Kansas church holds in-person Sunday services during pandemic, defying Kelly’s order
The pastor of a church in Junction City, Kansas, said he continued to lead in-person Sunday services despite statewide efforts, including Gov. Laura Kelly’s orders, to stop public gatherings and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Pastor Aaron Harris of Calvary Baptist Church said Sunday morning services there continued as usual, both in person and streaming online. A service on Easter Sunday drew about 21 people, he said, in a church that seats 300.
Harris said the church has continued to hold services during the pandemic, effectively defying the governor’s executive order prohibiting mass gatherings of more than 10, which was upheld by the Kansas Supreme Court Saturday night.
Reached by phone Sunday morning, Harris said the church would continue to hold in-person services in the coming weeks.
“We are, for better or worse,” Harris said. “We are meeting in person. We’re not trying to provoke a fight, but we’re not shying away from one either.”
In a message posted to Twitter Saturday night, Harris said Kelly’s order was unconstitutional. “I hope and pray our local (law enforcement) will respect the constitution.”
Kelly’s order was part of a wider public health effort, in line with others around the country, to stop people from gathering in large groups. That is necessary, experts say, to slow the spread of the virus from one person to another.
If left unchecked, medical professionals have said, hospitals could be overwhelmed with large numbers of people getting sick at the same time. Schools, businesses and sporting events have been closed as part of the effort. Kelly’s order sought to make sure churches were included.
In a narrow ruling, the Kansas Supreme Court said top Kansas Republican leaders didn’t follow the procedures outlined in a resolution approved by the full Legislature when they voted earlier this month to revoke Kelly’s order.
The court’s ruling was unanimous, with no justices dissenting. Two justices issued their own separate opinions concurring with the decision.
The decision paved the way for Kelly’s order to be in effect over Easter, though it was unclear how widely it would be enforced. Most churches have already canceled in-person services and Attorney General Derek Schmidt, a Republican, has advised police and sheriffs not to arrest or criminally charge anyone violating the order.
Harris, at Calvary Baptist, said he understood the coronavirus pandemic was real and meeting in person carries risks. At the service, he said, people would be staying apart from each other and would not be shaking hands.
Already, he said, most church members were choosing to stay home and watch online. Of about 80 people who normally attend services, only about 18 to 30 have been attending during the pandemic, he said.
Harris said the services streaming online remain an option for church members who don’t want to attend in person.
“We understand it’s not the building,” Harris said. “But frankly it’s not the same.” And, he noted, some people do not have internet access.
The church’s decision to go forward came from a conviction that in-person services are essential, Harris said.
“I view it as absolutely critical,” Harris said. “We believe it is the right thing to do. We have to back that up at some point.”
Junction City Police Chief John Lamb said the police department had received a few complaints about the church.
A lieutenant visited the church during the 10 a.m. Sunday school and the 11 a.m. services, but reported fewer than 10 people attending. Told that the pastor said 21 people attended, Lamb said it did not match what was reported to him. He noted that church staff would have been present.
Only four cars were in the parking lot, Lamb said, and the people inside the church were reportedly maintaining distance from each other.
Lamb said it was his understanding that the service was meant for people who don’t have smartphones or internet access.
The police department understands it is a high-profile issue for the state, and police are paying attention, Lamb said. If anyone is found in violation of the order, police can take action, he said.
It was unclear if any other churches in Kansas or Missouri were holding in-person services. Most have been holding services online-only for weeks.
As the number of reported cases of the coronavirus in Kansas continues to climb, health authorities have said four clusters are tied to church gatherings.
Geary County, where Junction City is the county seat, has reported five coronavirus cases that were confirmed by the state.
Statewide, Kansas has reported 1,268 cases and 55 deaths.
According to its website, Calvary Baptist is an independent Baptist Church and does not report to any governing board.
Wichita Eagle reporter Jonathan Shorman contributed to this report.
This story was originally published April 12, 2020 at 11:21 AM with the headline "Kansas church holds in-person Sunday services during pandemic, defying Kelly’s order."
