Hello,

I received a call yesterday from the Pastor of the church I attend, and he's told me some disturbing news that I'm wondering if I could get some feedback on..

He told me the congregation of our church (roughly 20-40 people, mostly elderly, I'm 21 and the youngest) put to a vote in regards of myself while I wasn't there. The vote was to literally vote me out of the church, remove my membership and not welcome me any longer (at least this is what I understand right now). Now.. I suppose I can understand that, but the reason for this is a bit awkward in my opinion - I wear a surgical mask while I'm around large groups for medical reasons (not so much when I'm with friends or smaller groups, such as discipleship), and it's completely black with 2 ties on the back, so it's similar to a "bandit" looking mask - anyways, the church feels.. which has just been brought to my attention, that it's very disrespectful that I wear such a thing and they won't allow it in the church.

I find it a bit awkward because I've been attending this church for a long time without any complaints about what I was wearing. Nobody knows of my medical issues at the church besides the Pastor, so he has a understanding of why I need it - besides, he never brought it up in the first place why I was wearing it. The Pastor completely disagree's with what they're wanting to do, and he's finding a way to approach it this coming Bible study, we're going to talk it over. He told me they're focusing far too much on the externals rather than internals, and it's completely not right.

However, I do feel if they're so worried about my physical appearance and what I'm wearing, I don't think I should be attending that church. It's a shame though, I'd never think they'd do something like that without coming to me first, it's the best group of people I've ever been with in a church setting, like family I don't have.

* To add, I also feel that the church doesn't necessarily need to know about my medical status, I keep it private in real life majority of the time.


Hopefully you'll be able to give any opinions on this matter, I don't want to go into great detail and it isn't much of a issue, but it's giving me second thoughts about worshiping with others completely.

To be a Christian is not to judge others. What they're doing is wrong. Something Jesus did was first loved those who hated him. Maybe this is a God's way of opening the church congregation's eyes. He's using you as his tool. I'd say stick to the church for a bit longer. Use this as a way to help others with what God has put on your shoulders.

I'm going to suggest that you arrange a meeting between yourself and the congregation and let each side tell their story in the hopes it will be a learning experience for both sides .

Good Luck !

The congregation could be thinking that you might have some kind of contagious disease and for the safety of other church members, they decided to vote you out.

If the congregation wants you out just because of your appearance, then you really need to confront them with your pastor.

You need to inform them of your medical status. At least the pastoral,eldership. That way they understand the reasoning behind it. Be very humble about it. I don't agree with it. But if someone came in a church with Satan shirts or ones with 666 on them, they would probably be asked to leave if it was a constant thing over time, they may look (even if it is judging) at your mask like this. Just explain to the leadership of the church your situation.

Show me a perfect church and I wont go there.
I'm not perfect to be there and neither are you and neither is anyone else.
Everyone in that church is not perfect....I can gaurantee it.
Tell them about your problem and if they countinue to act like that just switch churches.

Thanks for the responses.



I've informed the Pastor of our church about my situation already a long time ago, also the deacons we have do know as well. We don't have any elders currently, they're a very small church and not wanting to rush into that. The way I'm personally feeling is, they don't necessarily need to know everything in that's going on in my personal life - I do understand publicly wearing a mask raises suspicions and awareness, but it's not entirely uncommon where I live.

I'll probably have the Pastor talk to them, I didn't attend Bible study yesterday so I doubt he brought anything up about it.



thanks for the feedback ;-)

An eldership should have been established before a deaconship. It's not "rushing" into anything if it is a biblical principle.

Also, I think you should bring this concern to the minister/leaders of your church before you stand up an make an announcement to the church. You going behind the leaders back is a bit divisive. Perhaps the leaders need to see another perspective that you have to offer, that they did not see before. But before you address the congregation, you need to run it by the leadership.