When Hillsong senior pastor, Brian Houston, called out authorities for discrimination against church restrictions, rules around church services have now eased.
Brian Houston
Brian noticed the double-standard when in New South Wales, where the Hillsong church is based, authorities allowed up to 300 people gatherings for a wedding but only 100 people for church services.
Even more so in sporting events. Just last week, 4,0000 people a day attended the Bathurst 1000 car race.
With this, he accused the local government of unfair treatment for churches. He invited Christians to “take a stand” against the biased restrictions. He wrote on Instagram, “It’s time church leaders unite to take a stand. We are all committed to keeping people safe, but it seems churches are not even being considered for a steady easing of restrictions.”
Church restrictions
A screenshot of his Twitter was included in the post. He said, “We have a building with space for 4000 people yet can only have 100 in there. Reason given is “church people know each other (too friendly). Do you think people are not friendly at weddings? It’s getting to a point where it is discrimination.”
He then made an appearance on The Today Show. The megachurch pastor continued to point out the difference in restrictions for churches and events. He said that people attending football games are cheering, hugging, spitting and high-fiving. Meanwhile, there have been no changes to churches.
“Mental health, as we all know, and health generally, well-being is a big, big thing. Isolation doesn’t help that at all,” he said. “Church, part of what we do, is community and connection. I know a lot of people just longing for that sense of community and connection.”
After Brian’s bold stand against the unfair rules, the state has updated its guidelines. Churches are now allowed to cater 300 people at services. They announced, “One visitor per 4 square metres of space (excluding staff), whichever is less.”
Reference: Christian Today
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