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Statement

A Statement from Ps Peter Mortlock on Behalf of City Impact Church on Vaccine Mandates and Church Services in the COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights)
December 5, 2021

John 17: 20-23
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 

In over 40 years of Pastoring I have never seen anything like the challenges that have been presented to the Church, our Nation and even the World in the last few years. 

This is new territory for everyone, and we are all endeavouring to work through this “season” the best way possible.

We are working it through in keeping with scripture and in accordance with the restrictions that have been placed upon us.

From the beginning in 1982 and to this day, City Impact Church has had a three part Vision Statement, and we will continue to fulfil this vision / mandate from God.

  1. To see Souls saved.
  2. To Worship and Glorify God.
  3. To see the Church grow in Unity, Maturity and Wholeness.

We acknowledge, as New Zealand moves into the ‘Traffic Light’ framework many organisations, businesses and individuals are having to make decisions they have never made before.

Over many weeks and months, with much research and prayer, we have carefully assessed the options available to us. 

In deciding on the best ‘Way Forward’ for our church, we value the following scriptures:

Romans 14 is a whole chapter on not judging others for their choice, nor condemning or excluding, or belittling anyone on the basis of personal choice or conviction over these matters.

Unity in the church is paramount. (Psalms 133, Colossians 3:11, Galatians 3:28, John 17).

Inclusion (non-exclusion, all welcome) is also important to us as Christians. (James 2, Colossians 3:11, Galatians 3:28)

As such City Impact Church has always been, and will continue to be, open to all.

As Jesus said – “Come unto me ALL that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

Christ broke down every dividing wall (Ephesians 2:14) and we certainly don’t want to be putting any division back up as we see that there is no justification for segregation or division in the Scriptures.

As much as possible, in line with scripture, we also want to comply with all Government directives.

Therefore, our current plan to work through this season is:

Church services will always be streamed online.

Under the Red Light we will have small off site gatherings that will NOT require vaccine passes, limited to a maximum of 25 people.

Currently throughout Auckland we have groups of 25 or less gathering off site to share our Sunday morning online service. To find out how you can join one of these gatherings please click here.

In Auckland we will continue with these Sunday gatherings in locations around the city through the Christmas/New Year period.  If Auckland moves into Orange Light before the 23rd of January we will have our first meetings of groups of up to 50 at our North Shore, Mount Wellington and Westgate Campuses on the 23rd of January 2022.

Under Orange Light our church services and gatherings will NOT require vaccine passes and will be limited to groups of 50, plus workers.

Currently in our South Island Campuses (Orange Light) we are running Services on site in groups of no more than 50 people, plus workers. For more info on where you can join one of these services click here.

Under Green Light our church services and gatherings will NOT require vaccine passes and will be limited to groups of 100, plus workers.

Further announcements will be made about our other Movie Theatre Campuses in Botany  and Tauranga who are currently meeting in gatherings appropriate for their traffic light. For more info on how you can connect with one of these gatherings click here.

  • Sunday Services are currently streamed online every Sunday at 10am and will continue under all light colours. Watch on our Youtube channel, Facebook page or our website.
  • For more info on how to join a Sunday Gathering click here.
  • For press enquiries click here.

To watch my two part series I preached to the church covering all of this called “The Way Forward” click here.