Pastor Says No Face Masks During COVID-19

When a pastor says no face masks during a public health crisis, the church must respond with wisdom, humility, and love. Pastors shepherd God’s people. They must protect the sheep, not lead them into danger during a coronavirus pandemic.

Some pastors, however, may urge people to follow strong personal convictions more than the gentle wisdom of Christ. When that happens, the church can forget that God’s people belong first to Him.

That concern becomes especially serious when a pastor says no face masks and tells a congregation not to wear them during a church service in the coronavirus pandemic. Greg Locke, age 45, made that kind of statement.

Locke has repeatedly claimed that COVID-19 is a hoax. He has resisted emergency mandates and refused guidance from public health officials. He also recently warned his congregation against wearing face masks at his church.

During a five-minute message to the Global Vision Bible Church congregation in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, Locke spoke strongly against face masks. In his sermon, he said, “…you start showing up; all these masks and all this nonsense, I will ask you to leave.”

He added, “I am not playing these Democrat games up in this church.” Locke also denied the existence of the Delta variant. His sermon came at a time when COVID-19 infections in his home state were increasing.

Shepherding with Care

A Pastor’s Duty When He Says No Face Masks

Greg Locke’s remarks point to a larger concern in modern church leadership. Strong convictions can harm the flock when humility, wisdom, and love do not guide them.

A pastor should make the safety of the sheep his primary concern.

When we come together as a church, we should “consider one another to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Love, patience, and concern for others should shape decisions about face masks. Politics and division should not take priority in the presence of God.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Jesus is the Shepherd of shepherds. He is the model shepherd and the Good Shepherd. His words help us examine every pastor’s calling with reverence and humility:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know My sheep and am known by My own.”
— John 10:11-14 NKJV

Jesus makes it clear that a shepherd must care for the welfare of the sheep. His words lead us to the deeper issue of love.

Christ commanded us to love one another (John 13:34-35). We cannot truly love each other without genuine concern for one another’s well-being.

If we love our neighbors, we should care about their health and safety. Wearing a face mask is a small sacrifice. It can help protect a neighbor, friend, or family member and show genuine concern for the community.

Pastors, Faith, and Face Masks

That call to love also shapes how we live out faith. The Bible tells us to do everything with love (1 Corinthians 16:14). A pastor may believe he is standing in faith against the coronavirus, but faith should never separate itself from humility, wisdom, and care for others.

In Psalm 91:11-12, the Bible says God will give His angels charge over you, keep you in all your ways, and bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone. Yet when the devil tempted Jesus to jump from the temple, Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’” (Matthew 4:5-7).

I appreciate the desire of Pastor Locke and others to stand in faith. Still, Scripture reminds us that faith must be joined with love. Even faith that can move mountains gains nothing when love is absent.

Love is the foundation of our faith. It should guide our actions, especially during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:2

Human Rights vs. Human Life

When people separate love and faith from responsibility, the church can lose its witness. During the coronavirus pandemic, many people faced real health concerns, especially those who were vulnerable or unvaccinated. That is why Christians must carefully weigh a pastor’s claim that no face masks are required in light of love, wisdom, and responsibility.

For that reason, pastors should not place personal rights above the lives and well-being of others. To Pastor Greg Locke and to any pastor wrestling with these questions, I offer this appeal: God has entrusted His flock to your care. Remember who called you to shepherd and lead His people with humility, courage, and compassion.

Church Face Mask Controversy and Christian Responsibility

If pastors are called to protect the flock, they should also prayerfully consider the authorities and responsibilities that help preserve life. The Bible says, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

“Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”
— Romans 13:1-2

Instead of resisting every form of guidance, pastors can model humility, discernment, and care. The church should lead by example in faith, love, and responsibility.

Teach the whole Bible. Care for your people. Seek wisdom, follow sound guidance, wear a face mask when needed, and prayerfully consider the COVID-19 vaccine.