Hireling Pastor Says No Facemasks

Pastors are shepherds of God’s people. Shepherds are supposed to protect God’s sheep, not lead them to the enemy by saying, “No facemasks” during a Coronavirus pandemic. However, hireling pastors have infiltrated God’s labor force. They have persuaded the sheep to follow them rather than follow Christ, who is the wisdom of God. They are carnal shepherds, and they lack consideration for the sheep. Rather than lead the sheep to safety with love, the hireling pastor selfishly exposes them to danger. He does not care about the sheep, for he has forgotten that the sheep do not belong to him.

It is unthinkable that any pastor would instruct their congregation not to wear face masks to a church service during the coronavirus pandemic. But 45-year-old hireling pastor Greg Locke did just that. Pastor Locke has repeatedly claimed that COVID-19 is a hoax. He has also subverted emergency mandates and has refused to comply with guidance from public health officials. In addition, Locke recently warned his congregation about wearing a facemask at his church.

The hireling pastor delivered his 5-minute tirade to the Global Vision Bible Church congregation in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. In his sermon, he said, “…you start showing up; all these masks and all this nonsense, I will ask you to leave,” said Locke. He added, “I am not playing these Democrat games up in this church.” In his sermon, Locke also denied the existence of the delta variant. Ironically, Pastor Locke’s sermon came at a time when COVID-19 infections in his home state were soaring.

Carnal Shepherds

The hireling pastor’s primary concern for his congregation is their human rights. However, a pastor’s primary concern should be the safety of the sheep he is entrusted with.

When we come together as a church, we should “consider one another to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). Telling people not to wear facemasks does nothing good. Therefore, politics and mandates should have no place in the presence of God.

Jesus is the Shepherd of shepherds. He is the model shepherd. Listen to what He says about hireling pastors and their congregations:

“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

In His sermon, Jesus says, “The hireling pastor does not ‘care’ about the welfare of his congregation.” Care is a synonym for love. Christ gave us only one commandment: love one another (John 13:34-35). We will never truly love each other until we genuinely care for one another.

It is incomprehensible that you could love me and not care that I may become ill or even die because you refuse to wear a facemask. We are all part of the same community. Thus, we should care for each other’s well-being. It is a small sacrifice to save a neighbor, friend, or family member. It demonstrates our shared love and concern for one another.

Pastors and Faith

The Bible tells us to do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). While this hireling pastor may be standing on his faith to fight the coronavirus, he does not realize that he is tempting God in his rebellion. In Psalm 91:11-12, the Bible says God will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your days; to bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. However, when the devil tried to make Jesus jump off the temple, Jesus said, “It is written, You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (Matthew 4:5-7).

I commend Pastor Locke and others for their faith. But what good is faith that can move mountains without love? The Bible says that such an individual amounts to nothing. Love is the foundation of our faith. It should guide our actions, particularly in times of 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

We are in a coronavirus pandemic. It is a scientific fact that unvaccinated people will contract COVID-19. Yet there are pastors like Greg Locke who continue to place more value on human rights than human life. To Pastor Greg Locke and hireling pastors who refuse to follow COVID-19 guidelines, I say, “Your congregation is God’s sheep whom He entrusted to your care. Don’t forget who made you a shepherd and why? You are responsible for the lives of the people you lead.

Respect the word of God, saying, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except 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).

Stop rebelling against science, government, and mandates. Don’t be a hireling pastor. Instead, be an obedient servant of the Lord and bless your people by teaching them the Bible, not just the parts you like. Most importantly, as a pastor, you must lead by example. So, if you care for me and the rest of the world, don’t be too proud to take advice from our guardian angels in medicine. Follow COVID-19 guidelines, wear a facemask, and if you truly love me, would you at least consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine?