Discouraged? Welcome to the Club?

Pastoral leadership in the 21st Century will be forever marked by the advent of Corona Virus, COVID-19. The virus is gradually revealing its secrets and hopefully its vulnerabilities. It certainly is revealing our vulnerabilities!  

It occurs to me that much of what I’ve written up to this point is based in the pastoral leadership of the common model of a local church. There’s a building, a pastor, a staff, and a small group of stakeholders. There are weekly worship services, Christian education and social programs, and committee meetings. None of that is happening right now – at least not like we remember it. 

Pastors are trying to keep those things going, albeit online and over the phone, with verying degrees of success. Gradually, either because of financial strains due to the virus or because of “out of sight, out of mind” apathy, giving is declining. All of this is frightening to the pastor since his family’s well-being depends upon a steady paycheck and because his self-worth is tied up with the impact of his leadership and preaching. The pastor desires to see lives changed because of his inspiration and churches grow because of his leadership. Therefore, a COVID-19 related depression is looming. 

The heart of the matter seems to be the matter of impact. When pastors have no building, no people in the pews, and decreasing giving, they start feeling very lonely and discouraged. This is the time to return to scripture and re-read the stories of the early church. Look at the journys of Paul. Consider his prison letters and recall that he was doing the same things we are doing now. His message was the one thing that never changed and he never stopped sharing it; no matter where he was or what the format. He was, first and foremost a witness. 

Perhaps this new paradigm will cause many social club churches to re-think there existance and imagine a new vision and mission. Perhaps, they will die. What will pastor’s do when there aren’t so many common local churches to serve? What will they inspire and grow, if not a building and programs? Can you imagine leading a flock of believers outside the building?

More to come . . .