The events of the past year have our attention. Global pandemic, economic crisis, and political upheaval have a way of focusing hearts and minds.
For pastors, the events of the past year have been exceedingly trying. The logistical challenges of leading the church in a pandemic have meant adoption of new technologies, challenges of pastoring a congregation that can’t congregate, and the concern for parishioners who have drifted away during the pandemic. In addition, many in our congregations have lost their jobs, and so the economic burden of supporting them, and the ministries of the church, is immense. And, in the midst of it all, the churning political tempest of American society has deeply impacted our congregations, creating deep challenges to our oneness in Christ.
Times of stress like we have experienced this past year have revealed what heart commitments have taken root in ourselves and in our congregations. As pandemic, economic stress, and political polarity have converged to bring unique pressures on the church, there has been a disclosure of the quality of the church’s discipleship in the way of Jesus. In times of disruption, human character is revealed, and with this revelation, the quality of our processes of formation are laid bare. We have seen how the work of discipleship has held, and how it has given way. We have been saddened by those who have succumbed to the pressures, and heartened by those who have stood firm. We have felt despair at the falling away of those in whom we poured time and energy, and we have been encouraged by the work of the Spirit to grow women and men into the image of Christ.
The force of these challenges, while often being painful and discouraging, have also led to a glimpse of possibilities for the church. Over the past few months, I have been involved in numerous conversations with pastors that focused on the opportunity we have before us: The opportunity to engage in a revitalization of the church’s task of discipleship. While we are fully aware that it is not we ourselves, nor our programs, that shape souls into the character of Jesus, we do have a responsibility to lead our congregations to pursue Christlikeness.
In the coming weeks, we are focusing on the theme of worship, liturgy, and spiritual formation. The past year has highlighted critical questions in the life of the church: What is the nature of the worshipping community? How are followers of Jesus formed to be able to thrive in times of crisis? What role does liturgy play in the formation of disciples? What have we been doing that has collapsed under the pressure of the strain of the past year? How must the church be more intentional about discipleship, and what commitments must we make to experience a renewed work of God’s Spirit within our congregations?
We offer these resources to pastors and church leaders as an encouragement to you: Though these are difficult days, there is an opportunity for renewal. We pray with and for you that the trying times we are experiencing will lead to a new work of the Spirit to mold men and women into the image of Christ Jesus, that our congregations might shine as lights in the darkness in powerful new ways, to the glory of God.
This resource is part of the series Made Like Him: Reflections on Formation and Gathered Worship. Click Here to explore more resources from this series.
Joel Lawrence is the Executive Director of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He previously served as the Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church in St. Paul, MN and as a Professor of Theology at Bethel Seminary. He holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of Cambridge. He is a member of the St. Anselm Fellowship of the Center for Pastor Theologians.
