Because Lauren has been sick, Lauren and Rick start by sharing that they are recording from different locations this week. With lots of sickness in the world and in our communities, and with a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in Knoxville (and around the United States), Lauren and Rick use this week's episode to talk about masks.

Rick begins the conversation by explaining that they are not trying to sway people one way or the other when it comes to wearing a mask or not wearing a mask, they just want to take the time to reframe and be honest about the conversation. He mentions something he's heard a lot lately, that people are too tired and stressed to really hear and engage each other well, so we need to start conversations with empathy, Rick says. Lauren adds that these days, because tensions are already so high, it's easy to escalate conversations.

Both Lauren and Rick are quick to point out that we can't just jump to conclusions about people's motivations, especially when it comes to something like wearing or not wearing a mask, because we don't know what that person has been through or what is going on in their heart and mind. Rick uses the example of his friends in Chicago who have had different experiences with COVID-19 than Rick, so their response to things like staying at home and wearing a mask are going to automatically be different than Rick's.

Rick also points out that as Believers, we are commanded to respect and obey the government. So if the government is mandating that you wear a mask, then as a Believer, you need to wear a mask.

The conversation then turns to avoiding judging others who may or may not be wearing a mask. Rick lets listeners know that even at Fellowship Church, the leadership enforces social distancing and highly suggests wearing masks, especially during worship and singing, but they do not police it. Rick expresses that he knows not everyone is going to agree with these policies, but he's had to come to terms with that and realize that he won't be able to make everyone completely happy; he repeats that he can't take this personally, and that we have to be able to be tolerant of one another's opinion and respect each other's decisions. Rick references that we are told in the Bible to love each other well.

Rick closes the episode by quoting from Colossians 3.

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