STATUS: (Will we meet at the OK Capitol?) ● Suspended indefinitely
Please check this page weekly to determine if #51Church is scheduled for another week.
Please check this page weekly to determine if #51Church is scheduled for another week.
ABOUT US
#51Church is a Christian initiative responding to government abuse of churches under the cloak of COVID-19 safety measures. Our initiative began with a group of professing Christians meeting in a peaceful open-air prayer and worship event to bring to light the growing government oversight of churches, mosques, and temples.
Most Churches, like other social groups, have worked hard to minimize the spread of Corona and to care for members and guests. Yet, undue restrictions with questionable justification such as the limit of singing and restricting bereavement visits, have placed an undue hardship on caring for the sick, fearful, and vulnerable. Such disregard culminated in the Supreme Court decision on July 24 to uphold Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak's decision to limit churches, regardless of facility size, to 50 people while businesses such as casinos and movie theaters were only limited to 50% capacity. Without a published explanation of their justification, the U.S. Supreme Court set a precedent that churches can be uniquely managed through government oversight. |
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JOIN US
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
You can support our initiative in several ways.
- Register and sign up to receive #51Church updates. By signing this affirmation, you are stating your agreement with our formal resolution (below) and you are lending your support to churches struggling to worship under excessive government mandates here in the U.S. Your name and contact information may be used by #51Church to advance our message with government leaders.
- Share your support through social media by forwarding #51Church posts.
- Talk to your church leaders about the national issues and graciously encourage them to lead boldly in these days.
- Live your faith publicly by telling others about the hope found in Jesus Christ.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why?
We exist to:
We exist to:
- Share a message of hope in Jesus Christ during these unprecedented days of national chaos, and to
- Stand with our brothers and sisters of Christian faith who are navigating compliance issues with unreasonable mandates by (A) educating the body of Christ as a whole, and (B) maintaining a public voice of reason, and to
- Encourage other churches and Christians to start living their faith openly so believers wrestling on the front lines of Christian misunderstanding can be supported by their peaceful and gospel-centric brothers and sisters.
Please read our resolution below for more information.
What does #51Church mean?
In light of the Supreme Court ruling to allow Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak's mandate for Nevada churches to limit attendance to 50 people, #51Church emphasizes the divine command and opportunity for churches to gather as their conscience dictates. #51Church values the recommendations of medical professionals and government officials tasked with the health and safety of Americans. Yet, churches must be free to exercise a religious conscience, weighing these recommendations against a divine calling. We look forward to the day our Nevada brothers and sisters can gather with 51 or more people without fear of government intervention.
Is #51Church a Church? Can I be a member of #51Church?
#51Church is not a church, but rather an initiative of the church. However, the #51Church initiative should encourage you to be actively engaged in your place of worship. Given some decisions being made in the political landscape, this is the time for believers to unite together. The place God has given us for unity is the assembly of the local congregation of believers. We recommend that you engage with your church by attending regularly, giving generously, serving faithfully, and praying aggressively.
Can you explain your blue and orange #51Church logo?
In our logo you will recognize two authorities established by God, government (Romans 13:1-7) and the church (Matthew 16:13-20). Both are by design and oversight of God. God's presence superintending these groups is represented in our logo with the universal Christian symbol for the Trinity. The work of Christ, symbolized by the cross, can be found both over all (in blue) and within all (in the orange background). You will note that neither the government nor the church are superior to the other. Rather, both are equal in God's plan and thereby intended to cooperate under His headship.
Can I find this on social media?
Yes! Be sure to follow https://www.facebook.com/51Church to see announcements, pictures, and updates.
Isn't this a legal First Amendment issue that should be left to the courts?
Certainly, the violations are in clear disregard of the First Amendment to the US Constitution as admitted by U.S. Supreme Court justices Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, and Alito. However, even without support by those in the legal community, #51Church believes that churches should appeal for freedom of religious expression. Theologically, Churches are answerable to government authority as part of their obedience to God. Yet, when government leaders are in disagreement with the biblical mandates of God, Churches are reminded that their sole allegiance is to God alone. For #51Church, this is primarily a faith matter that has been a struggle by Christians in both free and repressed government systems around the world for the last 2000 years. Some Christians convicted about their worship gathering would have to sin against God to adhere to the government mandates.
Is the location of the Oklahoma State Capitol Meaningful? Isn't Oklahoma pro-church in the "Bible belt"?
The Oklahoma capital building was chosen as a backdrop during our worship events to serve as a model for other state and church relationships. The Oklahoma State Capitol building represents the enduring and faithful partnerships that government and church should share. #51Church demonstrated with such a backdrop an appreciation for Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma legislatures in their resolve to allow freedom of worship in Oklahoma, even during the chaos of a national pandemic. This site serves as an example of what we wish for churches in other states to experience in their local contexts.
What does #51Church mean?
In light of the Supreme Court ruling to allow Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak's mandate for Nevada churches to limit attendance to 50 people, #51Church emphasizes the divine command and opportunity for churches to gather as their conscience dictates. #51Church values the recommendations of medical professionals and government officials tasked with the health and safety of Americans. Yet, churches must be free to exercise a religious conscience, weighing these recommendations against a divine calling. We look forward to the day our Nevada brothers and sisters can gather with 51 or more people without fear of government intervention.
Is #51Church a Church? Can I be a member of #51Church?
#51Church is not a church, but rather an initiative of the church. However, the #51Church initiative should encourage you to be actively engaged in your place of worship. Given some decisions being made in the political landscape, this is the time for believers to unite together. The place God has given us for unity is the assembly of the local congregation of believers. We recommend that you engage with your church by attending regularly, giving generously, serving faithfully, and praying aggressively.
Can you explain your blue and orange #51Church logo?
In our logo you will recognize two authorities established by God, government (Romans 13:1-7) and the church (Matthew 16:13-20). Both are by design and oversight of God. God's presence superintending these groups is represented in our logo with the universal Christian symbol for the Trinity. The work of Christ, symbolized by the cross, can be found both over all (in blue) and within all (in the orange background). You will note that neither the government nor the church are superior to the other. Rather, both are equal in God's plan and thereby intended to cooperate under His headship.
Can I find this on social media?
Yes! Be sure to follow https://www.facebook.com/51Church to see announcements, pictures, and updates.
Isn't this a legal First Amendment issue that should be left to the courts?
Certainly, the violations are in clear disregard of the First Amendment to the US Constitution as admitted by U.S. Supreme Court justices Kavanaugh, Gorsuch, and Alito. However, even without support by those in the legal community, #51Church believes that churches should appeal for freedom of religious expression. Theologically, Churches are answerable to government authority as part of their obedience to God. Yet, when government leaders are in disagreement with the biblical mandates of God, Churches are reminded that their sole allegiance is to God alone. For #51Church, this is primarily a faith matter that has been a struggle by Christians in both free and repressed government systems around the world for the last 2000 years. Some Christians convicted about their worship gathering would have to sin against God to adhere to the government mandates.
Is the location of the Oklahoma State Capitol Meaningful? Isn't Oklahoma pro-church in the "Bible belt"?
The Oklahoma capital building was chosen as a backdrop during our worship events to serve as a model for other state and church relationships. The Oklahoma State Capitol building represents the enduring and faithful partnerships that government and church should share. #51Church demonstrated with such a backdrop an appreciation for Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma legislatures in their resolve to allow freedom of worship in Oklahoma, even during the chaos of a national pandemic. This site serves as an example of what we wish for churches in other states to experience in their local contexts.
#51Church RESOLUTION
In summary, we exist to:
- Share a message of hope in Jesus Christ during these unprecedented days of national chaos, and to
- Stand with our brothers and sisters of Christian faith who are navigating compliance issues with unreasonable mandates by (A) educating the body of Christ as a whole, and (B) maintaining a public voice of reason, and to
- Encourage other churches and Christians to start living their faith openly so believers wrestling on the front lines of Christian misunderstanding can be supported by their peaceful and gospel-centric brothers and sisters.
More formally, the resolution below has been adopted as our official statement.
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WHEREAS, The local church is an entity that remains visible within our national culture with a divine mandate, and
WHEREAS, the Church, the body of Christ, unites all born again believers under the headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, and WHEREAS, The body of Christ strives to submit to the divine authority God has given to those in government, and WHEREAS, The Supreme Court decision in Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley v. Steve Sisolak, Governor of Nevada, and the precedent it set, requires the body of Christ to defy our conscience and sin against God, and WHEREAS, Oklahoma Governor Stitt and the Oklahoma Legislature have resisted attempts to inequitably restrict houses of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic, and WHEREAS, The local church is a necessary ministering-agent during times of national crisis bringing resources and hope to scared and hurting communities. Now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the body of Christ wants to stand with other believers in their persecution, and further RESOLVED, That the church is calling on all local, state, and national governments to recognize the authority of God over them, and further RESOLVED, That we are requesting the Supreme Court and all those with legislative power to care for churches equitably, and further RESOLVED, That if God be pleased to help us endure, a peaceful and public gathering for worship in the public forum is intended to publicize and communicate the inalienable rights and commands granted by God for His people to honor Him above all other authorities, and finally RESOLVED, That such a peaceful and public declaration should be received favorably by local, state, and federal government entities within the borders of the United States of America. |
CONTACT US
You can reach our team leaders and point personnel by emailing questions@51church.info. We will respond to you within one business day. Examples of reasons to contact #51Church:
- Something happened at a #51Church event you believe we need to know about.
- You want to schedule an interview or public statement.
- You have questions about your church or group attending a #51Church worship event.
- You would like to financially sponsor #51Church or persecuted Churches.
- You have questions about your information given to #51Church.
#51Church began as a ministry of Wilmont Place Baptist Church
but includes Christians across churches and denominational lines
(405)634-0440 or questions@51church.info
but includes Christians across churches and denominational lines
(405)634-0440 or questions@51church.info
