Neither Vaccinated Nor Unvaccinated: How Churches Imposing Vaccine Mandates Are Dividing Christians With A ‘Different Gospel’

In July, New York City’s Redeemer Presbyterian — Tim Keller’s theologically conservative church, firmly embedded in the mainstream of American evangelicalism — quietly posted a statement to its web-site regarding service attendance: “Individuals who are fully vaccinated…are welcome to sit on the main floor of the sanctuary without social distancing and masks will be optional… Individuals who are not fully vaccinated…are welcome to sit in the balcony …”

The language of the announcement was understated but the import was not—Redeemer Presbyterian had effectually segregated its church body based on vaccine status.

Redeemer, at least, is trusting the honor system to enforce its (literally) divisive policy. Anyone over 12 years of age who wants to attend Episcopal worship at St. Peter’s in Rockland, Maine; St. Luke in the Fields in New York; or Grace Cathedral in San Francisco will have to show vaccine passports.

Given how often progressive ministers baptize leftist rhetoric with out-of-context Christianese, it would be easy to assume mandates are only cropping up in churches that proudly fly rainbow flags and hang Black Lives Matter banners in their sanctuaries. But that is hardly the case.

So will anyone looking for fellowship at Atlanta’s Piney Grove Baptist. Those not prepared to provide proof of vaccination will be asked to provide a doctor’s note explaining why they can’t get the shot. They’ll also need to reserve a place in the sanctuary online and sign a waiver to enter. Oh, and that bit about “suffer the little children to come unto me”? That’s out too. Because the FDA has yet to approve Covid inoculations for youngsters, anyone 11 and under isn’t allowed in the building.

It’s hard to reconcile such onerous requirements with a Jesus who loves the little children, ministered to lepers, and tells the world, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” But such is religious practice in the pandemic era, when the idol of safety far outweighs any command to welcome the stranger, make disciples, or avoid partiality by seating some visitors in favored places.

Grace Cathedral’s pastor told Deseret News that even though no government regulation compelled his church to require vaccines, he ultimately wanted to emphasize “health over accepted traditions.” By that he evidently meant traditions like those found in Romans 15:7: Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.

Given how often progressive ministers baptize leftist rhetoric with out-of-context Christianese, it would be easy to assume mandates are only

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