Pastors across the United States are watching church members navigate uncertain times in another government shutdown. Some members have not been in to work in several days or weeks. Others are going to work but not being paid. Some have been let go permanently.
In my own area of ministry, Hampton Roads in Southeast Virginia, it has been estimated that around 40% of economic activity is tied to federal funding. Several governmental agencies host offices and employ members of our community including, Department of War, NASA, nearly every branch of the U.S. military, CIA, and more.
The presence of governmental agencies in our communities create shepherding responsibilities and opportunities. Craig Bartholomew points out how Abraham Kuyper draws ministry implications and argues, “that the church should devote special care to its members who are in government, nurture theological studies to help the politician, and resist any view that sees civil society as of no concern for the Christian.” Perhaps government shutdowns should be seasons for ministry ramp-ups.
Shepherding ministry always carries challenges. And the times in which we shepherd people play a significant part in those challenges. Major events like government shutdowns can become major crises in the lives and souls of those we shepherd. Pastor, how can you shepherd your flock through a government shutdown? Here are several ideas.
1. Pray Personally and Corporately
Trying times can become seasons of great prayer. Chuck Lawless identifies prayer as one of Seven Characteristics of Pastoral Leaders who Don’t Give Up Easily. Pastor, are you praying personally for those affected by the government shutdown? Are your prayers ignorant of the times in which God has placed you?
In addition to your personal prayers, you can lead the church to corporately pray in light of national and international events.
2. Make Personal Pastoral Contacts
Early on in the 2020 pandemic shutdown, I printed up a list of every phone number we had collected through our church. Along with another pastor at our church, I personally contacted every single person. Not with a text message or a mass email. With a personal phone call. Sometimes they were shocked that a real person was calling them. Sometimes they expressed that they had moved away several months ago and that nobody had checked on them. They were all appreciative of the call.
Print up the list and start calling. You can draft a call guide if you’re worried about what to say. It doesn’t have to be complicated. “Hey, this is Pastor Jeff. I know a lot of us are dealing with some weighty things regarding the shutdown. I just wanted to call and check in. How are you?”
3. Organize Your Deacons
God uses deacons to serve the church. Quentin Self warns pastors of trying to bear someone else’s yoke as we do all the ministry ourselves. Deacons are a gift to the church. They are designed to carry some of the burden.
How might your deacons serve the church in this season of shutdown? Some deacons find themselves with extra time on their hands in which they can help church members. Other deacons may be able to fix up that church facility problem that no one has gotten to.
4. Touch Base With Small Group Leaders
Sometimes Sunday School teachers and Small Group leaders know the needs of their class better than the pastor knows the needs of the flock. While there can be many reasons for this, sometimes it’s simply an issue of proximity.
Could you send a quick text message out to your small group leaders and simply ask them, “Hey, do you have any group members who could use an extra pastoral phone call as they navigate the shutdown?”
5. Look for Sermon Applications and Illustrations
God’s voice resounds from the pulpit as you open up and proclaim his word. And a key part of your sermon is the applications and illustrations. You can drive a lesson home or confuse your hearers with applications and illustrations.
How might the text you’re preaching this Sunday be directly applied to those dealing with a government shutdown? What is the heart condition of your church members dealing with the shutdown and how might this text provide particular help and encouragement? How might the shutdown provide an illustration in which the truth of the sermon may be helpfully explained?
6. Develop A List of Local Contacts
While your church may not be able to provide every aspect of care that you’d like to; you may be able to help make the connection with those who can. Develop a list of local contacts who can help with things like food insecurity, housing, car repairs, budgeting, financial assistance, local transportation, etc.
7. Help Who You Can
You can’t meet every need for every person. But you can meet some needs for some people. And God may intend to use your church in such a season as this that it can make an eternal difference in someone’s life.
Brothers, the work of shepherding ministry is difficult. And seasons like government shutdowns and pandemics don’t make pastoral ministry any easier. But they do highlight its importance. How might you shepherd people in this season?
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