Life.Church taking reservations for worship services

Heading to church? It's more important than ever to RSVP.

In the new era of social distancing, Life.Church is asking members to reserve their seats in advance.

Preregistration is being required because seating will be limited in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Wednesday, Life.Church leaders said some Life. Church sites will resume inperson worship services on Saturday and Sunday. They said churchgoers may RSVP to ensure that they will be able to attend a service.

Leaders of the Edmond-based church said the new measures will allow everyone to sit at a safe distance from others.

“In difficult ti mes, the church is an important place of refuge for those seeking peace, comfort, and healing. After a significant amount of prayer and preparation, we've decided to resume services at some of our Life. Church locations on the weekend of May 9-10,” Bobby Gruenewald, Life. Church pastor-innovation leader, said Wednesday in a statement.

“We feel confident in our church's ability to create a sanitary, touch-less environment that allows for physical distancing and exceeds government recommendations for safety. However, we encourage our attenders to make the best choice for their family as they consider attending a physical location or continuing to worship with us at Life.Church Online.”

Church leaders said people may go to the Life. Church website or app to reserve seats.

Inane mail sent on Wednesday, Life. Church members were also told of other expected changes: Life. Kids has been temporarily suspended, food and beverages will not be offered and people were advised to arrive early.

People who are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, have had a fever of 100.4 or higher in the past 14 days, had prolonged exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or who may have another medical reason to think they shouldn't be around others, are asked to forgo in-person services and participate online instead.

The church' s leaders said not all of the church's 34 satellites would host in-person worship this weekend. However, each of the 18 Oklahoma sites are expected to do so, according to the church's website. Two churches in Texas and two in Arkansas also planned to reopen, according to the website.

Life.Church, one of the nation's largest churches, also has satellites in New York, Kansas, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Tennessee.

Life. Church' s new guidelines come as houses of worship across the state are being required to adapt to new social distancing protocols during the coronavirus crisis.

Houses of worship are currently required to adhere to certain rules including leaving every other row open and seating people at least 6 feet apart, with the exception of families may sit together.

For more information, go to www.life.church/updates.