Pastors are piping up about the Province’s plan for churches under phase three of its re-opening strategy.

Launched Sunday, June 21, the latest phase allows for churches to gather with up to 30 percent of building capacity.

Mark Reimer is pastor of Grace Life Church in Beausejour, one of four churches including Altona’s Grace Covenant Church and Morden’s Redeeming Grace Bible Church, that petitioned government to allow church gatherings to operate at 100 percent. Read more:

He says each church should be able to put their own procedures in place, taking into account the individual factors regarding them.

Additionally, Reimer adds his congregation is starved for fellowship and says gathering is essential in order for the church to function.

“A church is a gathering. Since we have not been able to gather, it’s been very challenging to disciple the church as we normally would. We’ve done other things. We’ve put some sermons online, as well as try to connect with people in other ways, like on the phone. It’s definitely been a challenge because churches meet, that’s what they do.”

Reimer also argues for the essential nature of gathering given that's the stated purpose of having a church at all.