Why We Should Wear Masks in Church

I hate wearing masks. There I said it. It is such a relief when I get back to the car after being in the grocery store and rip that mask off.

But I still wear a mask.

We will be attempting to return to in-person worship services in the church building. We will also be requiring people to wear masks while in the church building.

Why should we do this?

One reason is that St Catharines has a mandatory mask bylaw for when people are in indoor public spaces.

While that is important, that shouldn’t be our primary motivation. Our top motivation should be love for others.

There is evidence that wearing masks helps slow down the spread of COVID-19.

Remember, it doesn’t help you from getting the virus, it helps to prevent you from sharing the virus. And the tricky thing about this virus is that we don’t know who has it.

Not only does it help prevent transmission, there is also a psychological benefit. I know I feel anxious when I’m surrounded by a bunch of people without masks.

What does this have to do about love?

Love is about putting the needs of others before yourself. So even if we feel uncomfortable wearing a mask, it is the right thing to do if it helps others.

When we return to the church building, I will be wearing a mask. Actually, I will be wearing a face shield so that you can understand what I’m saying. I will be wearing the shield, not to protect me but to protect you.

We shouldn’t need the government to mandate this. As Christians we should be the first ones to put the needs of others before ourselves.