Moore Pastor's Idea To Hold Drive-In Service Shut Down By City Officials

A church in Moore was denied by city officials for trying to reach their community in a new way. City officials claimed the pastor’s idea violated the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions on social gatherings.

The pastor of Moore Baptist Temple said a drive-in church service in their parking lot is a safe alternative and it could help the community during this trying time.

Online services are the new way to attend church during this pandemic.

Pastor Sven Larson of Moore Baptist Temple holds an online service every Sunday, but he thinks there is another safe alternative.

“Our plan is to have cars drive-in,” Larson said. “Stay a safe distance away, the people should remain in their cars the whole time.”

Much like a drive-in movie, they would even broadcast the service through an FM radio station.

“We believe it could be even safer than going to a store,” said Larson. “Going to Walmart in the respect of social distancing.”

But when he went to city officials, Larson said they immediately shut him down without even listening to how it would keep people safe.

“Moore’s position that has been stated to me is that they do not want any gatherings at all,” said Larson. “(That) is their interpretation of the governor’s order.”

They referenced the social gathering statement in the governor's nine-page executive order. The governor's office said they are leaving that open to municipalities to interpret and decide what is right for their residents.

“We understand we have a constitutional right to go ahead and do it as a church, but that’s not our spirit. Our spirit is we want to do it safely,” Larson said.