‘It’s a crucial component of their ministry’s outreach to those who might never step foot in a conventional church’
By Bob Unruh
Los Angeles County has decided to ban meetings of Church on the Beach, a Christian group that for years has obtained a permit to meet on the county’s public beach for worship.
And the American Center for Law and Justice is challenging the decision.
The legal team has sent a detailed demand letter to officials there, outlining the constitutional violations of singling out one organization because of its viewpoint and discriminating against members.
“Our letter made it clear that the county’s actions violate well-established First Amendment principles as articulated by the Supreme Court in cases like Widmar v. Vincent and Lamb’s Chapel. We’ve given the County until March 20, 2025, to provide assurances that this discriminatory policy will be ended and that churches will be free to use the beach under the same generally applicable rules as nonreligious gatherings,” the legal team explained in an online report.
The church for 18 years has been serving its community faithfully by holding services on Redondo Beach, with proper permits from the county.
“Approximately 120 people gather every Sunday morning to worship in God’s creation, with many attendees specifically choosing this setting because they have had difficult or negative experiences in traditional church buildings. The beach location isn’t merely a preference – it’s a crucial component of their ministry’s outreach to those who might never step foot in a conventional church,” the ACLJ reported.