Churches in New York state can now worship in greater numbers under a new federal ruling with relaxing restrictions. However, a Fort Greene pastor says his in-person services won’t reconvene just yet. 

Alex Williams, senior pastor at Institutional International Ministries, says he misses Sunday service and that members haven’t attended for months. 

“I’m very conscientious and very careful of opening our doors prematurely... especially when numbers in other states are rising, I'm just not ready to take that risk right now,” said Williams. 

In late June, a federal judge blocked New York state from enforcing restrictions that had limited indoor faith gatherings to 25%.  

“I think it is each individual leader's duty to be responsible and accountable to opening your doors and taking the right precautions,” said Williams. 

The Brooklyn pastor has been streaming all church services online since the start of the pandemic. 

“Us being online has actually grown our church...normally we have attendance around 100 people, again we have 2,000 people who have been watching us,” said Williams. 

He says that with their strong social media presence, the doors of the church will not be open just yet. 

“Because of the numbers spiking in different areas, we don't have a definitive date of when we are starting, we just have to make sure it's safe,” said Williams. 

The pastor tells News 12 he’s anxious to reopen his doors, but that he also says precaution is better and that his church members are his first priority.