Why I wear a mask…
As has been my practice over the
years when I encounter a controversial issue I want to let you know exactly
where I stand. After much prayer, study and group discernment I try to land
where God wants me to be on the issue and lead from there. Masks are one of
those issues.
For the time being when you
encounter me on Sunday I will likely be wearing a mask and there are 3 reason I
do this:
#1) If I am
carrying the virus I don’t want to spread it to you.
I know there are many things we don’t know about this virus
but the one consistent message I hear is masks help keep others safe and I want
to do that.
#2) I wish to
honor those who made the masks for SMC to give away as ministry and mission
outreach.
Family and friends of SMC have made hundreds of these! They
are well made and beautiful! They were made as expressions of love to care for
our community, including hospitals, care centers, healthcare workers and people
from the community. We have a good supply of these masks for our opening Sunday
and they will be available for anyone who wants one-these are gifts made and
given in love.
#3) I know there
are people who will feel safer when I wear a mask.
When we get together I WANT TO TALK TO PEOPLE! If wearing a
mask allows me talk to more people I’ll do it. No one has told me they feel
unsafe when I wear a mask.
The other thing you need to know
is when I get up to preach I will take my mask off. Believe it or not preaching
is stressful. It takes all the air I can get, so the last thing I want to do is
not get enough air and pass out-it may be entertaining for you but not for me
;) The distance I preach from will be 12 feet from the nearest person, which is a
safe distance by any standard of social is distancing I’m told.
When I take off my mask to preach
I will welcome you to do the same. Masks can be hot, steam up your glasses,
make your ears hurt, slide down your nose and in general are not what people
want to wear. I get that. Once we are together in our spaces for worship with
safe distances between us and I’m the only one talking, I believe it would be
safe to remove masks. When I’m done preaching, I’ll be putting mine back as
I’ll be talking to people again at close range.
Hopefully you know where I stand
and why. If you have questions or concerns about this issue or others regarding
our reopening please let me know. I’m glad to discern with you and the Lord
what His will is on all matters (Proverbs 3:6).
Amen, Todd
ps-yes that is one of my son Elliot's senior pictures, he even looks cool in a mask ;)
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