Church Re-Opening Plans - June 14, 2020:

Dear Church Member,

SCRBC plans to reopen worship services to anyone who feels comofortable meetng in a group setting on June 14, 2020.

You are welcome to attend...

• IF you feel comfortable worshipping in a group setting, and...

• IF you are fever free and/or symptom free, and...

• IF we have had no cases of sickness (COVID) within our church family, and...

• IF there is NOT a spike in COVID numbers in our state (TN), THEN...

• We will be worshipping in a MODIFIED service based on the following guidelines...

The following MODIFICATIONS are SOME of our new norms:

• The ONLY space open on Sunday for general church members is the Sanctuary. Bathrooms to be used are those located in "The Cove" (vestibule/foyer) only.

• We will be using infrared no-touch thermometers on everyone who desires to attend our services. If you register a body temperature of 100.1 or higher, you will NOT be allowed to participate.

• Masks are NOT required, BUT...if you feel better wearing one, do so. Masks will be provided in the foyer/vestibule area for anyone who would like to wear them but does not have one.

• We will be practicing "social distancing". Rows are marked where you may sit, and you will be seated by our ushers/deacons (if you have a seat that you normally sit in, you will probably NOT be sitting in that spot).

• IF  you have people who are NOT directly related to you, you will NOT be allowed to sit with them. We can sit you near them, if possible, 2 seats apart or on the next available row.

• We will only be singing 2 or 3 songs. This is to limit contact time between individuals. 

• There will NOT be an official greeting or welcome time.

• IF you choose to tithe and/or give financially, the Deacons will be collecting at the doors as you leave. Plates will NOT be "passed" as before. We have several online giving options that are safe and secure. We strongly encourage you to use them if possible (it cuts down on touch-points).

• Sunday School and Wednesday night services will NOT resume until August 4, 2020 (tentatively).

• Our services WILL continue to be live-streamed and we invite you to participate if you are experiencing any illness or COVID symptoms OR you do not yet feel comfortable worshipping in a group setting.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.
This is an odd time for all of us, but we see God's hand through all of this and know that He is still in control.
God bless,
Pastor Carl

Pastor Carl's response to COVID-19 (3/14/20)

Dear SCRBC family,

It is with a heavy heart, but also with a firm, clear conviction, that I announce the cancellation of our Sunday morning worship and our Wednesday evening events. When will we meet again? No restart date has been set. But, information moves and changes quickly. It could be next week or (possibly) next month. The Staff and I are even working on contingency plans for Easter. Right now we just don’t know. All I can say is “stay tuned.” But, for now, all services and events are cancelled. This is the best decision for Spring Creek Road Baptist Church. 

I have spoken with many individuals, both church leaders and staff as well as several church members. While the thoughts on cancelling have been varied, most all have been passionate. This was not an easy decision. These are the factors that helped shape my decision: First, our president, governor, and even mayor have declared this a state of emergency. It is serious. Second, this virus disproportionately affects the senior adult population. We have a large number of seniors in our church. Their health and well being is important. I know their dedication and faithfulness would (almost) compel them to attend if we opened our doors. For their benefit, that decision has now been made for them. Third, health care professionals - some of which are in our church - are genuinely concerned. They are convinced that it is currently bad and will certainly get worse. We must play our part, as best we can, in limiting the spread of this virus. Canceling our services will, in some small way, be helpful. Finally, it was simply a percentage call. If this virus turns out to be minor or insignificant in the long run, canceling, we lose nothing. But, if it turns into a worse case scenario, and we do nothing, we stand to lose much. Ultimately, I must err on the side of caution.

There is a bright side to this note. Our IT Director, Sound Team Coordinator, and all-around great guy, Brian McCutcheon, has been diligently working on a solution that will allow us to do a live worship feed from our Sanctuary this Sunday. So, while you won’t get to “go to church” you will get to “go to church.” Sorta... You’ll just get to attend on-line. That means that (if you really want to) you’ll be able to hear me preach without leaving the comfort of your home. Coffee? Pajamas? No problem! 

I am working with Brian and the SCRBC staff today (Saturday) and will disseminate all pertinent information to the church as soon as possible. This ability will prove useful for us during this period of time as well as for years to come. Even in the midst of the storm, God is still working for our good.

So, be watching Facebook posts, Instagram posts, and other social media. Pay attention to texts and e-mails. We will be in touch as soon as we have more information. If something changes and we are unable to make the feed happen, we will let you know that as well.

I know this note is long and not what many of you had hoped for. But, it is for the best. Thank you for your love and commitment to SCRBC and, more importantly, to our Lord and Savior. Be smart. Be safe. And certainly, be in prayer! Through all this God still has a plan... I am excited to watch it unfold. He is still in control!

It is a joy and privilege to be your pastor!

Pastor Carl