16 July 2020
OUR MOTTO MOVING FORWARD: No One Gets Left Behind
Dear Members of Mount Lebanon Lutheran Church,
No one gets left behind. It is a concept that is used in some way by every branch of the United States military. It’s expected in our Lord’s army too. Just consider these words from our Commanding Officer:
“In humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
“Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:10).
What is Jesus telling us? He wants us to consider the needs of others ahead of our own needs, so that no one is left behind.
We believe that this attitude is going to be absolutely vital during this phase of the pandemic. There is no question about it, there are vast differences in how our fellow members at Mt. Lebanon believe our church should reopen. We are aware of those differences in opinion as your pastors and we are certainly open to hearing any concerns you may have. Satan is also aware of our different opinions. He is licking his demonic chops, excited about the potential to pit member against member and to create dissension. If we are going to avoid that, we need to work together in love and remember: No one gets left behind.
It is clear that there are many different opinions and ideas about what is proper and what is improper, what is loving and what is unloving. In the congregational pulse we recently sent out, some people said they hadn’t returned to church because there were “not enough” pre-cautions. Others hadn’t returned to church because there were “too many” pre-cautions. Yet it remains our pastoral commitment to you: No one gets left behind.
On Monday, July 13, the Milwaukee Common Council passed an ordinance requiring that individuals wear “face coverings whenever inside a building open to the public” (This ordinance has been signed by our mayor and went into effect at midnight on Thursday). Face coverings are also required when you are outdoors and within 6 feet of another individual. Exceptions are made in the ordinance for children 3 and under, as well as for individuals for whom wearing a mask causes a medical risk. Mount Lebanon will abide by the mask ordinance and will require all individuals to wear a face covering while at Mount Lebanon.
We do this for two reasons. First, as citizens of God’s kingdom, we want to showcase love our for our neighbors. While wearing a mask may be uncomfortable and inconvenient, it communicates love for those whom we are gathering with and protects them in the case that we may be carrying a virus that could cause them harm. Second, as citizens of this nation, it is our duty to follow the laws and mandates that our government sets forth insofar as they do not contradict the Word of God.
We will continue to pay attention to these ordinances and consider ways to serve God’s people no matter what. It may be that we can set up an outdoor service or find some other option to serve you. It is our sincere desire that no one, not one of you will be left behind. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to save your soul with the gospel of Jesus. Know that! We love you and are committed to relentlessly caring about you. No one gets left behind.
Starting this weekend, we will be asking each of you to wear masks to church and for the duration of our worship service. We ask you to consider this new precaution with a humble and loving spirit. You may see a member or two without a mask. Please remember that there are medical exceptions to this ordinance and kindly refrain from attempting to enforce it upon any of our fellow members or guests. If you have any concerns, please feel welcome to bring them to either of us pastors.
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had” (Romans 15:5).
We are simply asking of you what God asks of all of us, that whether things go our way, or they don’t, whether our preferences are met, or they aren’t, that we will all be “good soldiers” for the Lord. This side of heaven, we sometimes call it the “Church Militant.” We are at war with dark spiritual forces. Let us look after the well-being of our brothers and sisters in arms. Let us love them as perfectly and selflessly as Christ loved us. No one gets left behind.
We are in the grip of Christ and following his lead,
Nate Bourman, lead pastor
Paul Krueger, school pastor
Council of Ministries
Board of Nurture
Parts of this letter were adapted from an article written to us by Pastor Jon Hein, the Director of WELS Congregational Counseling.