Letter to GMC EM - July 14th, 2020

I know that there seems to be something changing every week. That is okay. We are all figuring this out together, one week at a time. The Lord is with us through it all.
By Pastor Daniel Chin

Dear GMC EM,

In accordance with the latest government order, Global Mission Church will once again suspend indoor corporate worship services. This will go into effect this coming Sunday (07/19/2020) until the government permits our reopening. EM Sunday worship will be live-streamed at 9:00AM. The recording of it will be available anytime afterwards.  

Since the latest government order allows for outdoor services, EM will begin drive-in communion services using communion elements that are pre-packaged and sealed from the factory.

Communion is an Ordinary Means of Grace. That means that it is a regular and consistent instrument through which God strengthens our faith,preserves our soul for eternal life, fuels our holiness, and impart all sorts of spiritual blessings. 1 Corinthians 10:15-16 tells us that communion is areal “communion” (i.e., a genuine, spiritual fellowship) with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is an indispensable means by which the Bride communes with her Groom.

Until now, I have been waiting for the day when all of us would reunite inside the sanctuary, before having our first communion service again. My theology of communion simply will not let me wait any longer. As a shepherd, my conscience is no longer comfortable with the idea of letting you stay nutritionally deficient as we simply “wait for better days.” If the pandemic is not going to end anytime soon, then we must try something where we can have regular, ongoing communion, even if the environment is not ideal. I write all of this with great concern for your spiritual health throughout the crisis.

Our drive-in communion services will be at 5PM on the first Sunday of each month. Since communion services will be completely “in-car,” we are aiming for the service to be no longer than 20 minutes. Thus, communion services will be separate services from the usual Sunday morning service. In other words, on the first Sunday of the month, we will both live-stream at 9AM and we will also gather—in cars only—for communion at 5PM. We will soon provide a video with instructions for the service, and also to show you how we plan to distribute the communion elements contact-free.

I know that there seems to be something changing every week. That is okay. We are all figuring this out together, one week at a time. The Lord is with us through it all. I am here with you as well. As always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

With affection for you all,
Pastor Daniel Chin

Pastor Daniel Chin is the lead pastor of Global Mission Church English Ministry. You can contact him via email here.