Leading and shepherding the local church during the COVID-19 crisis is more than challenging \u2014 it is exhausting! My pastor colleagues are tired, burdened by many concerns, and often criticized for actions they are taking or avoiding. The cultural concerns and chaos we\u2019re enduring as a nation only add to the weight of pastoring.<\/p>\n
And that doesn\u2019t even mention the challenges faced by pastors\u2019 families, job loss, health concerns, and financial hardships!<\/p>\n
Every day it seems like we wake up to something new to be shocked by, outraged over, or concerned with. In many ways, it feels like we\u2019re trapped in an endless boxing match with a champion whose every punch is a devastating blow.<\/p>\n
At times, I can fall into the mindset that everything is broken, and nothing is good. While I know that\u2019s not true it certainly feels like it and, if I dare to find something positive to speak about, I worry I\u2019ll be labeled as out of touch or possibly called things I can\u2019t put in writing here.<\/p>\n
How can pastors respond?<\/p>\n
Adjust Expectations<\/strong><\/p>\n Most of our disappointment in life comes from things not working out as we believed or hoped or wanted. It\u2019s natural to grieve and feel loss when what we deeply desire isn\u2019t realized. I\u2019m reminded that Christ came to give us abundant life, yet that abundance isn\u2019t defined as a hassle-free life. Abundance also is not to be misunderstood to mean material surplus. The abundance comes from knowing and being sustained by Jesus in the middle of struggles, not the absence of them. Jesus promised we would suffer: \u201cI have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.\u201d (John 16:33)<\/em><\/p>\n Focus on the Gospel<\/strong><\/p>\n There is a simple truth that whatever captures my mind and heart \u2014 what I give energy, passion, and thought to \u2014 are, at least in some ways, what I declare as worthwhile. What I give worth is what I may eventually worship. I can ascribe more value to problems and worries than to the gospel \u2014 the greatest news ever proclaimed. The greatest problem I\u2019ve ever had is my sin problem. The greatest news is that God sent Jesus to bear my sin and redeem and restore me to my heavenly Father. When I view all the problems around me in light of the gospel and God\u2019s love, I am reminded of the gospel\u2019s primacy. \u201cNow I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you\u2014unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received.\u201d (1 Cor. 15:1-3)<\/em><\/p>\n Remember, God is With You<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the greatest hardships the COVID-19 pandemic has thrust upon us is the necessity to be separated for our own safety. This has created an intense loneliness, especially among pastors. We can\u2019t be with the flock we\u2019re called to shepherd (at least, not in the ways to which we are accustomed). The decisions we find ourselves facing are heavy, and we may not regularly be around others who helped us process choices in the past. We may be bombarded by our thoughts and could even be afraid to give voice to them. Please remember brother pastor, we are not alone. God is with us. \u201cHe has said, \u201cI will never leave you nor forsake you.\u201d (Heb. 13:5)<\/p>\n Pursue Unity <\/strong><\/p>\n One of the insidious schemes of our enemy, Satan, is to sow division and conflict in the community of Christians. He seeks to do this at every turn. Whether it be in our convention, our association, our church, or even our own home, we\u2019re not immune to elevating our convictions, beliefs, and preferences on non-essential matters to the place where they drive wedges and divide Christ followers. It is imperative that we be unified in Christ, in fulfilling the Great Commission, and in our love for one another. It is imperative that we give grace and receive it, when we disagree on matters related to this pandemic. \u201cMake every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.\u201d (Eph. 4:3)<\/p>\n