• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
Pastor Admits Mistake in Allowing Hugs in Church

Pastor Admits Mistake in Allowing Hugs in Church

July 9, 2020
Christians, Muslims and Jews to Worship in One Building in Germany

Christians, Muslims and Jews to Worship in One Building in Germany

February 27, 2021
Christian Booksellers Face 2021 with Hope

Christian Booksellers Face 2021 with Hope

February 25, 2021
Christians Mark Lent with Ashes Sprinkled Over Head

Christians Mark Lent with Ashes Sprinkled Over Head

February 21, 2021
Biden Relaunches White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Biden Relaunches White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

February 20, 2021
Three-in-Ten Americans Say Pandemic Has Strengthened Their Faith

Three-in-Ten Americans Say Pandemic Has Strengthened Their Faith

February 13, 2021
Lifeway to Sell HQ and Shift to New Work Environment

Lifeway to Sell HQ and Shift to New Work Environment

February 7, 2021
Netflix’s ‘Penguin Bloom’ has lessons about family, life and death

Netflix’s ‘Penguin Bloom’ has lessons about family, life and death

February 5, 2021
Vietnam Opens First Christian Public Library

Vietnam Opens First Christian Public Library

February 5, 2021
Honduras Moves to Ban Abortion Permanently

Honduras Moves to Ban Abortion Permanently

February 4, 2021
4word Hosts Tenth Anniversary Celebration Online – Gala for the Girls

4word Hosts Tenth Anniversary Celebration Online – Gala for the Girls

February 2, 2021
There’s a new streaming platform — and it’s a great option for families

There’s a new streaming platform — and it’s a great option for families

January 23, 2021
Fauci Asks Help of Faith Leaders to Spread COVID-19 Vaccine Trust

Fauci Asks Help of Faith Leaders to Spread COVID-19 Vaccine Trust

January 14, 2021
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
  • Locations
    • CALIFORNIA
      • Southern California
    • COLORADO
      • Denver, CO
    • FLORIDA
      • Broward County, FL
      • Jacksonville, FL
      • Miami, FL
      • Naples, FL
      • Orlando, FL
      • Palm Beach County, FL
      • Tallahassee, FL
    • GEORGIA
      • Atlanta, GA
    • NEW JERSEY
      • South Jersey
    • NORTH CAROLINA
      • Charlotte, NC
    • OHIO
      • Northwestern Ohio
      • Southern Ohio
    • PENNSYLVANIA
      • Philadelphia, PA
    • SOUTH CAROLINA
      • Charleston, SC
    • TENNESSEE
      • Nashville, TN
    • TEXAS
      • Austin, TX
      • Dallas, TX
  • Publishing Guide
    • Content Guidelines for Publishing
    • General Article Submission Guidelines
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
Monday, March 1, 2021
68 °f
Charleston
63 ° Fri
55 ° Sat
56 ° Sun
57 ° Mon
  • Login
Charleston Christian Voice
  • Home
  • News
    • All
    • Charleston
    • Government
    • National
    • Politics
    • World
    Christians, Muslims and Jews to Worship in One Building in Germany

    Christians, Muslims and Jews to Worship in One Building in Germany

    Christian Booksellers Face 2021 with Hope

    Christian Booksellers Face 2021 with Hope

    Christians Mark Lent with Ashes Sprinkled Over Head

    Christians Mark Lent with Ashes Sprinkled Over Head

    Biden Relaunches White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

    Biden Relaunches White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

    Three-in-Ten Americans Say Pandemic Has Strengthened Their Faith

    Three-in-Ten Americans Say Pandemic Has Strengthened Their Faith

    Lifeway to Sell HQ and Shift to New Work Environment

    Lifeway to Sell HQ and Shift to New Work Environment

    Vietnam Opens First Christian Public Library

    Vietnam Opens First Christian Public Library

    Honduras Moves to Ban Abortion Permanently

    Honduras Moves to Ban Abortion Permanently

    4word Hosts Tenth Anniversary Celebration Online – Gala for the Girls

    4word Hosts Tenth Anniversary Celebration Online – Gala for the Girls

    Trending Tags

    • Church
      • All
      • Missions
      • Pastors
      • Worship
      Reflecting on Privileges, Burdens of Ministry

      Reflecting on Privileges, Burdens of Ministry

      New Bible Published to Help Catholics in Scriptural Knowledge

      New Bible Published to Help Catholics in Scriptural Knowledge

      But For the Grace of God

      But For the Grace of God

      Ask not what your church can do for you

      Ask not what your church can do for you

      Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord

      Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord

      Does God Have our Ultimate Loyalty

      Does God Have our Ultimate Loyalty

      Shepherd’s Gate: Living in a House of Hope

      Shepherd’s Gate: Living in a House of Hope

      The Difficulty of Finding Love

      The Difficulty of Finding Love

      The Savior is Knocking

      The Savior is Knocking

      Trending Tags

      • Faith
        • All
        • Inspiration
        5 Ways to Show God Our Thankfulness

        5 Ways to Show God Our Thankfulness

        20 Quotes to Encourage Friendships During COVID-19

        20 Quotes to Encourage Friendships During COVID-19

        Father’s Second Life

        Father’s Second Life

        Who is Joel?

        Who is Joel?

        The Angry Woman

        The Angry Woman

        Palm Sunday—Where’s the Triumph?

        Palm Sunday—Where’s the Triumph?

        The Joy Stealer

        The Joy Stealer

        The Grace Center

        Gaining Courage and Finding Freedom

        What is Your Concept of Heaven?

        What is Your Concept of Heaven?

      • Business
        • All
        • Finance
        • Leadership
        4word Hosts Tenth Anniversary Celebration Online – Gala for the Girls

        4word Hosts Tenth Anniversary Celebration Online – Gala for the Girls

        Chick-fil-A Founder’s Daughter Reveals Mom as ‘Backbone’ of Family Dynasty

        Chick-fil-A Founder’s Daughter Reveals Mom as ‘Backbone’ of Family Dynasty

        Questions To Ask Before Taking Social Security

        Questions To Ask Before Taking Social Security

        Financial Tips For Single Women

        Financial Tips For Single Women

        7 Ways to Create Your CEO Lifestyle

        7 Ways to Create Your CEO Lifestyle

        Last U.S. Toys R Us Store to Close Friday

        Last U.S. Toys R Us Store to Close Friday

        10 Tips to Save Big on Your Car Insurance

        10 Tips to Save Big on Your Car Insurance

        Real Women Retreat Planned for June 2018 in Ohio’s Amish Country

        Real Women Retreat Planned for June 2018 in Ohio’s Amish Country

        Surprising Things You Can Expect From a Christian Writers Conference

        Surprising Things You Can Expect From a Christian Writers Conference

      • Sports
        Bitterness Strikes Out

        Bitterness Strikes Out

        Kia’s Amazing Journey

        Kia’s Amazing Journey

        Bengals Chaplain Kicks COVID-19

        Bengals Chaplain Kicks COVID-19

        There is Another Way

        There is Another Way

        Did God See That Coming?

        Did God See That Coming?

        SEC Fan Recommends “Buckeye Believer”

        SEC Fan Recommends “Buckeye Believer”

        Wentz is Finding His Voice

        Wentz is Finding His Voice

        Tennessee Titan Brett Kern Talks to Nashville Christian Voice – Part 1

        Tennessee Titan Brett Kern Talks to Nashville Christian Voice – Part 1

        Rick Barnes’ Biggest Regret

        Rick Barnes’ Biggest Regret

      No Result
      View All Result
      Charleston Christian Voice
      No Result
      View All Result
      Home Featured

      Pastor Admits Mistake in Allowing Hugs in Church

      by Joyce Dimaculangan
      July 9, 2020
      in Featured, National
      0
      Pastor Admits Mistake in Allowing Hugs in Church
      506
      SHARES
      1.4k
      VIEWS
      Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

      Pastor Ron Arbaugh of Calvary Chapel in San Antonio, Texas accepts full responsibility for a COVID-19 outbreak in his church. More than 50 people in his congregation have tested positive for the deadly respiratory illness.

      The church in Universal City reopened in May following the lifting of restrictions in the state, reports News 4 San Antonio. Pastor Arbaugh implemented all government-imposed health protocols before allowing the public to enter church premises. “We kept all of the rules to the letter of the law,” he said.

      I accept full responsibility. I’m the leader of the church. —Pastor Ron Arbaugh, Calvary Chapel, TX

      Pastor Arbaugh explained that the church followed Gov. Greg Abbott’s social distancing mandates and only had 40% of the church filled with parishioners when the church reopened. Everyone wore masks and the seating was every other row.

      Calvary Church has about 1,200 adult members and services are conducted inside a 10,000-square-foot meeting hall in a shopping center. As the weeks went by, it allowed more and more people until attendance grew to 80%, according to San Antonio Express News.

      Pastor Arbaugh said before the pandemic, the church has a five-minute “meet and greet” during Sunday services when hugging is encouraged among parishioners. Hugging was prohibited when the church reopened to prevent the spread of the virus. However, after about six weeks of getting back together, Pastor Arbaugh admitted that the no-hugging rule felt “weird.”

      “So I told people, ‘Look, I’m not your parent. Go ahead and hug, but make sure the person you’re hugging is OK with it,'” he said.

      A week later, a parishioner tested positive and the number quickly increased within the day. As of writing, there are more than 50 people, both staff and parishioners, infected with COVID-19, with at least one patient using a ventilator. Pastor Arbaugh and his wife also caught the virus but were not hospitalized and just quarantined themselves for two weeks. “I didn’t have any symptoms, except I lost my sense of smell and taste,” the pastor said.

      Calvary Chapel was immediately closed following the initial cases of COVID-19 among parishioners. The church was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

      Pastor Arbaugh lamented his decision to allow hugging among parishioners. “I accept full responsibility. I’m the leader of the church,” he said. “If I could go back and do something different, I would have kept the prohibition on hugging inside the church. That’s my responsibility. I’m the one who gave permission.”

      Calvary Chapel is set to reopen on July 12th with only one live service instead of the usual three. Strict health guidelines are to be expected. Livestream services will also be available.

      Facebook Comments

      Tags: Calvary ChurchCOVID-19Pastor Ron Arbaugh
      Share202Tweet127Share51
      Joyce Dimaculangan

      Joyce Dimaculangan

      Joyce has more than 15 years experience writing news, industry articles and blogs for the private and public sectors. Most of her career was spent writing technical documentation for a software company in the Philippines. She earned a B.A. in Communication Arts with a concentration in writing from the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. During her leisure time, Joyce pursues her interest in reading fiction and playing with her dogs. She can be contacted at Joyce@onechristianvoice.com.

      • Trending
      • Comments
      • Latest
      What is Your Concept of Heaven?

      What is Your Concept of Heaven?

      February 17, 2018
      The Grace Center of Charleston

      The Grace Center of Charleston

      January 30, 2018
      Comedian John Crist shares surprising details of his childhood and career

      Comedian John Crist shares surprising details of his childhood and career

      June 18, 2018
      Community Missions Seminar for East Cooper Churches

      Community Missions Seminar for East Cooper Churches

      1
      Christianity Grows in Chilean Region Despite Church Arsons

      Christianity Grows in Chilean Region Despite Church Arsons

      0
      Human trafficking in Michigan: Two women’s stories

      Human trafficking in Michigan: Two women’s stories

      0
      Christians, Muslims and Jews to Worship in One Building in Germany

      Christians, Muslims and Jews to Worship in One Building in Germany

      February 27, 2021
      Christian Booksellers Face 2021 with Hope

      Christian Booksellers Face 2021 with Hope

      February 25, 2021
      Christians Mark Lent with Ashes Sprinkled Over Head

      Christians Mark Lent with Ashes Sprinkled Over Head

      February 21, 2021
      Charleston Christian Voice

      Copyright © 2018 One Christian Voice, LLC.

      Navigate Site

      • About
      • Locations
      • Publishing Guide
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us

      Connect with us

      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • News
        • Politics
        • Business
        • World
      • Entertainment
        • Music
      • Tech
        • Apps
      • Lifestyle
        • Food
        • Fashion
        • Health
        • Travel

      Copyright © 2018 One Christian Voice, LLC.

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password?

      Create New Account!

      Fill the forms below to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In