Pastors in Pandemics
The current pandemic shutdown has been strange in many ways. Pastors who want to teach have had to catch up with hi-tec (or it is only me who feels like an old dog learning new tricks?). Members, committees, deacons, sessions, presbyteries and prayer-meetings have been 'Zoomed' at warp factor 6 into 2020 cyberspace.
While some who read this post are mourning recent loss, it is with gratitude to God that most blog-readers, to date, have been graciously preserved. If my own recent online chats are a fair gauge, a consensus is emerging among teachers of Christ's flock - we need to weigh up how, for the Gospel sake, to use God's lock-down best.
With regard to EVANGELISM, it is good to hear that others are distributing books and tracts. One pastor in central, southern, Ireland (that sounds Irish), reads Scripture via loudhailer (with permission) while perched outside nursing homes or a residential estates. I hope to tailor texts midweek to reach more outside church.
With respect to INSTRUCTION, most have determined to comfort and calm sheep with well-trodden consoling texts. Some are now moving to address specific issues raised by the coronavirus crisis. Yet if truth is truth, saints are saints, and Christ is Christ, while it is good to be relevant and pertinent, souls need nourishing food.
With reference to DIET, you may decide to resume or draw up a regular syllabus. I'm 'chomping at the bit' to get back to regular work. In God's good providence, that may be months off yet. In the interim, let me urge flock chefs (at home or God's House) to take time out to select texts that feed sheep lost and found best.
As the Savior of the World said to one of His elect "If you love me, feed my sheep!"
..And if you just happen to be a hungry, frustrated, sheep (hypothetically-speaking of course), pray for all, and your own, pastors that God would grant wisdom for the task. May God's visible flock be enlarged during this trial. May all sheep who feast in God's green grass emerge from Covid-19 well-shepherded, strong and sleek.
