HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Churches across the Tennessee Valley are now allowed to reopen. However, some leaders are holding off just a little bit longer.
Leaders at the Fellowship of Faith Church in Huntsville met for the first time in about two months for Sunday service. It was just a couple of weeks ago the church's pastor, Pastor Troy Garner, shared how it's been a struggle with tithing.
Although churches are now allowed to reopen, Garner says he's not ready for the congregation to come back just yet. He says the re-openings have allowed people to think the virus is no longer a threat.
"The virus is still there, and we just still have to be careful and prayerful and as a pastor - my number one priority is safety," says Garner.
Garner and leaders have gone over their plan of action since Wednesday. They've discussed and practiced dismissing the church by section. Tithing and offering can also be collected on the way out. The children's ministry will stop temporarily so that families are together.
Leaders say they plan to give masks and gloves to parishioners who don't have any.
"We want to minimize their contact with anything that would potentially cause them to be in harm's way," says Deaconess Nicole Fields.
"Christ is number one. Christianity is good, but we've got to put safety along with that to make sure everybody is in a safe environment," added Elder Nathan Fields.
Garner says he'll also minimize the length of service to prevent people from lingering.
"We want to keep the service, an hour or less. That way when they get in here, our philosophy has to be is the only thing we want them to touch is God. So, they get in and get out," says Garner.
Garner plans to reopen the church either on the first or second Sunday of June.