York Mask Mandate
This past Monday, a mask mandate issued by the York Board of Health went into effect. On Tuesday, the pastors met together to discuss this and how to move forward as a congregation over the next month and a half. I have linked the mask mandate issued by the York Board of Health HERE and we are encouraging every person to carefully read it for themselves in its entirety.
When we met together, the majority of our discussion centered around how we faithfully shepherd this body knowing that there are people in our congregation who feel strongly about this issue on both sides. One thing that became clear in our meeting is that we as pastors have different feelings and convictions about this issue which is probably representative of the body as a whole. As with many difficult issues, this requires careful consideration of many overlapping principles that span the whole Bible to settle in one’s conscience how to proceed, and even then, two believers might arrive at different convictions. The challenge moving forward for us is the same challenge we have faced and overcome in previous months, namely, how can we love one another and consider one another while holding differing views on a non-essential issue?
Over the past 9 months, we have seen the people of Arbor Drive consider one another and figure out how to hold different views and convictions while not binding the conscience of a brother or sister. More than that, we have seen the people of Arbor Drive actively consider those who hold differing views in their interactions and act in a manner that displays love. Our desire is to see this continue rather than seeing all of our labor together in this area undone by polarizing over this mandate. At the same time, we want to uphold a principle that the state constitution eloquently lays out which is “All persons have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences.” To that end, here is what you can expect of us and what we are asking of you.
What you can expect of us as your pastors:
We will comply with the mandate’s requirement to post a sign on the doors at entrances to our building.
We will respect your privacy, convictions, and ability to worship according to the dictates of your own conscience.
We will continue to encourage toward love and consideration of brothers and sisters and seek to model that.
We will continue to serve and welcome anyone who comes to Arbor Drive with the aim that they would know and enjoy God.
What we are asking of you:
Read the mandate carefully and consider for yourself what it says.
Carefully and prayerfully consider the Biblical issues of submission to governing authorities, freedom of worship, loving neighbors, care for brothers and sisters, civil disobedience, disagreement on non-essential issues, and other Biblical principles that have bearing on this issue. In light of careful, thoughtful, and prayerful consideration of God’s Word and the wording of the mandate, settle in your own conscience how you can proceed in a way that honors God and his word, loves your neighbor, and in which you can give an account before God for your actions.
Respect and honor one another and the decisions that each person makes on this issue. While you may have a deep conviction that your action is right, acknowledge that someone else might hold a differing conviction or arrive at a different conclusion and respect that. Honor, love, and respect one another. Don’t bind the conscience of another.
If you have an issue or disagree with what the York Board of Health has mandated, appeal to your city officials. Exercise your right to petition for a redress of grievances.