Tennessee Pastors Network Addresses Threats to Houses of Worship in State

TNPN President Dale Walker Communicates with Gov. Bill Lee’s Office: ‘Churches Can Self-Govern Themselves Without the Over-Reaching Hand of the Law Threatening Their Very Existence’

Will Tennessee stoop to the level of other states and begin arresting ministers inside the church sanctuary because of their sincerely held beliefs? 

This is the question of the Tennessee Pastors Network  in light of a report in the Daily Memphian that the Shelby County Health Department communicated that those who continue to ignore stay-at-home orders and social-distancing directives can face misdemeanor charges. 

“Offenders will first receive verbal warnings, followed by written notice,” the newspaper reported. “Those who continue to defy will face charges and risk having their business shut down, including places of worship.” 

“Jails in Tennessee are releasing certain people, but now pastors who have served God and their communities are being threatened,” said TNPN President Dale Walker. “Many churches are gathering outside, and people are staying in their cars in the church parking lots in Tennessee. Does this also mean in Shelby County that these church leaders will be arrested for gathering in this manner to worship? I have called upon Gov. Bill Lee’s office to immediately address this egregious unconstitutional threat of action against houses of worship in Shelby County.  

“If there was ever a time to pray and seek God, 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us to do, it is now,” Walker added. “Will the state of Tennessee sit back at a time when houses of prayer are being threatened? Churches can self-govern themselves without the over-reaching hand of the law threatening their very existence.” 

Walker also pointed to several resources and news of church challenges during the coronavirus pandemic on the Liberty Counsel website.