Are church services allowed Sunday in Knoxville? Yes, but it's not encouraged

There is nothing stopping worshipers from congregating for services, but no official is recommending churches, synagogues and mosques throw open their doors right away.

In Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order No. 30, signed Tuesday, he “strongly encouraged” that places of worship opt for online services. But, he wrote that “nothing in this order mandates closure of places of worship, or prohibits weddings or funerals as a matter of law.”

“It’s important to remember and know that church services have never been closed, even through the first level of executive order," Lee said Wednesday during a news conference. "First Amendment rights are incredibly important."

Lee's executive order also prevents local officials or governments from regulating places of worship.

On Monday, the Knox County Health Department released Phase 1 guidelines for the reopening of certain establishments that had been closed or had operations altered due to the coronavirus pandemic. The county included places of worship in Phase 1 and outlined several regulations that churches would need to follow if they held onsite services during Phase 1, which began Friday and will continue for at least 28 days.

Those county guidelines are moot, according to Lee’s executive order.

“That was the very clear in the governor’s Order 30, that the local jurisdictions cannot make the requirements on faith-based community practices in any way, shape or form,” Charity Menefee of the Knox County Health Department said during a news conference Thursday.

Lee, known for his strong Christian faith, had sharp words during a March 20 news conference for churches that continued to gather during the pandemic.

“Quite frankly, they’re risking people’s lives,” Lee said. “There are ways to worship and there are ways to serve without congregating people. And I’m urging and challenging churches to do just that.”

Throughout the past several weeks, many churches opted for online or drive-in services. And, although Lee isn't prohibiting traditional services, most Knoxville churches are unlikely to resume traditional services this weekend.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville aims to resume public Masses at its parishes on May 30-31.

“I understand how much our parishioners want to return to their churches, see their priests, and once again have a personal connection with the sacraments. However, there are steps we need to take to ensure that we can do this safely,” Bishop Richard Stika said in a news release.  

The Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church, which oversees churches in East Tennessee, northwest Georgia and southwest Virginia, instructed its churches to remain closed.

"This is not an easy decision, but the cabinet and I do not want our United Methodist Churches to be open at this time," Bishop Dindy Taylor said. "Lives in our communities need to be protected."

Baptists believe in local church autonomy, giving pastors the decision of whether to reconvene traditional services.

Pastor John Mark Harrison of First Baptist Concord, a prominent church in Farragut, said in a message to members that the church will continue to opt for online services with the goal of resuming in-person services in late May or early June.

“Let’s understand that we’re trying to make the best decisions in a difficult circumstance, and let’s worship the Lord together online, and we’ll see each other again, in person, very soon," Harrison said.

Lee praised churches for their central place in many Tennesseans lives, and for approaching worship responsibly.

"I want to applaud the efforts of churches all across Tennessee to find alternative ways to meet and to worship and to serve and to communicate with their congregations and with the people that they are in connection with," Lee said.

The county’s Phase 1 guidelines, made moot by Lee’s order, required that seating at onsite services by limited to 50% capacity. Among other requirements:

• Ministers and parishioners would be required to wear face coverings.
• Only core services would be permitted. Groups, classes and social activities like potlucks would not be allowed.
• Communion should not be performed.
• Seating should be aligned to ensure 6 feet of physical distancing in all directions between households.
• Singing is discouraged, as it is thought to spread the virus more than talking.
• Communal items like Bibles, hymnals and tithe plates should be removed.
• Hugs and handshake greetings should not occur.
•  Deep cleaning should occur between services.

Email Blake Toppmeyer at blake.toppmeyer@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. If you enjoy Blake’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.