With the national conversation shifting to the question of ending the quarantine, pastors find their burden not lifted, but shifted as well. And deepened. As they shepherd their people in quarantine, they are asking how they will Psalm 23-shepherd through the transition back to normal. They are asking what the new normal will look like and how they can best serve their congregations through their questions.

In recent weeks as we have processed the COVID-19 crisis and lockdown, several significant threads have become apparent in my conversations with the U40 ministers I coach and with peers. 

Two weeks ago in our most recent blog, I offered Nine Questions COVID-19 is asking CHURCHES. You can access that article here. 

We turn now specifically to pastors. Over the next seven days, one per day, we will offer Seven Questions that COVID-19 is asking PASTORS.

QUESTION 1:  Will pastors first be seekers of Jesus or seekers of followers?

Pull back the curtain moment: even as pastors feel the strain of pastoring people in a pandemic, some are having a hard time reading the Word and praying every day. The dangers to the pastor in this are several, but here are the big three: 

1. Branch. Not. Abiding. In. Vine

2. If a pandemic won’t drop you to your knees, what will it take? 

3. If the person of Jesus in all of His glory won’t draw you to His Word, what will? 

Add to this the fact that some pastors have plenty of time to produce digital content (Q&As, devotions, sermons, and songs) and hangout online. And even play games.

1. Pastor. Not. Abiding. In. Vine

2. Pastor. Performing. 

3. Pastor. Desert. Death. Ahead. 

Here’s how two of our members in Journey Pastoral Coaching put it:  

1. Will we be entrepreneurs or shepherds? 

2. Will we become shepherds or showmen?

They wonder if the thrill of online followers, clicks, and views will overwhelm pastors’ awe of Jesus, and the privilege that is ours to be undershepherds to His people? Will seeking online followers capture more of our time, energy, and passion – more of our soul – or will our ministry be what the Word tells us it should be: the breathing out from our soul of what Jesus has breathed into our souls in long, strong times with Him, just as He did on earth with the Father? 

So, will the post-COVID ministry legacy be . . .

“Exit seeker-shepherd, enter entrepreneur-showman,” or,

“Exit entrepreneur-showman, enter seeker-shepherd?” 

Fifteen years ago, we were privileged to host David Wilkerson in Belgium. Speaking to about four hundred pastors from every Christian tradition across the country, he spoke a word to us that sent a shiver through the room. With tears he said, “Pastors, don’t waste your anointing in front of a TV screen. Give yourselves to the Word of God and prayer. Give yourselves to bringing people to Jesus.”

Pastor, don’t waste your anointing in front of a screen.

What will it take to keep you and me from seeking Jesus? COVID-19?

What will it take to make you and me seek Him? COVID-20something?

What will it take to not just keep my first love for Jesus, but to make it an ever deepening first love for Jesus? 

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NOTE: Journey Pastoral Coaching exists to provide pastoral coaching to Millennial ministers.

Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, Millennials are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.

We are able to do so thanks to the faithful and generous support of individuals and churches like yours who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry.

Now, more than ever, we need your help.

If you or your church would like to help Millennial ministers in 20 US states and 5 nations build strong for a lifetime in ministry, please click here to contact us by email or to support Journey monthly or with your one-time gift. Thank you.

We also invite you to click and subscribe to our twice-monthly blogs at journeypastoralcoaching.com

“In the early years when I was becoming a pastor, I needed a pastor.” 

 Eugene H. Peterson, The Pastor: A Memoir