News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Churches around the Upper Cumberland see around two thirds of their members returning to services.
North Sparta Church of God Pastor Steve Gerhart said they average around 155 members after three Sunday services. Before the coronavirus, they averaged around 180 members. Gerhart said his congregation is relieved to finally be back together in person.
“You can gather parts of a car, but until it is assembled it is not a car,” Gerhart said. “That’s the way we feel about the body of Christ. We need that assembly together. Of course, we can do that spiritually connecting online in different ways but getting together is so exciting.”
Gerhart said they host two separate services on Sunday morning to control the amount of people in the building. North Sparta Church of God continue online services during the week.
Cookeville’s Sovereign Grace Baptist Church Pastor Bryant Owens said they average around 40 members after two Sunday services. Originally, they averaged around 60 members. Owens said services have ran smoothly since opening their doors again.
“Our congregation is elated to see one another again,” Owens said. “Our children here are excited to see one another, but we’ve still do not have a full gathering of children activities yet, but they are eager to get back into the church.”
Owens said they are shifting their ministry focus during this time to supplying the community with essential needs. Sovereign Grace Baptist Church host services once every Sunday morning and are discussing reopening midweek bible study soon.
Both congregations practice social distancing and provide face masks and hand sanitizer to members. The churches disinfect their facilities between services and do not shake hands or hug in the building.
On May 1st, Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order blocked local governments from regulating places of worship as an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.
