How would any church member react to the following statement: "We are not anti-church but feel the churches would not be comfortable in that atmosphere," as stated by Crestview planning consultant Jack Dorman?
Just what kind of "atmosphere" is Mr. Dorman advocating in the downtown corridor that runs along Main Street and State Road 85? If the activity isn't something church folks want to be around, we probably don't need it in Crestview.
It appears the city, through the planning department and their consultant, is saying, "We don't mind churches as long as they are hidden away and not located on or visible from Main Street, State Road 85, or taking up prime real estate."
Apparently, the war on Christians has begun in earnest. It started with the ban on prayers being given by City Council members, and now the Crestview Planning Department desires that churches leave their property and move someplace that isn't conspicuous to downtown.
While churches don't pay property taxes, they add much more than revenue to a community, so why persecute them? Money isn't the only asset to a community; churches encourage honesty, charity, civility and morality; they feed the hungry, encourage those in crisis and counsel them, and help the less fortunate.
While I understand the desire to revitalize downtown Crestview, I do not understand the desire to remove all churches from the downtown area.
If Crestview can force the downtown churches to move if a disaster strikes or the church would merely like to expand on their own property, what will happen next, the requirement that pastors turn in their sermons for approval, as the city of Houston tried?
If you attend one of the storefront churches on Main Street, LifePoint or First Presbyterian Church, you'd better attend the City Council meetings on June 8 and June 22. Let your voices be heard, before it is too late.
And if you don't attend one of the churches currently being affected, don't be complacent. If city planners get away with this, who knows what area will be targeted next?
One last reminder: Pray that the city will make the right decision. Our Lord hears our prayers and works in mysterious ways.
Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Pray for the war on downtown churches