Summer is Concluding – COVID Remains
As summer comes to a close, the pandemic continues to grip the United States, forcing pastors to consider what it means to lead online or hybrid church services into the fall of 2020. At the top of the list of concerns for the leaders is how to do Kids and Student ministry. One half of ministry leaders are struggling with this area of church work. Additionally, 44% of spiritual leaders are struggling with how to conduct a hybrid church format. Add another layer of disruption to this conversation 35% of spiritual leaders are facing burnout.
I personally can relate to these statistics. I have had my dark days recently that has swept over me like a flood. This season of history has been a very real disruption. Many ministers have felt like they did not sign up to all of sudden become a digital pastor. So, I think a lot of spiritual leaders are being forced into positions where they either have theological reservation or a lack of practical skill. They’re being forced to operate out of a weakness and against their preferences and convictions. And that gets draining!
Personal branding and efforts to have large audiences is not where many efforts are being focused. I feel like many leaders just want to love on their attendees and make sure they are OK! Yet we are faced with the notion that faith runs the risk of diminishing in some Christians. We do not want that to happen, but it will! All the more that our prayer ministry efforts are to increase, not decrease. This is a spiritual battling!
Could it be there is a theological reexamination that is taking place in people’s thinking? It is difficult to live in a James chapter one frame of mind – “Count it all joy…” I have engaged many conversations with people who are angry, confused, discouraged, and disillusioned. Loss of jobs and relationships that are being strained. Do not be over-whelmed or discouraged. I do not believe that struggling with God is not a sign of losing faith. It’s a sign of deepening faith. Wrestling with God is a gift and leads to further maturity. I think with skillful leadership, this can be a sign of growth, but it is hard work to continually revisit that week after week and live through it.
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