An early morning tweet shows a Baltimore pastor tearing up a cease-and-desist letter mid-sermon last night after local officials threatened a $5,000 fine earlier in the week for holding in-person services.
— Stacey Shiflett ?? (@staceyshiflett) May 21, 2020
Stacey Shiflett, pastor of the 400-member Calvary Baptist Church in Dundalk, a community in Baltimore County, held a Wednesday night service.
With more than 100 congregants in the 600-capacity sanctuary, Calvary was in compliance with Gov. Hogan’s order, which allows for 50 percent capacity, but in defiance of the local officials who are still prohibiting indoor religious services of more than 10 people order.
Hogan’s reopening order empowered “individual jurisdictions to make decisions regarding the timing of reopenings.” It said that churches “may begin to safely hold religious services” and “with outdoor services strongly encouraged.”
Calvary Baptist had held services on Sunday at the 50 percent capacity which led to the cease-and-desist letter from Baltimore County’s Department of Health and Human Services, which warned the church it “could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000” if further services were held that “violate Executive Order 2020-005.”
Responses to the tweet were mixed. One supporter said “We better stand up or our freedoms will be taken little by little. Its non negotiable. Give me liberty or give me death!” Another, “Amen Preacher!!!”
We better stand up or our freedoms will be taken little by little. Its non negotiable. Give me liberty or give me death!
— Rich (@Rich13918915) May 21, 2020
Amen Preacher!!!
— Jimmy R. Brooks (@JRAYBRO1967) May 21, 2020
Detractors also responded, with one telling the pastor to “Enjoy your COVID-19” with a laughing face emoji. Another suggested that he “check the Romans out” while asking “what happened to obeying the laws of the land?”
Enjoy your COVID-19 ?
— ????????????? ☠️?️⚧️ ? ?️? ? (@formaldebryde) May 21, 2020
I mean I agree with having church, But what happened to obeying the laws of the land ? ? Check romans out ??
— Manda ? (@__mandamariee) May 21, 2020
Shiflett spoke with Fox News about his decision, telling them, “Either we have liberty to worship or we have permission to worship. It has become abundantly clear that if we settle for permission, we will never have liberty again.”
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