Anyone who tells you that they have local church ministry during Covid-19 figured out is either delusional or far wiser than I am. Because after thirty-four years of pastoring, I am finding this season the most challenging—by far. I have never seen anything like it. The health, political, and social challenges are real.
Additionally, as a pastor, I am engaged in a work in which a primary aspect of my responsibility is calling people together to hear God’s Word preached. Literally, my job is to gather crowds in a time when that is highly discouraged!
I’m sure there has never been a time in my life when I have prayed more earnestly for God’s wisdom nor sought clarity and counsel as frequently.
As an undershepherd of Christ’s church, I feel responsible
- To teach and preach God’s Word to our church family.
- For the safety of our members and community.
- For the health of our church family.
- For the spiritual wellbeing of Christ’s flock.
- To continue to reach out to our community with the gospel.
Balancing all of these concerns is challenging, to say the least. Other pastors I have discussed these issues with have expressed the same challenges.
Some pastors, church staff, or church members may look at just one issue—perhaps scientific data—and think the answers of how to proceed are clear as day. But I can assure you, it’s not that simple. The Bible tells us, “In the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). Something similar could be said for there being safety in seeking guidance on multiple facets of these issues.
In the midst of such conflicting information in the news and multi-level concerns for the church, how can a pastor make wise decisions regarding when and how to hold services, how to minister to the community, and how to biblically care for the spiritual wellbeing of his church family?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions. Here in California, we’re still in a position to have to make new decisions almost every week as varying types of data emerge. But in making these decisions, there are several aspects I consider.
1. Biblical Obedience
This is where it starts and ends. My primary and ultimate concern is to obey Christ and follow His Word.
God’s Word commands us to assemble: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
As I shared in a blog post last month, because assembling is a biblical mandate for the church, I do not see a scenario in which a church can refuse to assemble for an indefinite amount of time and be obedient to Christ. Obviously, there are emergency situations in which a temporary pause or change of venue (such as we all believed would be the case at the beginning of this pandemic) are not an abdication of assembly. But an ongoing, indefinite cessation of assembly cannot be an option on the table.
While we will take every precaution possible to keep our church family and community safe—out of love for them and respect for government leaders working to protect public health—at the end of the day, we say with the apostles, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). And the general rule of weekly assembling is a biblical mandate.
2. Spiritual Concern
I am concerned for our church members who want and need spiritual encouragement during what has become one of the most difficult times of their lives. These people—from medical professionals on the front lines of exposure to the virus, to widows and singles living alone, to young couples faced with the challenges of raising a Christian family during job losses, to men, women, and teens struggling with various emotional challenges—need the spiritual encouragement of preaching and fellowship more now than perhaps any other time.
Every time our church is required to pivot in some regard to our services—outdoor or indoor location, service times, in-person or online group studies, etc.—I think of these people and how the options available in the decision could impact their access to spiritual growth.
3. Legal Guidance
The politicization of this pandemic has undoubtedly made the medical issues fuzzier than they would have been otherwise. Even so, there are public servants who are genuinely doing their best to protect public health.
I respect the office of these leaders (as Romans 13 instructs us to do), and I appreciate the efforts of those who want to keep our community safe. To whatever extent we can comply with legitimate orders that do not conflict with God’s commands, we absolutely will (and have done so).
Over the past several months, I’ve spent much time trying to understand and follow the latest guidance. This has included daily calls with legal counselors as well as frequent calls with our local leaders at the city and county level. It has often been frustrating to receive conflicting counsel at federal, state, and local levels. But we have done our best to understand and work with those in authority. And we have been careful to question if our decisions are sound according to legal counsel.
4. Physical Needs
I have concerns for those with underlying conditions. I’m legitimately concerned for Covid patients. I have had pastor friends experience serious cases of Covid-19. And just today, one of our dear church members with Covid-19 went to be with the Lord. I don’t take the physical needs lightly.
When I speak to younger leaders, they sometimes tend to be dismissive of the health implications of the virus. Some hope for it to spread quickly so we can develop herd immunity. When I speak to older leaders, they usually tend to be concerned about taking as many precautions as possible. I pastor a church with people from infants to the elderly. I can’t take a flippant attitude, and I can’t take a fearful attitude. My practice has been to try to hear all of the concerns and be learning and understanding the best medical and safety procedures.
5. Medical Information
The medical information on Covid-19 is all over the map. Some outlets lead us to think that half of America is dying. Others seem to take it too lightly. Over the past several months there has been conflicting information, sometimes seemingly released at opportune moments to further one or another agenda.
But because this is a real medical issue, I can’t just assume no medical information matters. As a leader, I try to understand the dangers and needs for caution. Obviously, this varies from one state or local community to the next.
6. Perception of Those Concerned
Scripture commands me to show concern and deference, even to someone who is more concerned than I am. Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” And Philippians 2:3–4 says, “…in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
If I, as a pastor, blow off the concerns of those in our own church who are fearful of contracting the virus, my brashness could limit the ability of some to receive spiritual encouragement because they do not feel they can come to services.
Whether or not it is medically relevant, there is a real sense in which wearing masks, making careful provision for and following social distancing guidelines, and taking every precaution possible in church services becomes a matter of humility and deference. Even if I didn’t think it was necessary for protection, I would gladly do it to facilitate spiritual support and encouragement for others.
7. Testimony with Community
Since I came to Lancaster, California, just over thirty-four years ago, it has been my prayer that no honest history of our community could be written without mentioning Lancaster Baptist Church. Our church’s desire is to impact our community for Christ with the gospel.
For thirty-four years, our church has reached out to every home in our valley with the gospel. We have served law enforcement and medical professionals. We have built relationships with our city and county leaders.
So when those same leaders find themselves in the middle of a pandemic, I want to be a team player who helps serve the public health of our community. I want to be someone who listens to concerns and is part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.
But beyond our relationship with community leaders, our church members are still inviting their friends and co-workers to come to our socially-distanced, masked, sometimes-outdoor services. Some have been saved. So, I don’t want to brazenly defy the health concerns of an entire community and leave the people I want to reach with the gospel fearful of coming to our church.
8. The Leading of God
Even with the seven considerations listed above, there are many variables from one church to the next and from one community to the next. For us, there have been variables from one week to the next! There’s no special formula to make the perfect decision in such a challenging time. At the end of the day, as the senior pastor of our church, I must seek the wisdom of God and obey His impulses.
If you’re a pastor, seek God’s face. Ask Him boldly for His wisdom. I’ve been claiming the promise of James 1:5 more now than at any other point in my ministry: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
If you’re a church member or church staff, pray for your pastor. And trust God to lead and direct him. Although the context of Hebrews 13:17 is primarily spiritual, the reality of the phrase “for they watch for your souls, as they that must give an account” is weighty. Speaking from the heart of a pastor, I can tell you that the physical pandemic overlaps real spiritual concerns for the flock. With this in mind, follow the guidance your pastor provides, even if your personal concerns or medical intuition would be less cautious.
This pandemic has dragged on for a long time. And there are some indications that aspects of it will continue for some time to come. But it won’t last forever. We will get through it. And if we are following the Lord and receiving His grace, we’ll be stronger for it.
Meanwhile, our church is having services, witnessing, finding ways to engage our community with the gospel, and, most of all, desiring to be found faithful to Christ.
