Furious Hillsong founder Brian Houston claims Christians are being 'discriminated' against as he asks why weddings in NSW can host 300 people but churches are only allowed 100
Church services have been excluded from the latest round of eased COVID-19 restrictions in New South Wales, sparking one religious leader to claim discrimination.
Hillsong founder Brian Houston expressed his outrage over the snub by Premier Gladys Berejiklian in a string of rule changes announced on Monday.
Weddings will be permitted to have up to 300 guests from December 1, while corporate events can now also have the same amount in any setting.
But strict limits remain in place for church services with attendances capped at 100, despite some megachurches in Sydney having space for over 4,000 people.
Hillsong founder Brian Houston (pictured with wife Bobbi) isn't happy with the latest round of NSW restrictions
'So interesting that the NSW govt are about to allow 300 people to attend an indoor wedding, and things are being relaxed for the hospitality industry, but still no changes for churches,' a furious Mr Houston tweeted on Monday.
'We have a building with space for 4000 people yet can only have 100 in there. Reason given is 'church ppl know each other (are too friendly).
'Do you think people are not friendly at weddings? It's getting to the point where it is discrimination.'
Mr Houston later uploaded a screenshot of his tweets to Instagram.
'It's time church leaders unite to take a stand. We are all committed to keeping people safe, but it seems churches are not even being considered for a steady easing of restrictions,' he wrote.
Weddings will be allowed to have up to 300 guests from December 1. Pictured is a recent wedding ceremony in Coonabarabran in NSW's central west
Hillsong founder Brian Houston urged religious leaders unite to take a stand in a united fight to have church services attendances increased from 100
Mr Houston was inundated with online messages of support.
'Love this, sir. we support you and may God give you wisdom as you move forward,' one person commented.
Others agreed with Mr Houston's claims of discrimination and commended the pastor for speaking out.
'It's been discrimination toward churches/religion for a long time. Glad to see you standing up!' one woman commented.
Another added: 'Discrimination against the church is visible.'
Attendances at church services remains restricted to 100 in NSW, despite attendances increasing to up to 300 for weddings. Pictured is a service at Mary Immaculate Church in Waverley
Founded in 1983 by Mr Houston and his wife Bobbi, Hillsong had an average global attendance of 150,000 at its weekly church services pre-COVID-19.
NSW recorded four new cases on Monday, who were all returned travellers in hotel quarantine.
It was the first time in two weeks the state had recorded zero locally-acquired transmissions.
The outdoor gathering cap will be increased from 20 to 30, while group bookings at hospitality venues will increase from 10 to 30.
Up to 500 revellers can also attend open-air concerts so long as they stay seated.
'We're trying to make things as free as possible for our citizens but it's really important to maintain that level of COVID safety,' Ms Berejiklian said.
The NSW Premier also urged families to dine out this Christmas instead of celebrating at home.
'The health experts have give us advice that it could actually be safer to go to a restaurant or somewhere which is COVID-safe to have your Christmas lunch than indoors in a confined space and we want everybody to think about their plans and to plan ahead for that,' she said.
From December, the permissible number of guests at weddings will be lifted to 300 people, provided they are seated