Pray. It is the most powerful “tool” you have for worship, encouragement, and affecting change. Pray for the elderly as they may struggle more than young people with the virus and with other needs. Their 401k plans are taking a beating. Pray for other pastors. They are in the same situation that you are and needing help. Pray for the unsaved in your community, that they might become convinced that they are imperfect and inadequate, and Christ is their hope. Pray for your wife and children that they may learn more about how Christians trust Christ for life and strength. Pray for yourself that you will have wisdom, courage to make good decisions, learn, and grow as a leader and follower. Lead your church to pray as they’ve never prayed before. The worst of times can become the best of times when we trust Christ more thoroughly.
Improve your church’s technological abilities to reach beyond the worship center walls. Call on tech-savvy folks in your church and ask for help. Optimize your website, Facebook presence, and learn how to live stream. Everyone can do this in at least a rudimentary way. Your people will benefit from your reassurance and spiritual leadership.
Take time to study Scripture more deeply and prepare sermons than you usually have time to do. Consider the needs of your people at this moment. I believe in consecutive exposition. However, there is a lot that can be said for considering the Bible’s teaching on suffering, fear, faith, hope, love, and worldview. I realize that I may have suggested what some would consider “heresy,” but, in my opinion, it is acceptable to take this approach in times like this.
Don’t isolate, but be careful. It won’t help your family or church if you get sick or pass the virus to someone else. Stay current with the evolving status of the virus and its impact.
Serve your family well.
Exercise and eat a healthy diet.
Consider your neighbors. This may be the proverbial “open door” that you’ve looked for to reach out to them. I know a pastor who bought extra toilet paper and has delivered it to neighbors in need. Imagine, a toilet paper outreach ministry!
Expect two extremes, gratitude and criticism. You cannot possibly make the decisions that everyone affirms. Do the best that you can. Listen to statements of gratitude; don’t blow them off. Let them minister to your soul.
Accept the fact that you may feel fear, anxiety, frustration and disappointment with the consistency of your own faith. It is in times of stress that our faith is strengthened as you imperfectly trust Christ.
Call the members of your church. If you can’t call everyone, enlist elders and others to join in the outreach. Your call will say a great deal to the members.
Plan. Part of your planning needs to include the long-run impact of this on the church. The downturn in the economy will impact giving.
Consider how to economize. Stop the expenditures that don’t directly move you toward your purpose. I don’t know if church attendance will increase or decrease—plan for both scenarios.
Our ministry, Pastor Support Network, is here to help you. Write to me if I can help you. dennisnewkirk@gmail.com
