Here we go again. How many other incidents have we heard about where local
officials attempt to prevent dedicated Christians from gathering for
fellowship and prayer meetings within the privacy of their own homes? This
is how our faith began almost 2,000 years ago -- with home churches -- and
it is also how it will end. Please refer to my article "Where Are The First
Century Churches?".


Gilbert Embroiled In Religious Freedom Flap

Sonu Munshi - Tribune

March 16, 2010


The irony is not lost on Gilbert Mayor John Lewis.

The town that celebrates Constitution Week with much fanfare is now trying
to wade its way out of an embarrassing controversy over First Amendment
protection on religious freedom.

The issue began over a notification sent by town staff to a seven-member
local group, all members of the Oasis of Truth Church, to stop meeting at
home, citing the town's land development code, which states:

"religious-assembly uses are not permitted in single-family residential
structures."

The group contacted the Alliance Defense Fund of Scottsdale, a
self-described legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded
organizations, which subsequently appealed the town's cease-and-desist
letter to the group. The group members would typically meet at one of their
homes. But in November, a town code compliance official objected to signs
pointing to Pastor Joe Sutherland's residence.

Daniel Blomberg, litigation counsel for ADF, described the town's position
as "shocking and unconstitutional."

"They were trying to ban any sort of church-sponsored activity of any size
and frequency, be it a Bible study or a potluck dinner, just because a
church is associated with it," Blomberg said.

Blomberg added that singling out church activity was "bizarre," because the
town's land development code, which is in the process of being revised by
the council, allows for other activities such as a home day care center.

Lewis said he first heard about this matter Friday, but that the council was
already planning for a code revision in its upcoming meeting on March 23,
after another group had also been asked to stop meeting at home.

"When I first heard about Oasis of Truth last week, I felt terrible, because
Gilbert has such a good reputation related to our faith groups and
partnerships, who offer such a strong support to the community," Lewis said.
The mayor also noted that Gilbert is known for its group of residents who
focus on the Constitution, so to have Gilbert projected nationally as a town
not allowing religious freedom was "not right."

About six weeks ago, the Town Council had already heard about the town staff
interpreting the code to prohibit church groups from meeting when another
church group was also asked not to meet, "although the code's purpose was
related to public safety and traffic concerns," Lewis said.

So town officials had already been asked not to enforce the code until the
revisions in its March meeting, but the damage was already done, as the
Oasis of Truth Church filed an appeal last week, and the matter has since
become public knowledge through the media.

Still, Lewis hoped that the revisions would appease all. He, along with
acting town manager Collin DeWitt, also attended the group's worship
ceremony on Sunday at a local elementary school, where it currently meets,
to show their support.

Lewis said the staff has been asked to balance parking and public safety
issues with the needs of the residents to be able to meet in small groups
privately.

"When you look at Gilbert on any given Sunday, we have groups meeting all
over town, and we don't want to get in the way of that. It's the strength of
the town," Lewis said.

The changes might reflect some phrases related to the size of the group,
among others, Lewis added.

ADF and Oasis of Truth church members are being included in discussions over
the revised code, to ensure it's acceptable to all.

Blomberg said he hopes the Town Council will recognize that small and
incidental use of homes for church meetings are just as protected as any
other type of incidental use.

"It's that simple," Blomberg said.



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