I grew up in the country of Pakistan, where my parents served as missionaries. They chose to follow the cultural ways of their adopted country to reach the people for Christ. Dad wore the shalwar kameez, the loose pants, and baggy shirt, that were the common clothing of the Pakistani men. Mom wore the female version of the shalwar kameez but added the dupatta, the scarf head covering, wherever she went. While she would have preferred to do her own shopping, she hired a man to do it for her because women were not accepted in the marketplace.

Why? Were they forced to make these changes? No. As foreigners, they had every legal right to wear western clothing. They could have stood up for their rights as Americans, even in a foreign country. Why then did they change their lifestyles? They followed a missional mindset.

The horrific image is seared into our national conscience – a black man dying under the knee of a white police officer. Legitimate protests in cities around our country have, sadly at times, devolved into chaos and mayhem, threatening to obscure the original crime. As pastors, we should use our prophetic voices to speak out against racism just as we often speak out against other moral issues facing our nation. I have watched, read, and listened, seeking to hear with my heart and not just my head. I am but one little voice in a sea of sound reminding us all of important biblical truths during this time of upheaval. My heart goes out to African Americans who too often suffer the wrongs done to them under the authority of government.

“Let love be without hypocrisy; abhorring what is evil, clinging to what is good” (Romans 12:9).

“It’s not a concern. The virus we believe is politically motivated,” Pastor Tony Spell proclaimed. We hold our religious rights dear, and we are going to assemble no matter what someone says.” The Life Tabernacle Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has continued to meet in defiance of orders from the governor prohibiting large gatherings. Over 1,000 people gathered for worship, trusting God to protect them from danger and heal their diseases. To Pastor Spell, it is a matter of faith.

Mark Palenske is no Tony Spell. He is the pastor at First Assembly of God church in Greers Ferry, Arkansas. The church assumed they were safe given their rural location and no government orders prohibiting them from meeting even though the authorities urged people to practice social distancing. They held a children’s ministry event at their church. Since then, 34 people who attended the event have contracted Covid-19, including the pastor and his wife. Bill Barton, a 91-year-old greeter at the church, died from the virus. Pastor Palenske writes, “Please adhere to the social instructions that you are receiving locally and nationally.”

One pastor made headlines. One pastor has regrets.