Be Gentle

Dear Pastors

Be Gentle

A short word of encouragement today.

As restrictions are lifted and people can return to church on Sundays, please be gentle. Be gentle on yourself and on your people.

Already you are dealing with a fair amount of disappointment. Some of your people have said unkind things to you and about you because you chose to comply with Government requirements. Others are just not coming back…..at least not now (for different reasons). People who you thought were safe as houses are no where to be seen. And this is on top of church budgets being under pressure and in many cases big pressure to the point of having to make some cuts.

On top of all this you, like most folks, are dealing with a certain level of fatigue. You are emotionally drained and spiritually depleted.

Because of all this you and I are at RISK my friends. We are at risk of venting our disappointment and hurt and frustrations. We are at risk of ranting at our people. We are at risk of over reacting, of telling people off.

Instead, I believe the Lord would say to us as a community of pastors and leaders ‘be gentle’.

• Begin by being grateful for every man, women and child that comes to church. Thank them for choosing to come back.
• Speak words that are like a balm (think ‘balm of gilead’ - Jer. 8:22), a medicine and a tonic.
• Speak, pray and sing words of encouragement.
• Minister to people’s hearts and souls. Everyone is struggling right now.
• Maybe consider keeping services quite a bit shorter for a few weeks even months so that more time can be given to ‘coffee and conversation’.

Finally. I hope you will get an Easter break that will offer you some refreshment for your soul.

Blessings
Alan

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.