How should Pastors lead their churches during the Pandemic? This essay gives reasonable dictates dealing with the possible new order in ecclesiastical order.
Major challenges are at hand as Pastors and other church leaders are burdened with how to accompany their congregations through the valley of this pandemic of anxiety, fear, and death. They are seemingly struggling as they try to lead into what is becoming more of a new world order of worship, prayer, and religious practices. More than ever, faith and viable leadership are apropos for the times. We all know that they will continue preaching the fundamental differences between religiosity and spirituality. I know for a fact that many secular policymakers do not hate religion; they simply do not understand it. They do not understand religion as something known through innate experiences, but simply as an external phenomenon that produces behavior patterns they cannot relate to. But the pastors that care more are the ones determined to ride out the storm for safe(r) passages to normalcy. Even attending a church that socially distances makes little sense to the naysayers, as the slightly increased risks of getting infected comes with no apparent benefit. Spirituality on the other hand allows people to adhere to the dictates of Psalms 91 as Godly guidelines for trusting and obeying him, especially during viruses, pestilences, and other forms of a pandemic. I wrote this essay during my research and conversations with a few pastors that were open for discussion relative to what advice on how they can lead the body of Christ in a time of change, and possible declining church membership. What I found out was appalling.
I was astounded while listening for any coherence on my part for soluble solutions in lieu of masking up and sanitizing ad nauseam. I understand because of Covid-19, there’s a shake economy, daily deaths, and issues of racial equality, the pastors I talked to face a range of even more difficult challenges that are undermining their confidence in substantial ways. They are concerned too, on how best to adapt and address any difficult situation thereof. I surmise that we are in a time when the problems my church and others face are not going to be solved by going back to ‘normal’. Moreover, there’s no assurances that the old ways will endure. In many ways there may not be practices and purposes of going back to to now it used to be, thanks to Covid-19. This means that pastors will have to rally their churches to embrace new visions. I’m cognizant of how my leaders will respond, including myself being wheelchair bound, notwithstanding. Just recently I was asked how can I, or what could I do in a leadership capacity not being able to walk. I responded by saying that I would use all the gifts and talents given me to make all the differences to my congregational member lists; I will be the indelible Scribe as I am continuing to write things down and make them plain. Then too, I’m understanding that I’m here to aid and abet my pastor with a great deal of resilience—a quality that incorporates due diligence that goes beyond passivity for the right range of leadership acumen. I admire my pastor all because of what’s in his character, in his personality, and in his faith. This is what all of us need…something solid that we can hold on to as storms rage.
It’s a lot to ask pastors what would be inner strengths to lead their church from familiarity into uncertain futuristic endeavor. When I speak of resilience, I feel it’s about the capacity to maintain our core purpose and integrity in the face of this pandemic. The key is answering the question of, “What do we find crucial when everything around us is disruptive? Who are we dependent on for church to not suffer, more abandoned?” Simply put—leadership is to be transparent, and be viable, visible, and vivid. Lastly, it is my opinion that pastors seeking to lead their congregation through troubled, fractured times like what is experienced now must possess more on how they lead, and to what extent. The concept of Koinonia—right with God and right with each other is about the unity of being wise and willing about spirituality, devising any viable way possible forging forward into the new world. Emphasis may be less with Sunday passive worship, and more on individual relationships; less on traditional practices and more on innovation and creativity. The church should not lack its vitality where leadership should continue being available leading the way God envisioned Kingdom men and women to be. My wheelchair will be my chariot of a charismatic charge as the leader God saw in me!
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