Hang in there, pastors!

Bob Russell Jan. 12, 2021

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Occasionally people ask my opinion on various personal or church issues. I recently received the following question from a fellow pastor which I have paraphrased below, followed by my response.

QUESTION

Bob,

I just wanted to ask for your prayers. It's been very discouraging dealing with all the Covid issues. As a pastor, I feel like much of my life's work is slipping away.

I know we can never please everyone, but I am so disappointed in our people's lack of love. When we closed on-campus services, some were upset with us. When we resumed on-campus services, some didn't like that. We didn't require masks, and some didn't like that. Now we are asking everyone to wear masks, but some have left our church because we require masks.

I'm concerned that for those who haven't resumed attending services that it is a permanent decision, and we will never see them again. It's so sad.

I am sorry to burden you with this, but I'm certain you've had to deal with these things too. I need some words of wisdom.

MY ANSWER

Your email expresses the feelings of many pastors right now. If misery loves company, you can take comfort in the fact you are not alone. We've all been disappointed in some of our people. We can understand why our elderly and most vulnerable members are hesitant to venture out. Still, it's difficult to understand why healthy, younger people are hunkering down at home on Sunday, especially when they are willing to shop at the grocery store, eat at a restaurant, and attend their kid's ball games. Yet, they are unwilling to attend church in person.

I would suggest several responses that may help lift your spirits. First, contact some other pastors in your area and invite them to lunch. Solomon wrote, "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). One of the most helpful and therapeutic things we pastors can do is interact with other ministers and commiserate together!

But it's even more helpful when we intentionally encourage one another. The Apostle Paul wrote that God "comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God" (2 Corinthians 1:4). When we encourage others who are experiencing similar struggles, we become revitalized in return.

Also, remember your calling. You are in ministry because God called you to preach the word "in season and out of season." When God called the Apostle Paul to preach, he probably envisioned himself being an influential evangelist to the Jews. He was a "Hebrew of the Hebrews," and he understood them. But God sent Paul to the Gentiles, and he was often ridiculed, rejected, and imprisoned. When he recounted his divine calling to King Agrippa, he declared, "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision" (Acts 26:19).

Your ministry is now considerably different than you imagined. But God didn't call you to please people. He called you to be faithful to Him. Your worth is not measured by human applause but by faithfulness to God's Word. Be obedient to your divine call.

One more thing. I think we need to recalibrate how we evaluate ministry. The metric for determining our effectiveness needs to change. Don't measure your value by attendance, baptisms, or offering statistics. Develop a shepherd's heart. Rejoice over the remnant that has proven faithful. Love them, encourage them, and feed them. Continue to nurture the elderly and weak who can't attend. Make a real effort to reclaim the healthy lost sheep who have refused to return but don't be obsessed with retrieving them. Contact them and invite them, but don't let the fearful or the critical rob you of your joy or deter you from your mission.

It seems to me God is purging His church. A year from now, your congregation may continue to be much smaller than a year ago. But I anticipate that it will be stronger. Over 10,000 people followed Jesus at the peak of His popularity, just after He fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fish. But the next day, when Jesus refused to feed them breakfast and began to challenge them with deep, spiritual truth, the people began to grumble about His leadership. The Bible says, "From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him" (John 6:66).

Those who continued to follow Jesus soon pared down to a remnant of about 120 disciples who met in the upper room prior to Pentecost. Yet the Lord used that handful of Spirit-filled, totally devoted followers to transform the world. Your flock may be smaller, but your church may be stronger. Your ministry may look different, but your assignment hasn't changed. Boldly preach the Word and rejoice over whatever harvest God gives.

Cam Huxford, Minister of Compassion Christian in Savannah, Georgia, recently told me the current situation actually energizes him. When asked to explain, he said, "All my life, I've felt guilty when learning of Christian leaders in other parts of the world enduring hardship and suffering persecution. I have been so pampered and spoiled. Now it's my turn. Thankfully I don't have to show up in heaven like a trust fund baby who served in the most comfortable country, in the most comfortable time in history. I may actually have some wounds and scars when I stand before the Lord. But the reward is not to the pampered but to those who have been faithful in battle."

So hang in there, pastors! You are needed now more than ever! Your flock, your country need you to be faithful and hopeful. This is your opportunity to lead with courage and fulfill your assignment to exalt Jesus Christ, whatever the cost. So,"Be strong and courageous, and the Lord, your God, will go with you."

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Bob Russell became the pastor of Southeast Christian Church at just 22 years old. That small congregation of 120 members became one of the largest churches in America, with 18,000 people attending the four worship services every weekend in 2006 when Bob retired. Now through Bob Russell Ministries, Bob continues to preach at churches; conferences throughout the United States, provide guidance for church leadership, mentor other ministers and author Bible study videos for use in small groups. Learn More »

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