Judge grants injunction to prevent megachurch from meeting indoors

Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles has been prohibited by a superior court judge from holding indoor worship services for the time being.

A preliminary injunction was granted by the LA Superiour Court on Sept. 10, investigative journalist and Christian Julie Roys reports.

The megachurch has been stopped from hosting its indoor services by the County of Los Angeles over concerns how the services have been conducted.

Indoor services at the church have been filled with little social distancing and with many congregants not wearing masks over the past few weeks.

Court officials said in a statement they were grateful for the decision that supported the county's public health orders.

"We now look forward to working with church leaders on a plan to move services outdoors with physical distancing and the use of face coverings, which will allow worshipers to gather for religious observances in a manner that is lower risk and consistent with public health directives," the statement reads.

L.A. county public health orders currently hold a temporary ban on hosting indoor religious services.

Grace Community Church and its pastor, MacArthur, have previously stated they would not adhere to California's rules surrounding religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a blog post from late July, MacArthur says he and his church are subject to the governance of Christ and to a lesser degree, the laws of the state. The church has maintained throughout the pandemic that it has a duty to remain open.

Roys was not able to immediately reach Grace Community Church for comment.