On Leaving a Church Over Masks

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For some months now, Toby Sumpter and I have been blogging about the challenges posed by the mask mandates issued by various civil governments, and it has been very apparent that we have taken a dim view of that whole enterprise. But one of the downstream consequences of our very public position on this has been various levels of disruption in different churches around the country, where disagreements have arisen over this issue. In some of those disruptions, some folks have appealed to things we have written in defense of their stance or actions, and so a friend has asked me to address some particular questions as directly and clearly as I can.

This is long distance, and every church situation is different, as are all the personalities, but here are a handful of snapshot answers that I think get at the basic issues. At the same time, I am simply setting out general principles here, and cannot vouch for how judicious any application of these principles might be on the ground. More on that later, and here goes:

If the elders of an otherwise faithful church require parishioners to wear a mask in order to participate in worship, and if they refuse to make any accommodations for those who do not wish to wear a mask (e.g. sitting in the back of the balcony), and if this is the only issue on the table, I do not believe members should leave a church over this issue. I believe that to leave over this issue only would be foolish and unwise.

If someone has left a church under these circumstances, and if the only reason for doing so was this issue of masking, then I believe it would be proper for them to return to the church in order to be reconciled to their elders.

At the same time, if the elders require masks in order to participate in worship, and if they also require attendance at worship — not allowing their dissenting members to visit other churches during this time, or to worship at home, then I do think it would be possible to leave the church on that account without being rebellious. This is because the issue of mask-wearing in worship really is a matter of conscience for many, and such a decision by the elders would leave absolutely no room for conscience. Under such circumstances, a member could then leave without sinning.

But in such a case, the reason for leaving would not be “the mask thing,” but rather the fact that the elders responded to such cases of consciences in an authoritarian manner, leaving the individual concerned with no real options. That is not how cases of conscience are handled in the New Testament.

Leaving a church is not synonymous with rebelling against that church. If it is lawful to leave a church because it is a 45 minute drive to get there, and a new church was just planted 10 minutes in the other direction, then it should also be lawful to leave a church because you and the elders are no longer of the same mind. Changing churches is not to be identified with schism.

Some people change churches without schism, while others remain in the same sanctuary in the most schismatic manner possible.

But the fact that something could be done without rebellion does not mean that it was in fact done without rebellion. My father was fond of saying that there is a deeper right than being right, and a person could be right about the masks, say, and entirely wrong in attitude. As we work on maintaining unity, or on restoring fellowship, we need to examine our hearts, and not just our arguments

There was one situation where someone was leaving a church because, while the elders were not mandating masks, they were allowing them. In this dispute, our writings were being appealed to, which was odd because we allow masks at Christ Church also. It is strange for elders to be accused, in our name, when we could be accused on the same grounds. This illustrates how tangled these things can get.

If someone has left a church, and is claiming that they are doing so with my blessing, they really need to stop making that claim. This is because I have no idea what they have done, or how they have done it. For another obvious example, I have written a lot on marriage, and yet I know that there are overbearing husbands who can point to passages in my books to “justify” their continued sinning. There are unsubmissive wives who can do the same thing. I set out the principles that I believe are biblical, and yet a host of problems can still creep into the application.

If a church used to be okay, but there has been a visible slow drift leftward over the years, with various danger signs in evidence, and the members have consequently considered leaving before all this, and then the elders imposed a masking mandate, leaving can and should be a real option. But this departure would be for a cluster of weightier reasons, and not because of the last straw.

But leaving a church must be done well, and the people leaving need to be eager to answer to God for two things — both the noun and the adverb. What did they do, and what was their manner in doing it?

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kyriosity
kyriosity
4 years ago

“If someone has left a church, and is claiming that they are doing so with my blessing, they really need to stop making that claim. This is because I have no idea what they have done, or how they have done it. For another obvious example, I have written a lot on marriage, and yet I know that there are overbearing husbands who can point to passages in my books to “justify” their continued sinning. There are unsubmissive wives who can do the same thing. I set out the principles that I believe are biblical, and yet a host of… Read more »

We Be Libtards
We Be Libtards
4 years ago
Reply to  kyriosity

I attended a church for a time where the pastor was idolized by some in the congregation, both women and men. He decided to become a Harley Davidson man and he bought one of their touring bikes. He bought all the gear too – leathers, boots, helmet, the works. Well in no time about 10 men in the church – of all ages – decided they were going to be Harley men too. Inside of a year there were at least 25 men who had bought motorcycles just like or very similar to the pastor’s. And all the trimmings too.… Read more »

C Herrera
C Herrera
4 years ago
Reply to  We Be Libtards

Bootlicking? Showing your true colors there.

C Herrera
C Herrera
4 years ago
Reply to  C Herrera

Actual bootlickers, CCP style:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1302095143504285696

Dug Winsom Wilsom
Dug Winsom Wilsom
4 years ago
Reply to  We Be Libtards

Same thing happened years ago in the big red brick Presbyterian church in my old hometown. Except the pastor decided he wanted to be a Marlboro Man. It wasn’t long until he was wearing jeans with the biggest Marlboro belt buckle you ever saw, a cowboy hat, and spider killer boots. He’d greet everyone out on the church’s front stoop with a Marlboro clinched between his lips. Before anyone could say praise the Lord he had a solid following of twelve men decked out just like him. You could be sure to find on Wednesday evenings before the service, the… Read more »

Matt Baker
4 years ago

“ Some people change churches without schism, while others remain in the same sanctuary in the most schismatic manner possible.” So good, Doug. Deeply appreciate your insight.

Bill Kittrell
Bill Kittrell
4 years ago

Hey Doug, For the record… I live in TN and our state has been great with churches. It’s a gift. We have more liberties than grocery stores, restaurants, etc. We are gathering and welcome those with masks and those without masks. I’m not aware of anyone that has left our church over the mask issue though there are strongly held opinions on both sides. I appreciate so much of what you write and say including on the mask issue. But I’m more concerned that you don’t seem to own the consequences of the misuse of your opinions and teaching in… Read more »

Scarletnevermore
Scarletnevermore
4 years ago
Reply to  Bill Kittrell

Pastor Bill, no man is responsible for the misuse of his advice- he is not responsible for the mistake or sin of another person. That would in the extreme be similar to saying Jesus motivated Hitler and should repent of it since Hitler quotes Scripture in his horrible book, a position I venture you do not hold. I’m sympathetic to having to deal with outside influences and having to argue for or against other people’s advice, but as with any pastor, your responsibility is to hold your congregants accountable, and sometimes they should be held accountable for slanderous use of… Read more »

Roger
Roger
2 years ago
Reply to  Bill Kittrell

Being a Christian has nothing to do with individual rights.

Fredericka
4 years ago

Who could ever have expected, when you explained that people who wear masks are sissies, pansies, cowards, and idolaters, that you were trying to influence anyone’s behavior? When will people ever stop twisting, distorting and misrepresenting things!

We Be Libtards
We Be Libtards
4 years ago
Reply to  Fredericka

I just can’t decide which I like better.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, but the highest form of intelligence.
–Oscar Wilde

or

Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chaste-souled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded.
–Fyodor Dostoevsky

Adad
Adad
4 years ago
Reply to  We Be Libtards

In any case, brevity remains the soul of wit.

Keep trying croucho. 😏

Dug Winsom Wilsom
Dug Winsom Wilsom
4 years ago
Reply to  Adad

Someone should inform our host. I doubt you’re up to task.

Adad
Adad
4 years ago

Hey Wilson! As I am certain you are aware, Shakespeare correctly noted that “brevity is the soul of wit.” And as you are more recently aware, croucho ain’t quite there yet.

On the brevity.
Or the wit. 😏

Roger
Roger
4 years ago

The legitimate spiritual authority of church leaders doesn’t extend to mandating that healthy members wear masks or socially distance in order to attend indoor worship services. They may recommend and request, but they cannot mandate. It’s an abuse of their authority, plain and simple! Any member who decides to leave such a church because its leaders are abusing their authority (i.e., unrepentantly sinning) is well within their rights to do so, Doug Wilson’s advice notwithstanding.

Tobias
Tobias
4 years ago

Putting aside the blatant hypocrisy of progressives who DEMAND masks everywhere but pretend not to see the protesters who avoid wearing them, I don’t see an issue with erroring on the side of caution. Do they need to be mandated everywhere? Probably not. The odds of dying from COVID if one is between 10-20 are very, very low, so keep the college kids isolated on campus and unmasked, I suppose. The problem is that the hospitalization and fatality rate for those 60 and over is too high given the fact that the nation is filled with people with diabetes, high… Read more »

Kstart
Kstart
3 years ago

Hi, I am about to leave my church because of a number of things around covid. I feel utterly disappointed that people are bending over for a pineapple. If we believe in the power of God why are we running around like scared weird little guys.

Roger
Roger
2 years ago

Wearing a mask isn’t just a political action. It is a do the right thing issue. Church is where we go to learn and study right and wrong. I am not going to cause my brother to stumble. I do not have to. Being a Christian is absolutely not about individual rights. It’s about serving our brothers and sisters in christ and to the undeserving needy. Whe have all been taught the message that is essential for salvation. We have all been given a gift we have not earned. To follow Christ you must bear our own cross to follow… Read more »

Karen
Karen
2 years ago
Reply to  Roger

But what if masks don’t work? Do you know there are many studies that prove this? What if they are just a way to keep people docile? Are you aware that masks have done serious emotional harm to children. Don’t you owe it to those you care for to open your mind and get the true story so you can truly help them? Read sites like NVIC on MeWe, America’s Frontline Doctors, RFK Jr’s Children’s Defense League. Read The Real Anthony Fauci by RFK, Jr. If you truly want to know best how to be a servant to your community,… Read more »

Rob Osborn
Rob Osborn
2 years ago

If masking is not mandated by Caesar, and you’re still requiring masking, you are living in fear and are an apostate church. End of story. Full Stop. Period.