Sign of the Times: Face Masks Become Partisan

Recently, I read an article by Eric Geiger on “2 Reasons Re-Opening the Church Will Be More Challenging than Closing the Church.” In the article, Geiger states,

Other than a few crazy voicemails to our church telling us that we no longer loved God for closing the church, people were on the same page that it was right and good for churches to close in the midst of the pandemic. What people, even church leaders, are not on the same page about is when churches should re-open. While there was unity in closing church gatherings, there will be disagreement in when and how to re-open church gatherings.

This is an interesting read that touches on one of the more difficult problems to emerge from the COVID-19 shutdown. The nation was divided before the shutdown, but this experience has brought these deep divisions to the surface and exposed them.

Ministering in the midst of this divide is a challenge for pastors. Both sides of the Left-Right divide are dug in and a state of continual confrontation exists throughout our culture. The church needs to be an agent of reason and dialog in the midst of this division (what some are referring to as a Cold Civil War), but it is becoming more and more difficult as the lines of division begin to creep into the church.

For example, the latest point of the conflict raging through our culture concerns face masks. Should we wear masks or should we not? It is no longer a question of what is practical or not; it is now a political statement if you choose to wear a mask or choose not to wear a mask.

Those who believe the government is reopening the economy too fast and will cost lives are adamant that if you go out of your house, you should wear a mask. It should be required.

Those who believe this whole COVID-19 thing is a hoax and handout copies of "Plandemic" to everyone they meet refuse to wear a mask even when businesses post signs indicating they will not serve you without a mask.

Unfortunately, this division will likely come into the church when we begin to regather. There will be people in your congregation who will be outraged that folks are attending church without a mask. As a pastor, you will hear about it.

At the same time, there will be folks coming to your church who scoff at the "mask rules" and will let you know that if the church ever requires them to wear a mask, they will stay home and might even look for another church.

As a pastor, you need to be ready for these confrontations and prepare your volunteer leaders to graciously handle the comments that may come their way.

For example, have you considered if you will require masks for certain positions? Should your greeters and ushers be required to wear masks and gloves? If you follow the lead of other businesses, you will require masks. Many businesses that are reopening require their employees to wear masks and gloves.

Immediately, this will trigger those on the "this is a hoax" side of the divide. "They can't believe their church has bought into this lie! Where's the pastor?"

If you choose not to have your greeters wearing masks, then you might be described as “reckless” and “putting the lives of people at risk!"

You can't win.

So, how do you navigate this great divide?

1. Know what your community guidelines are on the mask and gloves issue. Are you required by community guidelines to wear masks and gloves? Be sure you are well informed on this issue.
2. Make sure (really, don't assume, but make sure) your leadership team is all on the same page concerning this issue. Don't get sideswiped by some of your leaders publicly stating they do not support your stand on this issue.
3. Communicate your plans clearly ahead of time. Don't wait until you reopen your doors to let people figure out whether they can expect to see masks or not.
4. Prepare your volunteers for how the church is responding to this issue. Don't let your greeters get caught by surprise. They are your first point of contact and will likely be the first point of conflict.
5. Give members of your church the opportunity to provide feedback to church leadership via email. Don't let it blow up on your Facebook page.
6. Remind your church to be kind and tenderhearted towards one another (Ephesians 4:32).
   

Pastors can seize this opportunity to clarify and restate their chief priorities and to model the kind of grace and love for one another our communities desperately need to see modeled. Here are some examples:

• First Baptist has always been a place where all types of people can hear the gospel. Whether someone is wearing a mask or not on Sunday, let's do all we can to let every person know that they are welcome.
• Community Church is not a church for liberals or conservatives or any other label. We are a church for this community. Regardless of your opinion on the government's response to the pandemic, we want to help you find your place in God's kingdom—the only one that will last for eternity.
• At Greek Word Church, we want to love our neighbors well. We want to seek their good in every possible way under heaven. In the least, that means we want to take measures to ensure the health and safety of those who are most vulnerable... even if it poses an inconvenience for us. So if you are able and willing to join our services in person on Sunday, please wear a mask and follow the guidelines below....

We live in a divided country, and the COVID-19 crisis has brought those divisions to the surface. The church is capable of navigating in rough seas, but it will take discernment, grace, and wisdom. We need to be in constant prayer asking our Lord to give us these gifts in abundance.