What happened in Minnesota?
What happened Sunday in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is heartbreaking and appalling. The situation hits very close to my heart. I have a cousin and his family who live in the area, and he serves as a pastor not far from where the events took place. In fact, while in college, I spent two summers serving in the area through NAMB (North American Mission Board). I love the city, and it is full of great people. However, what happened on Sunday was an atrocity that should never have happened.
So what happened? The gist of the story is that anti-ICE protestors invaded a church service, disrupting it. Don Lemon claims he was only doing journalism as he attempted to interview the Pastor of Cities Church, Jonathan Parnell, while the protest was taking place inside the sanctuary. Thankfully, the Lord gave Parnell grace while Lemon tried to get a response from him. Lemon asked about people’s right to peaceful protest. Parnell was right in his disdain for what took place.
You can check out the exchange here: Don Lemon Interview of Jonathan Parnell
While people have the right to peacefully protest, they do not have the right to invade a house of worship and disrupt the service. In the 103rd Congress in 1994, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, known as FACE, was passed. The law prohibits threats of force and physical obstructions like sit-ins at abortion clinics. Within the law, it offers similar prohibitions for those seeking to excise First Amendment rights at a religious site. In other words, the First Amendment does not allow you to obstruct worship at a house of worship.
This is what happened on Sunday. It was illegal. It is also harmful to Religious Liberty, a right we all share. Those who marched into this service, including Don Lemon, need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. God has allowed our nation to have laws that protect religious freedom in our land. It is why God has given us authority to rule justly. Romans 13:1 reminds us that every person is to “be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” These people need to face governmental consequences for their illegal behavior. And the prayer is that God would use the consequences to open the door to gospel conversations with those who harassed this church.
It is quite possible that if this group isn’t held accountable, churches will be targeted more frequently in the coming weeks and years. We are at a point in society where groups are attempting to come against faithful Christianity more rigorously as society becomes more secular. If the government doesn’t protect Christian religious freedom, it is only a matter of time before pockets of our country could become highly persecuted.
While persecution is not new, and should be expected, the staunch persecution that seems so otherworldly in America could be on our doorsteps quickly if not addressed strongly. All religious freedom should be protected in America, and as Southern Baptists, we stand for religious freedom in our nation. It provides Christians with the freedom to share our faith, and we can worship without fear of persecution. Unfortunately, in Saint Paul, this right was infringed on.
What can you do?
First, take time to pray for the church and its pastors. The church will have much to work through as families cope with what transpired on Sunday. There could be a real fear that it will happen again. Let’s pray for peace and comfort for the families and for the pastors to have wisdom to lead well.
Secondly, pray that God would move in the hearts of those who were protesting on Sunday. That they would see the error of their behavior and repent and turn to Jesus.
Third, take time to pray for government officials to bring justice against the offenders. God has given government authority to do so, and we need to pray that justice be carried out.
Fourth, pray for your own church that God would use it to reach the community with the Gospel.
