Shepherding Now

Just a few weeks ago my wife and I were stressing over what the summer was going to look like: budgeting for our annual visit to see family in Seattle, whether to sign up for this camp or that camp, and wondering how we’d survive yet another summer with kids bouncing off every solid object in our house.

Feels like a thousand years ago.

Everything has changed, hasn’t it? We’re in Minnesota where a statewide lock down was recently declared, but social distancing has been in effect for a couple of weeks already. All of our plans, all of our meetups are now either cancelled or on permanent pause. In particular we miss our regular dinners with friends and family. Summer, of course, is one big question mark. And we no longer need to imagine what having the kids home 24/7 for an extended time will be like (entering week 4!?!?!?!?!).

And as we’ve been learning how to live with this new way of life, I’ve been so thankful for my friends and colleagues who are shepherding their people, including our own church’s pastoral staff and elders, and I want to acknowledge how important your role and voice is right now. I know that it’s not easy to lead when everything’s mediated through screens and spotty WiFi connections, but I hope you know that your efforts to bring light and hope into the lives of your people are making a difference. Now more than ever we need the truth and hope of the present and redeeming God, and your Zoom bible studies and Live-streamed worship services are helping.

A few days ago a friend shared something that resonated with me: no one’s done this before. There’s no playbook, there’s no manual, there’s no YouTube how to video. We’re all figuring it out, and mistakes are going to be made. Perfection isn’t going to be possible.

What is possible, however, is doing our best. Doing our best to look out for each other. Doing our best to lead during a time when leading is hardest.

Doing our best to seek Christ, and to be his Body in this world that he loves.

Thank you for what you’re doing. It’s good and meaningful work.