Coronavirus update: Hillsong and Horizon make changes to service
With some of Australia’s biggest churches preparing for the coronavirus outbreak to hit their congregation, the Prime Minister’s own church has told its followers that health and safety is “and expression of love that honours the lord”.
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Megachurch Hillsong has cancelled its services Australia-wide while Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s home congregation told its worshippers that health and safety “is an expression of love that honours the lord” amid coronavirus fears.
The internationally renowned church told its followers they would not hold traditional services for the foreseeable future — telling them to worship online.
The church is in the throngs of creating a dedicated section of its website where followers can access resources instead of attending service’s in person.
The Prime Minister’s church kept their doors open on Sunday but followed his urging of not having more than 500 people meet.
“Horizon Church proceeded today with additional services run to ensure the numbers in attendance at each service were kept under 500 people as recommended by the federal government,” Senior Pastor Alison Bonhomme said.
“As for future services we will continue to monitor the advice of the Government and adhere to any recommendations they make to ensure the health and wellbeing of our church and the broader community.”
Following the federal government’s announcement, which urged the cancellation of gatherings containing more than 500 people, Hillsong Senior Pastor Brian Houston addressed his followers in a statement on Friday.
“After this weekend, we will continue to gather in groups under 500 and/or online.
“As the way forward becomes more clear, we will keep you informed about what next weekend looks like.
“My prayer is that our whole church will be committed to still gathering even if that means online which is a good and viable option,” he said.
“Ultimately, our trust is in the Lord and we are believing for your continued health and protection.
“Let’s remain in faith, compliant with those in authority and let’s believe that this pandemic will pass quickly.”
Hillsong has already started live streaming services online in New York, LA and in Italy.
The church has previously broadcast its services online to millions of followers.
In Australia, there have been more than 200 confirmed cases of the virus with 112 confirmed cases in NSW.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s home church, Horizon based in Sutherland, told worshippers they are “committed to providing a safe environment for all”.
“We believe that looking after people through wise, practical health and safety practise is an expression of love that honours the Lord,” Horizon said in a statement on Friday.
“Please join with us in continuing to pray that this outbreak is quickly resolved and that our nation's leaders would continue to be strengthened by God as they lead through this challenging time.”
There have already been mass cancellations for religious festivals around the world.
The traditional Easter mass in Basilica, Rome, is normally attended by tens of thousands of people but has since been cancelled.
The Vatican has also taken to live streaming the Pope’s daily 7am mass.
While in the UK, the Church of England has also advised against the placing of wafers directing on the tongue during communion.
They have also suspended physical contact, including the “laying of the hands”, during blessings.