{"id":27258,"date":"2020-07-09T18:25:15","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T22:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/?p=27258"},"modified":"2020-07-09T18:25:15","modified_gmt":"2020-07-09T22:25:15","slug":"8-steps-to-successfully-communicating-wearing-masks-in-church-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/2020\/07\/09\/8-steps-to-successfully-communicating-wearing-masks-in-church-services\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Steps To Successfully Communicating Wearing Masks In Church Services"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unity in the local church is under attack.<\/strong> \u00a0We are way past hymns vs. praise music. \u00a0Pastors are currently dealing with issues like reopening vs virtual and the timing of those decisions, racial items and the timing, content and intensity of those messages, safety vs services, public protests but no public worship services, and if those were not enough, wearing masks vs not wearing masks as you reopen.<\/p>\n

This past Sunday I attended Fellowship Bible Church’s re-opening service in Roswell, GA.<\/strong> \u00a0It was an absolutely wonderful experience. \u00a0I previously wrote about Senior Pastor Crawford Lorrits’s amazing message in the post 39 Quotes On How You Become A More Forgiving And Charismatic Leader<\/a>. \u00a0You should check it out.<\/p>\n

In addition to Crawford’s message, one of the reasons it was such a great service was the spirit of those in attendance, particularly on the issue on wearing masks<\/strong>. \u00a0EVERYONE wore masks but it was a non-issue. \u00a0This is because how it was handled in the weeks leading up to their reopening. \u00a0As always, you will prepare or repair as a leader.<\/p>\n

If you are a pastor dealing with this issue, the following are 8 Steps To Successfully Communicating Wearing Masks In Church Services<\/strong> I gleaned from this past weekend.<\/p>\n

The Pastor Must Be The Moral Authority And Visionary For Wearing Masks<\/h2>\n

So goes the leader, so goes the people. \u00a0Starting several weeks prior to the reopening service, Crawford provided weekly videos discussing several things on his heart. \u00a0These ranged from standard church news to racial reconciliation items to the wearing of masks when they began meeting again. \u00a0I will discuss his content more below but Crawford clearly communicated he would be wearing a mask and why. \u00a0For unity within the church body, the pastor must lead in clearly communicating the church’s stance on this topic. \u00a0It cannot be delegated to another staff member or buried within a weekly email. \u00a0Leadership determines direction. \u00a0Organization determines potential. \u00a0People, with God’s help, determine success. \u00a0But I cannot stress this enough, it all starts with the senior pastor.<\/p>\n

Wearing A Mask Is An Act Of Love<\/h2>\n

Crawford acknowledged there would be a variety of opinions by those in Fellowship on wearing masks. \u00a0However, to provide a safe and secure environment for ALL who wish to attend live services, everyone would be wearing masks, starting with him. \u00a0In short, Crawford said The Law of Love is demonstrated by putting aside your personal preferences and opinions for the sake of others. \u00a0Wearing a mask during the service would be a sign you loved your neighbors who were sitting near you.<\/p>\n

Go With Rules Not Guidelines<\/h2>\n

Language is a big deal. \u00a0Phrases like “we prefer” or “we are making masks available if you choose to wear one” or “we’re asking” or “the CDC is recommending” give people the openings to decline. \u00a0Guidelines are suggestions. \u00a0Rules provide clarity. \u00a0People need and appreciate clarity. \u00a0In this instance, if you did points 1 and 2 properly, clarity on this topic becomes a non-issue.<\/p>\n

Value People Over Process<\/h2>\n

Rules without relationship lead to rebellion. \u00a0If you love your people they will gladly follow the process. \u00a0The goal is not to get people into your building. \u00a0The goal is not to get people wearing a mask or social distancing. \u00a0The goal is to be a host. \u00a0When you host someone in your home, you want them to feel welcomed. \u00a0After all, you have not seen these people in months. \u00a0First, you should be genuinely excited to see them. \u00a0Then you can implement your processes.<\/p>\n

Pastor Leads From Out Front<\/h2>\n

Crawford was in the lobby, wearing a mask, and welcoming the people. \u00a0If the people see the pastor leading in an appropriate fashion, they will gladly follow suit. \u00a0Pastors cannot be in the green room as churches reopen.<\/p>\n

Approach Is Everything. \u00a0Sing With A Mask. \u00a0Listen To Preaching Without A Mask.<\/h2>\n

For people struggling with wearing a mask, give them permission to take it off during the preaching. \u00a0This provides a welcome relief. \u00a0This approach demonstrates all opinions and viewpoints are appreciated.<\/p>\n

Say “Thank You” Early And Often<\/h2>\n

Kindness is such an attractive quality. \u00a0As the beginning of his message, Crawford graciously thanked everyone for social distancing and adhering to the church’s stance on wearing masks. \u00a0He was also genuinely so excited to see everyone. \u00a0He humorously said, “Don’t leave me!” \u00a0When leaders express appreciation, most people will follow them anywhere.<\/p>\n

Exit By Rows Not Sections<\/h2>\n

At the close of the service, the congregation was thanked again (remember, early and often) for loving their neighbors by wearing masks. \u00a0They were then instructed to exit the services by putting their masks back on and dismissing from the last row to the front. \u00a0When you exit by sections, social distancing does not take place and the spirit of safety is removed.<\/p>\n

How are you handling the wearing of a mask issue?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is available for purchase. \u00a0If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you! \u00a0By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless<\/em><\/a>\u00a0will equip and inspire you. \u00a0This book is not to be read alone. \u00a0Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence. \u00a0Click HERE<\/em><\/a> or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Unity in the local church is under attack. \u00a0We are way past hymns vs. praise music. \u00a0Pastors are currently dealing with issues like reopening vs virtual and the timing of those decisions, racial items and the timing, content and intensity of those messages, safety vs services, public protests but no public worship services, and if […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":26447,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[904,910],"class_list":["post-27258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-church-leadership","tag-coronavirus","tag-covid-19"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/virus_1584306411.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27258"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27258"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27260,"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27258\/revisions\/27260"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/briandoddonleadership.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}