Dear family at Grace,
Many have been reaching out to ask how the church is going to respond to the new mask mandate our governor has issued. The short answer is, we are grateful that we have a few more weeks outside where the decision does not greatly affect us, but when we do move inside the decision from the elders is that we will be focusing on the work the Lord has called us to in making disciples and “equipping his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:12). We will not be focused on masks or vaccines! We are leaving that decision up to each individual and will respect whatever decision they make (Rom. 14). If you want to wear a mask for whatever reason you are welcome to, and if you choose not to we will also honor that personal decision.
The longer reason is that after much discussion and prayer, the elders feel that this is the best decision for the love, care, and shepherding of our church body, which is what we have ultimately been called to. From the start of this season, we have focused on four fundamental questions and biblical principles:
For the majority of the pandemic season, we felt that the answer to those questions was to do all we could to follow the guidelines that were given in the name of public health and being a good citizen. We wanted to “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). And we honestly feel like we have done our best at that. We also emphasized repeatedly that while we were called to submit to our governmental leaders, that submission to a human authority is never ultimate. Our ultimate submission is to the Lord alone (Acts 5:29).
After seeing the effects that masks and social distancing had on our church body last year (they discourage singing, they hide non-verbal facial expression, they hamper clear communication, and they create an enormous challenge in getting to know new people coming to the church), and in light of the availability of the COVID vaccine for any who want it, the elders feel that asking people to wear masks in church is no longer the right answer to the above questions.
To be clear, this is not first about American rights, although we do believe in a proper use of them. We are first citizens of heaven and second citizens of earth. In addition, we are not fomenting a “stick it to the man” approach in rebellion to the government. Rather, we are seeking wisdom according to Scripture as to what is best for the spiritual well-being of our specific local congregation at this time. In other words, we are not fighting for our rights as much as we are fighting to keep the gospel going forward.
We would also encourage each member to take personal responsibility in helping to keep others healthy by self-quarantining for any sickness with obvious symptoms. Scripture calls us to be generous in attitude, humble, respectful, and dignified, and so as elders we exhort you to be kind and compassionate to one another as we continue to walk through this season as a local church family. The gospel is what binds us together as new creations in Christ, and we would be well served to remember that in our interactions with one another.
We realize that we cannot make everyone happy in this, but we can seek to please the Lord and pursue what we believe to be the wisest course of action for the spiritual well-being of this church at this time and with these circumstances. We love each and every one of you, and are thankful for the work that God is continuing to do at Grace Bible. As always, we covet your prayers and encourage you to continue fighting the good fight of faith.
The Elders of Grace Bible Church
Many have been reaching out to ask how the church is going to respond to the new mask mandate our governor has issued. The short answer is, we are grateful that we have a few more weeks outside where the decision does not greatly affect us, but when we do move inside the decision from the elders is that we will be focusing on the work the Lord has called us to in making disciples and “equipping his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:12). We will not be focused on masks or vaccines! We are leaving that decision up to each individual and will respect whatever decision they make (Rom. 14). If you want to wear a mask for whatever reason you are welcome to, and if you choose not to we will also honor that personal decision.
The longer reason is that after much discussion and prayer, the elders feel that this is the best decision for the love, care, and shepherding of our church body, which is what we have ultimately been called to. From the start of this season, we have focused on four fundamental questions and biblical principles:
- How do we love our neighbor best?
- How do we love our church body best?
- How do we reflect Christ best?
- How do we honor our government leaders best?
For the majority of the pandemic season, we felt that the answer to those questions was to do all we could to follow the guidelines that were given in the name of public health and being a good citizen. We wanted to “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). And we honestly feel like we have done our best at that. We also emphasized repeatedly that while we were called to submit to our governmental leaders, that submission to a human authority is never ultimate. Our ultimate submission is to the Lord alone (Acts 5:29).
After seeing the effects that masks and social distancing had on our church body last year (they discourage singing, they hide non-verbal facial expression, they hamper clear communication, and they create an enormous challenge in getting to know new people coming to the church), and in light of the availability of the COVID vaccine for any who want it, the elders feel that asking people to wear masks in church is no longer the right answer to the above questions.
To be clear, this is not first about American rights, although we do believe in a proper use of them. We are first citizens of heaven and second citizens of earth. In addition, we are not fomenting a “stick it to the man” approach in rebellion to the government. Rather, we are seeking wisdom according to Scripture as to what is best for the spiritual well-being of our specific local congregation at this time. In other words, we are not fighting for our rights as much as we are fighting to keep the gospel going forward.
We would also encourage each member to take personal responsibility in helping to keep others healthy by self-quarantining for any sickness with obvious symptoms. Scripture calls us to be generous in attitude, humble, respectful, and dignified, and so as elders we exhort you to be kind and compassionate to one another as we continue to walk through this season as a local church family. The gospel is what binds us together as new creations in Christ, and we would be well served to remember that in our interactions with one another.
We realize that we cannot make everyone happy in this, but we can seek to please the Lord and pursue what we believe to be the wisest course of action for the spiritual well-being of this church at this time and with these circumstances. We love each and every one of you, and are thankful for the work that God is continuing to do at Grace Bible. As always, we covet your prayers and encourage you to continue fighting the good fight of faith.
The Elders of Grace Bible Church