Flocks Tending to Shepherds

We chatted with a long-time friend in ministry the other day, when she called us up to check in. She was actually a "tween" on my first pastoral charge in outport Newfoundland, 40 years ago, and we've maintained a relationship through the decades. She is a skilled and dedicated minister and much appreciated by her active congregation. 

As with everyone else, COVID-19 has changed everything and she admits that it's exhausting. The congregation is still working through a return to in-the-sanctuary worship, even as the prospect of new, Second Wave, restrictions looms. She is aware that some of their seniors are struggling mightily with isolation and depression, but as with so many others in ministry she doesn't want to make decisions which could be lethal. As with our son, Isaac, she has been doing pastoral care over the phone, but that has its limitations. 

This is the reality for so many in Christian ministry these days. While the United Church has offered some guidelines, each congregation must choose what to do on the basis of who they are and where they are. Needless to say, in our "herd of cats" United Church there are many different outlooks on how this should all be addressed, and some people get testy or want to ignore the rules. 

This has been immensely stressful for clergy and it is entirely unprecedented. I didn't have to deal with anything like this in nearly four decades of pastoral ministry. For clergy parents of young children there is the prospect of the coronavirus being brought home from school, and the possibility of quarantine for the family. Some clergy have underlying health issues, either personally or for family members. Some are so fearful that they don't want to come out of isolation even as their congregations want the opportunity to gather. Most haven't been able to take a proper vacation and some have been forced to cancel carefully planned sabbaticals. There are congregations which are in financial distress, which poses the prospect of closure and loss of work. 

I mentioned to our friend the observation by Nadia Bolz Weber that when she speaks to her circle of clergy friends and acquaintances she is aware that ministry in this time is "twice the work, with half the results, and little feedback."  That's a potent recipe for burn-out. 

Yes, we called to place our trust in a loving God. Just the same,I have some modest proposals. 

First of all, play well with others -- Jesus would approve.

Reach out to your clergy and other staff members to express support..Say thank you and affirm their creativity and resilience! 

Pray daily for your ministry and congregational leaders, that they may make wise and faithful choices for your Christian community. 

Realizing that we may be in pandemic mode for the long haul, propose that clergy worship leaders have a Sunday off each month so that they can regroup and plan ahead. To quote our Prime Minister, "we still have a shot at Christmas." 

I realize that we're all trying to find our way forward in difficult times. There is an opportunity to respond to the unique challenges of those who are doing their best to be "good shepherds" when their flocks are scattered. 

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