COVID-19 is a moving beast.
The world around us changed overnight as the pandemic was announced. In March and April 2020 enormous energy was poured into reacting and adapting to the new ministry environment. Church leaders were overwhelmed by new information: external guidance, new policies and Safe Ministry guidelines, online ministry tools and everyone else’s ideas. Everyone was exhausted.
The current season: Sustainable ministry
In recent weeks, we have entered a new season as we have all acclimatised to the new normal. This is the time to build sustainable ministry for as long as we can’t gather in person.
This is the time to build sustainable ministry for as long as we can’t gather in person.
What does wise leadership look like in this season? Here are five questions to reflect on during this season:
- How can we create occasional special moments for people to look forward to each month? These may take extra energy but will help people have milestones to look forward to.
- How are we investing in volunteer leaders? Sustainable ministry can only occur when our leaders are energised, equipped and encouraged to serve. Now is the time move the focus from staff to volunteers as we shepherd God’s sheep.
- How are we equipping parents to disciple their young people (including teenagers) at home? The home has never been a more important place to energise for discipleship. A key focus for sustainable ministry is resourcing and encouraging parents to take the step to invest in the faith of their children in regular ways.
- What will effective ministry look like post-COVID-19? This pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to get off the treadmill and reflect on the long-term impact of our current ministries on our people, especially the correlation between our principles and pragmatics. What are the areas and people we are neglecting or the opportunities we could explore in the future?
- What are God’s people hearing from us? God’s people are missing their leaders. We can love people by regularly speaking to them, comforting them, sharing good news stories of what God is doing, pointing them to the gospel and praying for them.
The next season: Launch
As restrictions are eventually rolled back, there is yet more change on the horizon. The final season commences with the announcement of the relaxation of restrictions. It will be a time of great anticipation as we prepare to gather in person again. Church websites will be refreshed, a flurry of Facebook videos inviting people to church will be released and launch celebrations planned.
However, getting church going again will not be easy. Volunteers need to be reengaged, family patterns adjusted, and ministries launched for the second time this year. Preparing for relaunch will take weeks of clear leadership.
Church websites will be refreshed, a flurry of Facebook videos inviting people to church will be released and launch celebrations planned.
What does wise leadership look like in this season? Here are five ideas to reflect on as you prepare for this season:
- Get ready to listen. Everyone has changed due to COVID-19. Many people will have grown in their faith and person. Others will return struggling with sin, guilt, anxiety, fear or doubt. When we return to physical gatherings, it will be the time for listening to our people and hearing how God has been at work in their lives.
- Work in and through your leaders. The greatest danger in the launch stage will be for ministry leaders to try and do everything and exhaust themselves. Wise leaders will work out their launch plan with their leaders.
- Launch your ministries with clear communication. COVID-19 has compelled everyone to rethink ministry. Wise leaders will use all the thinking done in the sustainable season to launch refreshed ministries, that reflect biblical principles. The launch season will provide a great opportunity to communicate the purposes of our ministry and how they partner with the home.
- Celebrate. It has been painful to not physically meet as God’s people. When we can gather again it will be the time to celebrate with praise, eating and laughter, who we are as a community of God’s loved children.
This pandemic has created complexity for our ministries. Wise Christian leaders will seek to boldly lead God’s people with a clear appreciation of the season we are in.