Board decides to close doors; ‘Not my will,’ pastor says

COEUR d’ALENE — The Altar Church will not hold in-person services on Sunday.

The Coeur d’Alene church led by Pastor Tim Remington was criticized for holding in-person services last weekend, despite Gov. Brad Little’s three-week stay-home order and shutdown of nonessential businesses in response to the coronavirus.

The church’s board of directors decided Wednesday to close the church doors. It will show the service online, as most churches are doing.

Remington, appointed as a legislative representative in January, said he was disappointed but would follow the board’s direction.

“It was not my will, but I submitted to the board,” he said during a Hagadone News Network interview in his office Thursday. “I have a tremendous board and a tremendous staff and I trust them.”

A statement from the board says, in part:

“Although we continue to have grave concerns regarding the suspension of our First Amendment Rights to peaceably assemble without a legislative debate or vote, we decided to ensure all use of our church building would be in compliance with the order against gathering of individuals outside the home. And, as stated earlier, we continue to recognize this virus is a very real threat to the health and safety of our local community, state and nation.

“Consequently, we voted to suspend our public services at this time and invite all to join us on-line this Sunday as Pastor Tim shares the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

A stoic Remington said the church has received threatening phone calls, letters and emails over holding the in-person service. About 40 people attended Sunday’s service at The Altar on Best Avenue. Most sat apart in the spacious main church hall as they listened to Remington’s hourlong sermon.

Some have accused the church of endangering the community by bringing a crowd together — against social-distancing guidelines — and possibly spreading the coronavirus.

Remington, who survived being shot six times outside his church in March 2016, said he has heard from supporters and detractors. He said several legislative colleagues encouraged him to hold his ground. He said some pastors called on him to listen to government leaders, while others urged him to stay the course.

“This community knows my heart,” he said.

“We care very much about the community and want to help the community,” he added. “But us being open is causing more fear and hurt in their eyes and that was not what we were trying to do.”

Remington said one person who attends the church was diagnosed with COVID-19 several weeks ago after traveling overseas. That person, he said, is OK and self-isolating at home.

“There is no spread of coronavirus in the church,” he said.

Another pastor at Altar, who asked that his name not be used, said the church wanted to stay open because of its unique ministry that helps people fighting addiction, depression, and abuse. Church services are part of that process.

He said church staff encouraged members to stay home and live-stream Sunday’s service, but some still wanted to be there.

“We don’t want to have to shut the doors,” he said. “We just felt like that’s so contrary to the church, what we’re here for, to what God wants us to do.”

Remington said holding the service Sunday was not about rebelling against government authority or making a political point.

“We take seriously the risk COVID-19 poses to our community,” Remington said. “We understand for many, avoiding this virus is a matter of life and death. It is not our desire to make light of this threat.”

But Remington also emphasized that in-person services are critical to The Altar Church and the people it helps. The church is closely affiliated to the Good Samaritan Drug and Alcohol rehabilitation program.

Some of their church families or their loved ones have fought addiction and depression, and found “hope and healing” through the program.

Graduates who don’t participate in after-care have an 85 percent relapse rate, Remington said.

“So our church body functions as a family supporting these graduates and their newfound sobriety and faith,” he said.

“Because of our role in supporting these vulnerable members of our community, we feel it’s important and our duty to keep the doors open.”

At this point, however, he sad The Altar is not able to do that “mainly because we do not want the community to think that we want to spread this virus.”

Remington said there are many people who are scared from losing their jobs and closing their businesses. Many face the loss of their homes if the government-ordered shutdown and stay-home order continues for months. Those people need spiritual support, he said.

Shutting the doors to the church is not the answer, he said.

“These are uncertain times for all of us and we invite you to join us in lifting up our community in prayer and in healing and in peace,” Remington said.