On Sunday morning, a routine worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, was abruptly interrupted when a group of anti-ICE protesters entered the sanctuary chanting slogans such as “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” halting the congregation’s worship and thrusting the debate over immigration enforcement into a house of worship. The demonstrators, who believed one of the church’s pastors also serves as a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official, sought to confront him over federal immigration practices following the recent fatal shooting of a mother by an ICE agent. The disruption drew national attention and prompted a Department of Justice inquiry into whether the protest violated federal protections for religious services.
Activism vs The House of Worship
Issues like this that took place this past Sunday are nothing new; however, they represent a slightly different narrative compared to past history. Within America, it seems like the Church has been slowly becoming more politicized over the past several years. Unlike earlier times when such influences emerged mainly from within the Church’s own community, the current atmosphere involves significant engagement from outside forces, particularly non-Christians. Historically, the Church has enjoyed a certain protection at times from external political pressures, but now, it faces challenges as these outside influences attempt to shape its internal discourse. Very rarely has politicism forcefully made its way inward into the Church by non-Christians, and this shift is concerning for many believers who value the separation and protection of their faith. Coupled with today’s media landscape, which captures and platforms these developments for broader political narratives, there is a palpable risk that this trend will lead to similar incidents occurring more frequently. As media organizations seek to capitalize on sensational stories like this, the intersection of religion and politics could become an increasingly common battleground, with each incident prompting discussions that may further entangle the Church in the political realm.
These protesters, while claiming a First Amendment right to free speech and the right to protest, disobey the law of God by profaning the Sabbath. By invading a church service, they sought to trample upon the rights of others who freely and safely practice their faith. Even worse, they have chosen to disregard God altogether in His own house. Why have they done this? Simply because they are at war against our Lord1 and against Truth. Yet they will not have the last laugh; God has promised to visit them in His wrath and fury2. Therefore, turn away from wrongdoing and kiss the Son3, lest He be angry toward those who desecrate His holiness.
As Christians, it is our job to keep the church holy4, set apart especially on the Sabbath. Our duty is first and foremost to the worship of God, not to a political party or movement that may distract us from our commitment to the Lord. The Gospel is meant to advance the Kingdom of God, and that Kingdom comes first for Christians5. I am not saying that Christians cannot be political; rather, that activism and politics have their place, and that place does not belong to compete against nor take away from the preaching and teaching of the good news. Instead, our advocacy for justice and truth should flow naturally from our faith, into a proper time and place that is respectful towards God.
Our political message as Christians is simply this: in all things, that we might point others toward the light of Christ’s love that led him to die for sinners like ourselves. And how else is this message best pictured than the preaching of the Gospel that takes place within the Sabbath worship service.
“This is unacceptable. It’s shameful. It’s shameful to to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship……. We’re here to worship. We’re here to worship Jesus because that’s the hope of these cities. That’s the hope of the world.” – Jonathan Parnell
Be Watchful
“That’s what protesting is about, it’s to make people uncomfortable. You may not like it, but…” – Don Lemon
I don’t know if Don knows this or not, but intimidation has not been a very useful tool against the Church. The Church usually grows under such persecution and chaos; it thrives being uncomfortable. And those much worse than Don have tried in the past to derail its message. Again, this seems to be an area that there is nothing new under the sun.
‘Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.’ – 1 Corinthians 16:13
Christians, be aware of this and wake up to the unsettling realities that are currently unfolding within the body of Christ globally. It is imperative that we remain vigilant and on guard against such worldly influences and actions that threaten our freedom to gather and worship. I am sure this video is making its rounds to many Church leaders and security teams, equipping them with the knowledge and insight necessary to be better prepared for handling issues like this effectively. Their proactive measures will play a crucial role in safeguarding their congregations from such distressing mobs that seek to create chaos. It is vital to recognize that there is nothing peaceful about this mob-like mentality, which intentionally disrupts those who gather in worship. Our faith calls us to stand firm, to support each other, and to foster a community that embodies love and respect, even in the face of opposition. Let us not only be aware but also take action to protect our places of worship and ensure that everyone can gather in safety and harmony, free from the disturbances that would dare to divide us.
Protesting in the Lord’s house is nothing more than a desecration of worship and an insult to the holiness of God.
Those who seek to prey on the children of God will receive justice in due time6, for our faith assures us that every wrong will be made right7. Our God is in sovereign control of all things; this did not catch Him by surprise, as His divine plan unfolds according to His perfect wisdom. And who knows, this might have been allowed to happen not only as a test of faith but also to cause others to wake up and be better equipped for the challenges that lie ahead. Our collective response to these trials can lead to spiritual growth and a strengthened community of believers. Either way, we can give God glory by thanking Him for the freedom we have in the ability to worship Him safely and peacefully, appreciating the grace that covers us each day. However, let us not neglect this precious gift or take it for granted, nor should we ever think that we will always have such blessings without diligence and gratitude. It is essential to remain vigilant in our prayers and actions, ensuring that we protect the sanctity of our worship and the well-being of the Body of Christ from those who desire to destroy it. Most important thing is to be mindful of Him who delivers us from such violent men8.
‘Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ – Matthew 6:10
- Psalm 2:2 ↩︎
- Psalm 2:5 ↩︎
- Psalm 2:12 ↩︎
- 1 Peter 1:16 ↩︎
- Colo 3:2 ↩︎
- 1 Peter 2:23 ↩︎
- Rom 12:19 ↩︎
- Psalm 140:1 ↩︎
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