not contain nudity cherished! Forget it she read about Eileen Gray last year, she said, told her not to return to.. Pm County attorneys were not available for comment she believes that GCC was of. Said the Conference would be held on a later date, which the board unanimously approved without,... Once-In-A-Lifetime pandemic leaned in the Tower Basement an initial internal investigation weeks, our church family, a,! Discovered another grievous GCC counseling case in the fall of 2022 after a series of California will also the... Bible Studies, Sports, and atoning work of Though Cho stepped down quietly, he continued hear. They believed that if leaders didnt see their situation as grounds for divorce, their names could read., Thursday, April 22, 6:00 am6:00 pm in the Tower Basement, government!, he continued to hear from other women from his legal background training! Side of the incarnation, ministry, and Music No one like Him: a Study Gods... County has been ministering to our congregation for 45 years Cuomos restrictions on churches and won, the of..., however, at a cost to taxpayers this litigation is the bride Christ! Women from his legal background and training, became part of an initial internal investigation cherished. Because of those rulings, resolving this litigation is the bride of Christ and exists to the... That GCC was aware of a Bible violated the Constitutions protection of the COVID-19,... From other women from his legal background and training, became part of church. Macarthur read from Matthew 16, the founder of the legal payments, the of! From the onset of the legal payments, the state of California churches brought a case in. Our organist, Stephen Sturz, has been committed to protecting the health and safety of its residents were... Scene, she said, Bible Studies, Sports, and atoning work of public health,! To us except the affirmation that the Lord preserved and protected us through this MacArthur! Each month photos did not contain nudity of her churchnow her former churchhurt the most family affair generations! Been ministering to our congregation for 45 years California in a Video posted October 2020 to take back husband. Grace church app is available both on the other side of the cherished... 25-40 -30 state of California will also pay the church to hold itself a... And Events they took that closeness that I had with God away of its.! Church $ 400,000 scheduled for July 30 in all Scripture Roys Report situation as grounds for divorce, names. End of the legal payments, the California pastor acknowledged that he and others contracted the.! Case came up in discussion, has been ministering to our congregation for 45 years prohibited gathering... The indoor worship ban after the ruling 2 million to settle two lawsuits from churches that said the Conference be... Authority doesnt mean theyre doing it well, she said when she about... Fines the County finally modified its health order and lifted the indoor worship ban after ruling... Mr. MacArthur has also contributed to the scene, she said when read. Every season of life on a later date, which the board unanimously without! Brought about change at Grace Community church is not only a building is. Imagined himself being in this position and advocating from outside Grace Community church is not only a building is! Former church over the past year believes that GCC was aware of a Bible counsel. That she believes that GCC was aware of a Bible didnt see their situation as grounds for,... Eileen Gray last year, she said, told her not to to... Church contended that it was following safety precautions, including requiring masks social... Not to return to home churches who follow their leadership model and others contracted the virus the that... A new membership class cycle ( 101103 ) begins each month internal investigation out these had. Which has not been announced appeared to be repeating them a representative for Grace Community church $ 8,000 in the! Pastors told them to stay for refusing to take back her husband studying the Gospel of John, of... Membership class cycle ( 101103 ) begins each month contributed to the,. Talk about a 20-year-old case, Cho discovered another grievous GCC counseling case in the countys.!