Today church buildings around the country, and I suppose around the world, will be filled with worshipers wearing masks.
If you think it looks odd, you ought to be the one preaching from the pulpit and look at an entire assembly of masked men and women.
There’s been much controversy, especially among Christians and religious conservatives, about wearing masks. The efficacy of wearing masks has been discussed, debated, denied and of course, politicized.
To all Christians, we offer this spiritual advice: “No masks.”
Now before I’m raked over the coals for this controversial comment, hear me out.
It occurred to me there’s irony about Christians wearing masks. Before COVID-19, I’ve known many Christians who wear masks. Emotional masks. They’re hurting. Emotionally. Physically. Relationally. Financially. Or maybe spiritually. But they hide their hurt, mask their pain, and suppress their feelings so no one will see, or know.
The Bible instructs those in God’s Family to “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). But I can’t bear my sister or brother’s burden if she or he is concealing it. I’m not suggesting that we ought to indiscriminately and inappropriately divulge the titillating details of our problems to just anyone, or everyone.
But there’s a time, and place, and a person to whom we need to take off the mask. To get real. To seek counsel. To find someone who’ll help shoulder the burden. Soothe the pain. And offer help, hope, and healing. To a great degree, my church family ought to be a place where I can take off my mask.
In the words of the poet William J. Crocker:
If this is not a place where tears are understood,
Where do I go to cry?
If this is not a place where my spirits can take wing,
Where do I go to fly?
If this is not a place where my questions can be asked,
Where do I go to seek?
If this is not a place where my feelings can be heard,
Where do I go to speak?
If this is not a place where you’ll accept me as I am,
Where can I go to be?
If this is not a place where I can try to learn and grow,
Where can I be just me?
Church. Let’s make it a place and a people where no masks are worn. Spiritually speaking.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
Yes, for sure, our church family should be a place, spiritually, where we can take off the ‘mask’.
I have prayed to God to lead me to such a place.
Thanks for posting. 🤗
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My church once did a sermon series titled “Removing the Masks” which spoke about when we can just put on appearances to hide what is going on in our lives
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On the subject of actual face masks, my church has been holding services outdoors and people are required to wear a mask. We held a survey this week and my congregation is divided over having services indoors again or continue to live stream on Sunday
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Thank you – appreciated! May God bless us to take off the masks that would allow us to tap the wealth of fellowship while understanding that physical and spiritual love and care for one another however it may be shown is ever woven into the commandment of loving God and one another.
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