Dec. 30, 2020 5:30 am ET
RONAN, Mont.—When the Rev. Seth Nelson reopened Faith Lutheran Church in this rural highway town this spring, he put strict social distancing rules in place: every other pew roped off; no coffee and cookies after service; and, most controversially, masks required.
The months since then have been the hardest of his six-year career in ministry.
“Every week, for months, somebody would be telling me I was wrong for taking this seriously,” said Mr. Nelson, 35 years old. “It’s caused a lot of tension and friction for me, personally and professionally.”
Ten months into the coronavirus pandemic, rural pastors are struggling to balance their flocks’ spiritual needs with their physical safety.