I recently read a blog that stated, “The gospel can’t be quarantined.” I’m glad that’s right. People in our communities are facing fear, isolation, economic challenges, and the loss of their normal routine. Many are also dealing with significant health issues that bring spiritual issues to the forefront. People tend to be open to Christ during personal crises; the Coronavirus crisis fits that category. Our interim pastors are working extra hard at keeping the people in their churches … [Read more...]
COVID-19 - Blog Posts by Tag
Tethering-In-Place, the Benefit of Boundaries
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.” Galatians 6:4,5. The Message When I was a little tyke, I spent many a summer day in a leather harness tethered to a flagpole in my grandparents’ spacious front yard. While that might sound odd to the modern parent, I … [Read more...]
Affected Even If Not Afflicted: Loss and the Coronavirus from the Perspective of an Interim Pastor
Our new normal includes living with a constant stream of news about the Coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, we are also living with an understated reality of how we are all affected by Coronavirus, even if not directly afflicted by it. This understated reality is that we are experiencing loss, and most of us aren’t good at grieving losses. Tragic losses reported in the news include the loss of lives, health, jobs, financial resources, and relational connection during a variety of critical … [Read more...]
An Interim Pastor’s Practical Ideas for Leading Your Church Through the Covid-19 Pandemic
I am currently serving a church that is exactly 3,068 miles from my home. As an interim pastor, I spend two weeks a month at the church I serve, and I lead the church remotely the remaining weeks. In some ways, I am already skilled at running parts of the church remotely, but to run an entire church virtually is a new challenge! Here are some practical ways the staff and I are leading through this crisis moment: More Time with Staff We have a remote all-staff prayer meeting once a week … [Read more...]
9 Leadership Principles from an Interim Pastor to Get You Through a Crisis (Like Covid-19)
The world is in an uproar. An unseen enemy, known as Covid-19, has brought our planet to its knees. World leadership is being tested. At VitalChurch, leadership in difficult times is our normal. So how do our interim pastors lead in times of crisis? The following are nine leadership principles that we hold to. Have an accurate assessment of reality and communicate it. No one is helped by pretending, or assuming, things are okay when they aren’t okay. No one is helped by making false … [Read more...]