Some switch to online services, other churches preach in person

Some switch to online services, other churches preach in person

Today is palm sunday... and many believers are worshipping from home to abide by social distancing guidelines.

But -- not every church has transitioned away from in-person services.

News 10's richard solomon has more on how some congregations are getting creative with services... and how the health department is checking in on others.

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The parking lot of the bridge church in terre haute looked empty sunday morning.

Pastor billy joe henry says his congregation is following the governor's and cdc's health recommendations.

"we want to have church we want to be together.

Once it went from suggested to manidated and it became a command by our governor, then we have to obay the laws of the land."

Many churches are closed right now -- but not all.

This is what it looked like outside the bible baptist church sunday morning.

I spoke with a health department official who told me an environmental health specialists was called here.

That specialist counted 78 people inside the church.

I reached out to church leaders to find out why in-person services are still happening.

Pastor kevin szwarga told me the church *is following state and c-d-c guidelines.

He says religious organizations are exempt from some restrictions under governor eric holcomb's declaration.

Back at the bridge church... i asked pastor henry what advice he is sharing with his church members.

"stay home and watch it on the internet.

To some people their spiritual health is essential to them.

So therefore we chose only and only to stream live stream our services online."

Other churches in the wabash valley are doing the same.

Here's video from northside community churches' service.

And across state lines... the new beginnings church of newton in illinois is recording service for facebook and youtube.

Pastor henry says this is how he will spread "the word" until this too has passed.

"it is important to us to not just take care of ourselves but to be...to take care of the ones that we're around during the course of our day that we may take it home to."

Health department officials say the governor will soon be coming out with stricter guidelines on what services are essential.

Reporting in, terre haute, richard solomon news 10.

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