A good pastor friend of mine wrote a blog entitled “Why I’m Thankful to Be Connected to a Local Church in a Time Like This. ”

As a pastor, he shared his gratitude for the local church during this Covid-19 season and I couldn’t agree more.

In this follow-up post, I share 3 reasons why this unique season humbles me as a pastor: 

1. My Development of "Lay Leaders" (or Lack-thereof) is Showing Itself

I totally believe God gave pastors to the church to equip God’s people for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12). And I love that this unique season gets to prove that reality (albeit in different ways).

Take small group leaders as an example. Think about how important they are right now. Think about their potential in helping shepherd the church (even digitally).

But what sobers me is that my small group leaders’ present ability to adjust and care for others (as opposed to falling into passivity and confusion) holds up a mirror to my own leadership as a pastor.

This season isn’t revelatory of my present adaptability or ability to plan for the future. It exposes my past work of intentionality in developing the saints.

2. The Dexterity of Other Church Tribes Is Showing Itself 

I can’t help but see the painful irony of the saddening quote “When we differ, there I pronounce him to be mistaken.”

For years, the multi-site church tribes have stressed the missional possibilities of video sermons as a form of multiplication. Church growth tribes have mused ad nauseam on the need for churches to expand their digital capabilities. And these days, these brothers and sisters have adapted best and have even led the way in providing tutorials for others.

But for years, those who have sat on the other side of these tribal borderlines have ignored their thoughts, if not outrightly labeled them as being “unbiblical.” (Remember the outrage when Judah Smith came out with the online church platform? I remember my skepticism).

I’m not saying a crisis situation proves a certain model or church philosophy, but what I am saying is that I’ve been reminded that while I don’t have to learn everything from every tribe, I should maintain a posture of trying to learn something from everyone. 

3. My Dependency on My Planning Over Prayer is Showing Itself

Before this crisis really took off, I was in the midst of planning the ministry calendar a year out in advance. But once things took off, I found myself going around in circles because I couldn’t plan something in the immediate or the near distant future (due to the fluidity of the situation). 

It took email reminders for me to realize that my knee-jerk reaction wasn’t prayer, but planning. Of course, these two things go hand-in-hand. We need to prayerfully plan and plan to pray, but I realized how off-balanced my response was. I just wanted to get the ball rolling in any direction I could. 

My dad (who is a pastor) gives me the same constant advice - “Pray and abide in Jesus.” I was reminded why he consistently urged and urges me to stay dependent on the Lord. My proclivity is to try to take over. I like to mask it as “leadership,” but it’s often my need for control. 

1. If you’re a church leader, let’s continue to humble ourselves. We don’t have all the answers no matter how great our church tribe may be. It’s in conversing with other tribes that we move forward with the perspective of God’s Kingdom (which is bigger than our own tribes). Let’s also remember that the strength of our church lies with our people, not ourselves. And let’s pray cause that’s what our people need right now. They need praying leaders. 

2. If you’re a part of a church, please take time to pray for your leaders during this unprecedented time. If your church leaders appear like they’re trying to figure things out, that’s because they are. Give us grace. We’re doing our best. Furthermore, please be a fellow minister with a ministry to your fellow brothers and sisters. Reach out to someone, shoot a text, and ask what you can pray for.

Jesus is the Head of the Church when the church is doing great. 

He’s also the Head during strange and scary times. 

Let’s follow Him.