Churches are a haven for God’s people and a target for those who hate them. As a result, responsible churches have taken Jesus words to heart:
“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves.” ∞ Matthew 10:16 (Holman Christian Standard Bible).
Knowing that Satan will do whatever he can to destroy a church, shrewd leaders have taken many steps to keep parishioners safe—mandatory criminal background checks for children and youth workers, safety patrols barring entry of unauthorized people during Vacation Bible School, and volunteers trained to counter an active shooter, to name a few.
In the COVID-19 pandemic, safety involves six feet social distancing, frequent hand washing, and wearing cloth face masks. So why would a church reopen after a mandatory lockdown to slow the spread without a key element of government safety protocols—asking people to wear face masks? Is it political, a distrust of the government and media, an expression of personal freedom, or something else? Whatever the reason, this choice does not meet the “harmless as doves” standard. It forces high-risk people—due to disability, being age 65 or older, or both—who depend on others to wear masks, to keep a safe distance at home.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, without a cloth face covering, a person in close proximity to another can spread the virus through their mouth or nose when they breathe, speak, or sing. Even with a social distancing policy, people still get close to each other when they bunch together in a line, pass each other in a hallway, or are together in a bathroom.
Individual decisions not to wear a mask have the effect of excluding high-risk people from church and run counter to God’s law of liberty and love discussed in Romans 14. Paul talked about different beliefs on eating and honoring special days that resulted in church members judging and despising one another. He reminded believers that they do not live for themselves and asked them not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Today people have different beliefs on wearing face masks. And we need to consider that those who believe they are free not to wear a face mask are hurting members who believe they cannot attend church as a result. ”For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” ∞ Galatians 5:13 (New Living Translation)
Together we can make church a safe place for everyone. Look for the October release of my book—PASS ME YOUR SHOES: A Couple with Dwarfism Navigates Life’s Detours with Love and Faith—which discusses what happens when God intervenes in a marriage complicated by dishonesty, dwarfism, discord, and discrimination. The story speaks to the hearts of everyone, regardless of their differences, difficulties, or legal status.
8 replies on “Staying Safe in Church”
You are amazing. Thought provoking, inspirational and a masterful writer. I wish you success and many blessings with your blog and look forward to your next entry.
Thanks Sandy. I appreciate your feedback on this controversial topic. I have been surprised that so many churches have not been leading the way in keeping church members safe.
You bring up great points. I really hate the divisiveness and even the feeling of being sort of shamed for wanting to social distance and wear a mask. Thank you for writing!
Yes the divisiveness is very disappointing and hard to understand given the catastrophic consequences of ignoring health recommendations.
Thank you, Angela, for stating this so beautifully! I went to scripture to see what my own response should be according to the Word of God, and came to the same conclusion you did here. Then I simply shared it on Facebook as to why I would be wearing a mask. So many of my Christian sisters accused me of “judging” them in their decision NOT to wear a mask. (The post was about MY own personal decision, go figure!) I invited some to share the scriptures they are relying on to conclude that they are acting in a manner worthy of the gospel by NOT wearing their mask, so that I could try to understand their point of view, and they just weren’t able to do so. One person quoted a few half sentences of scripture taken out of context, but that is the best I got, along with some reference to Jesus challenging government authority. I ended up deleting the post because people were very unkind and heated in their responses. I just don’t get what is so hard for anyone, especially Christians, to understand about how to love & serve others. It’s simple–Love God & love others. It truly breaks my heart. I am thankful that my church is requiring masks-it is a small gesture & in NO WAY does it offend my God or infringe upon my religious freedom or rights as a U.S. citizen as so many are screaming!
Thank you for your thoughtful response Jane and attempt to persuade others to see the mask issue from a Scriptural standpoint. As one commentator likes to say, the response is “baked in” no matter what people say that is contrary to the line they have drawn in the sand. Very sad indeed.
Thank you Angela for sharing this beautiful truthfilled writing! May we all have our minds washed in the water of the Word and sincerely love one another as Christ… I miss you and hope we can all safely gather for worship soon❣️
Yes, I miss seeing you too Mary. As more people return to church, social distancing is getting harder. The need to wear masks is even more obvious to me than when I wrote this post a month ago, but apparently not for those who do not social distance or wear a mask. I just don’t understand why fellow believers reject common sense and ignore those who need them to wear a mask.