{"id":25540,"date":"2020-05-15T04:00:20","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T10:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/?p=25540"},"modified":"2023-08-29T11:28:05","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:28:05","slug":"leadership-in-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/baonline.cog7engage.net\/leadership-in-crisis\/","title":{"rendered":"Leadership in Crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world is a different place than it was<\/span> just<\/span> five months ago.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As <\/span>I<\/span>\u2019m<\/span> writing <\/span>on the final day of April, there are over 3,000,000 confirmed global cases of COVID-19 and nearly a quarter of a million reported deaths. One-third of those three million cases are in the United States along with over 60,000 of those deaths. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the wake of the COVID-19 health pandemic is a global economic crisis, impacting employment, manufacturing, the <\/span>supply and <\/span>food chain, and global markets. Here in the US <\/span>we\u2019re<\/span> rapidly headed toward<\/span> the worst financial crisis in our history. New unemployment claims continue to set weekly records and economic trends are historically bleak. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a rapidly changing world, how can Christian leaders<\/a> respond in a way that moves people toward Christ and his kingdom?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let me <\/span>share<\/span> five<\/span> quick thoughts<\/span> for<\/span> pastors and other leaders within local churches.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Lead with Faith not Fear<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Christian author A.W. Tozer is quoted as saying, \u201cA scared world needs a fearless church.\u201d In a time of conspiracy theories and <\/span>fear-mongering<\/span>, concerns about freedoms and safety, <\/span>and <\/span>anxiety over health and money, the world is full of fear. <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> time for the church to embrace our faith in a Father who is sovereign, a Savior who is <\/a><\/span>alive<\/span>, a Spirit who is moving!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

God is still at work in all things to bring about his good purposes. Jesus Christ is still building his <\/span>Church<\/span> and nothing can stand in His way! The Holy Spirit is still at work in us to bear His fruit and empower us with His gifts. Our leadership <\/a>context might change, but our God does not! So, in your homes, your neighborhoods, your congregations, your cities, <\/span>all of<\/span> your spheres of influence\u2014lead with faith<\/span>,<\/span> not fear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Redeem the Time<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

What does it look like to lead with faith? <\/span>There are two places in Paul\u2019s letters<\/span> where he encourages <\/span>Christians<\/span> to \u201credeem the time\u201d<\/span>, or as the NIV says, \u201cmake the most of e<\/span>very opportunity.” <\/span>In <\/span>Ephesians 5, <\/span>Paul<\/span> instructs believers to be<\/span>, \u201credeeming the time, <\/span>because the days are evil\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

O<\/span>ur <\/span>n<\/span>atural response when we see evil, <\/span>death, sadness, <\/span>trials<\/span>, <\/span>sickness<\/span>, and <\/span>pain <\/span>is<\/span> to withdraw. Our natural reaction <\/span>is <\/span>to be paralyzed by fear and doubt. <\/span>But<\/span> Paul says, \u201credeem the time <\/span>because<\/span><\/i> the days are evil\u201d.\u00a0 Because we\u2019re in evil times. Because <\/span>we\u2019re<\/span> encountering sin and sickness and death and natural disasters and economic collapse and all of these things, for those very reasons, that\u2019s our opportunity to redeem the time<\/span>!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>o redeem something is to buy it back out of slavery, to bring it back out of brokenness, and destitution, and death. And that\u2019s our calling,<\/a> that\u2019s our mission.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”To redeem something is to buy it back out of slavery. – Israel Steinmetz”]<\/p>\n

Redeeming the time <\/span>means <\/span>we\u2019re<\/span> honest about the obstacles<\/span> but also <\/span>look<\/span>ing<\/span> for <\/span>the <\/span>opportunities.<\/span> Anywhere we look, <\/span>there\u2019s<\/span> going to be obstacles and opportunities. And there are <\/span>opportunities, not just for the church to survive during this crisis, but to thrive! So, look for those opportunities.<\/span> Rather than lamenting what has been put on hold, or perhaps lost forever, look for those new avenues for reaching the lost, discipling<\/a> believers, and advancing God\u2019s kingdom on earth!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Be Flexible & Adaptable<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

In order to make the most of every opportunity in a crisis, we need to be<\/span> flexible and adaptable.<\/span> Sadly, as Christian leaders <\/a><\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> easy to get comfortable in unexamined traditions, routines, and practices. But t<\/span>his moment in history should cause us to reevaluate <\/span>what<\/span><\/i> we do<\/span>, <\/span>how<\/span><\/i> we do it<\/span>, <\/span>why<\/span><\/i> we do it<\/span> as believers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it biblically mandated<\/span>\u2014<\/span>something that God tells us in Scripture that we must do? O<\/span>r culturally adapte<\/span>d, something that we do because it works within our culture<\/span>? Both <\/span>are<\/span> necessary. <\/span>Don\u2019t misunderstand me. I\u2019m not saying that everything we do has to be biblically mandated. The Bible tells us very little in terms of specifics about how we live and function as the church<\/a>. <\/span>T<\/span>hat\u2019s<\/span> one of the most beautiful things about following Christ\u2014you can do it in any time or place or culture<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”You can do it – follow Christ – in any time or place or culture. – Israel Steinmetz”]<\/p>\n

Re-adapt to our rapidly changing culture<\/h4>\n

A<\/span>t times like this, we need to take what is biblically mandated and <\/span>re-<\/span>adapt to our rapidly changing culture.<\/span> It\u2019s<\/span> time to re-examine<\/span> what<\/span> Scripture tell<\/span>s<\/span> us about how to be the church in the world, and then apply that to the world that we find ourselves in today.<\/span> A crisis<\/a> creates an opportunity for us to ask <\/span>hard<\/span> questions<\/span> about our practices and traditions<\/span> and to face some hard decisions <\/span>which<\/span> we were never willing to face before<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we ask these questions<\/span>\u2014<\/span>about what\u2019s biblically mandated, what\u2019s culturally adapted, what\u2019s just tradition, what\u2019s something we\u2019re convinced needs to be done, or a way to do it, how to do it, why to do it<\/span>\u2014<\/span>we must<\/span> be flexible and adaptable to rapidly changing circumstances.<\/span> Although Christ will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it, the truth is that many local churches will be closing their doors in the next year as a result of COVID-19. Those that survive and thrive will be those who adapt to the world around them by carefully applying Scripture to reality, rather than a fantasy of what used to be.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Something good leaders learn quickly is that it is almost impossible to <\/span>over<\/span><\/i>–communicate.<\/a> We live in what many are calling an \u201cattention economy\u201d\u2014everything and everyone is fighting for our attention. As Christian leaders we need to recognize that we too are battling for the attention of those we lead. And the battle will be lost if <\/span>we\u2019re<\/span> not vigilant. The typical American consumes 20-40 hours of television a week, spends hours every day on their personal electronic devices, and gets bombarded by over 10,000 advertisements each day. Information is flying at them constantly on the radio, the screens, news outlets, social media, friends, family, and businesses. In order to make sure our voice is heard amidst the fray, we need to communicate<\/a> in as many ways as possible.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Often, <\/span>when we face a crisis <\/span>we<\/span>\u2019re<\/span> tempted <\/span>to freeze. We want to handle things well. We don\u2019t want to make mistakes. We want to formulate a plan and work out the plan. <\/span>And th<\/span>ose are good instincts<\/span>. B<\/span>ut if they cause us<\/span> to <\/span>enter \u201canalysis paralysis\u201d and keep us from communicating, then those following our lead <\/span>are going to be isolated<\/a>, and <\/span>there\u2019s<\/span> already too great a risk for people feeling cut off and alone<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"COVID-19
COVID-19 fear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Communicate even as we face an uncertain future<\/h4>\n

We need to<\/span> communicate, even when the communication <\/span>is a humble recognition that <\/span>we\u2019re<\/span> doing our best to follow Christ as we face an uncertain future. <\/span>Let people know <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> there<\/span>. Let them know <\/span>they\u2019re<\/span> not alone. Let them know <\/span>you are working toward a plan, even if <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> not sure what that plan <\/span>is <\/span>going to<\/span> be or how soon it may need to change<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Use every available mechanism for communication, particularly as in-person communication is limited. Phone, email, <\/span>video-conferencing<\/span>, social media, and more are at our disposal. Take advantage of the fact that right now we have more methods of communication than ever before in human history!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Let Love Guide You<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

As you communicate you are moving forward into a future that glorifies God and advances His kingdom<\/a>. How can you be sure that <\/span>you\u2019re<\/span> moving in the right direction? <\/span>It\u2019s<\/span> not easy, but it is simple. Let love guide you. Love for God. Love for people. Crisis <\/span>doesn\u2019t<\/span> change that.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, <\/span>c<\/span>ontinue to take advantage of every opportunity to be the church<\/span>. We<\/span> k<\/span>now<\/span> that \u201cthe building is not the <\/span>church,<\/span> the people are the church.” <\/span>No<\/span>w <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> time to get real about what it looks like to be the church<\/span> even<\/span> if we can\u2019t come together in the same building<\/span>. For far too long Western Christianity has allowed the church building and the weekly worship gathering to be the center of our identity and practice as believers. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now we have an opportunity to re-evaluate and figure out how we can effectively love God and people outside of that place and beyond that timeframe. Christ sent the church into the world on a mission before leaving the earth; perhaps he is speaking to us again <\/span>in the midst of<\/span> COVID-19 to take the church out into the world on a mission?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Loving God and loving people<\/h4>\n

Jesus said that l<\/span>oving God and loving people is the <\/span>very <\/span>essence of what it means to follow <\/span>him. And that\u2019s true<\/span> regardless of time, <\/span>the <\/span>place, <\/span>the <\/span>culture, <\/span>the <\/span>circumstance<\/span>s. You think the world is <\/span>going to<\/span> end tomorrow? Okay, love God, love people. You think this will all blow over in a <\/span>few <\/span>month<\/span>s<\/span>? Okay, love God, love people.<\/span> No matter what you think about the<\/span> present or the future<\/span>\u2014love God and love people<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian history is full of situations in which Christ\u2019s followers shined brightest in the darkest nights, from Paul writing several of his epistles in prison right down to the present day. Let your light shine in this dark night! Lead with faith, not fear! Redeem the time! Be flexible and adaptable! Communicate, communicate, communicate! And most importantly, l<\/span>et<\/span> l<\/span>ove <\/span>g<\/span>uide <\/span>y<\/span>ou!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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