Bethlehem Family,

Today, Governor Tony Evers made Wisconsin the 34^th state to issue a statewide mask mandate in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 (You can read the mandate here). The mandate requires that “every individual, age five and older, in Wisconsin”[1] wear a face covering if indoors or in an enclosed outdoor space with people who are not members of your immediate family.

To comply with this order, as long as this mandate is in effect (right now it runs to the end of September), we will require that all visitors to either one of our campuses wear a mask while indoors (unless you meet one of the exceptions listed below).

I know how divisive of an issue face coverings have become, and it could easily become so for Bethlehem. Those who have wanted a mask mandate all along could easily lord it over those who did not. Those who are strongly opposed to masks could resent those who are for them. But God has called us all to be like Jesus. In Ephesians 4:29-31, the Apostle Paul encourages us,

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

There has been nothing easy about the last four months. We are all tired. There is only one who can heal, help, and give us strength for the days ahead. You know who I’m talking about. He’s the one who said, “In this world you will have trouble; but take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Christians, let’s find strength in Christ, and let’s take every opportunity this pandemic presents to love one another.

In Christ,

Pastor Paustian

Some Things to Note

Exceptions to the Face Coverings Mandate (Emergency Order #1, Part 3)

The governor’s order makes exceptions for these situations applicable for our church life:

1. The pastor conducting our worship services may remove his face covering while actively speaking to the congregation, as long as 6 feet of distance are maintained from other individuals.
2. The same exception would seem to allow musicians to remove their face coverings as needed while they are playing.

…and these individuals:

1. Children ages 2-5 are encouraged (but not required) to wear a mask when social distancing is not possible (Children under 2 should not wear a face covering).
2. Individuals who have trouble breathing.
3. Individuals with medical conditions, intellectual or developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, or other sensory sensitivities that prevent the individual from wearing a face covering.

Is this an instance where “we must obey God, rather than men” (Acts 5:29)?

The apostles who spoke those words were on trial for preaching the good news about Jesus. The governor’s orders are not being made to keep us from practicing our religion, nor is this is order solely given to Christians.

Should there come a day when the government makes some kind of religious ban on practicing Christianity, by all means, we’ll have to obey God. In this instance, we can still worship and we can serve God by being “subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1)

Is wearing a mask ‘idolatry’?

Generally speaking, no. When we pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” on the one hand, we recognize that somebody is going to have to work for that bread. On the other hand, as Christians we recognize God as the ultimate source of that blessing (Deuteronomy 8:17).

When we take a medication, get a surgery, or wear a face mask, we recognize that, should God want to, he could still let us get sick or even die. But he’s given us a means to potentially preserve our lives (or somebody else’s) and we can use it, all along recognizing him as the source of that protection.

What constitutes a ‘Face Covering’?

A face covering “means a piece of cloth or other material that is worn to cover the nose and mouth completely… a ‘face covering’ does not include face shields, mesh masks, masks with holes or openings, or masks with vents.”

Didn’t the State Supreme Court overturn the governor’s authority to issue this kind of ban?

I’ve read through a good portion of the supreme court’s ruling to figure this out. The Supreme Court’s decision specifically spells out that the issue in that case was not the governor’s authority. It was the head of the public health department who they ruled had overstepped her authority. At the time this is being written, it remains to be seen if the Wisconsin legislature will file a lawsuit against the governor’s order. Should that happen, and should this decision be overturned as well, it will be up to our congregational leaders to decide how to proceed.

  [1] With some exceptions listed below.