The word “unprecedented” has been thrown around a lot lately, but it really does sum up these last few months. I’ve heard so many describe this time as an experience of “really high highs and really low lows.”

I wholeheartedly agree. All of us are experiencing loss in one way or another. Many of us are experiencing first-hand the loss and grief that COVID brings.

Keep in mind, some have had their lives turned upside down by death and/or loss of job. Even if you’re doing okay” and COVID’s impact has been minor for you relative to others, it is virtually impossible to avoid some feeling of uncertainty, restlessness, and anxiety as we navigate the changing circumstances of our world today.

Furthermore, for many of you who are ministry leaders, this time of uncertainty has likely brought even more stress as you pour yourselves out to the needs of the individuals you shepherd. Jesus experienced something similar.

Moreover, Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” - Matthew 9:35-38

“Sheep without a shepherd” has been on display in a fresh way during this pandemic; we all seem to be grasping for answers.

The longer our quarantine goes on and we are filled with uncertainty, our hearts are revealed. Pastoral care ministry allows one to have a safe and constructive space to acknowledge their doubts and worries.

Additionally, within the church, we are struggling with the cognitive dissonance of telling our people that the loving thing to do is continue to participate in social distancing while at the same time telling people that we, as Christ followers, are called to trust God and be willing to put ourselves in harm's way for the sake of those who are suffering and in need.

As leaders, we see more clearly now that the world is truly like a sheep without a shepherd. We see the need and we see our people anxiously navigating new territory, and we want to lead them well through this dramatic shift… but how?

The temptation will be to prove ourselves, to try to provide for every pastoral need, and to perfectly respond in a way that “makes it right again.” But Jesus tells us to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.”

Keep in mind, he doesn’t say to the disciples, “Get to work and show how capable you are, proving that I was right to choose you.”

Instead, He calls them to prayer. When overwhelmed with the needs of a harassed and helpless world, the disciples are called to follow Jesus and pray for more workers.

Frantic Shepherds Shepherding Frantic Sheep

It will be easy for leaders to take on the weight of the need, to “have it all together,” to take on the anxiety, loss and trauma of their people.

Moreover, Christ calls us to servant leadership, to take up our cross and to follow Him in laying down our life for the sheep. This is important and true, but a key question to ask yourself is this: When we get in the frenzy of sacrifice, do we steward it well?

Or do we become stressed and lose our connection with Christ?

The Effects of Stress on You and Your Spirituality

Stress is one of the most important influencers of our health. It changes our hormones, affects our sleep patterns, negatively impacts our immune system, and alters the way we view the world.

In fact, medical science continues to discover new ways in which stress wears down nearly every aspect of our minds and bodies.

So, what can pastoral care ministry do for us? Let’s first ask, “What do we often naturally do with stress?” Many try to solve it through working harder and answering its call.

Furthermore, we doggedly decide to fight stress head-on by going into “fix it” mode: We attack the areas of our life that seem to be applying stress most acutely and we either eliminate them or solve for them in our attempt to maintain control.

The only problem is that this often actually increases the stress.

In trying to eliminate the stressors in our lives, we often come face-to-face with the reality that they have become an ever increasing pile. We are essentially pulling out the rocks at the bottom while a digger continually loads more rocks at the top.

Our stressors can seem never-ending: thoughts of paying our bills on time; providing daily food to eat; saving enough money for the future.

We inevitably become stuck in a vicious cycle that shows us no mercy, until eventually we are paralyzed by all that’s demanded of us, and all we must do and be.

Shepherd-Sheep Who Need THE Shepherd

Of course, faithful, active responses to difficult obstacles in our lives can be part of our response and an important piece of our vocation in Christ. These responses become evident through pastoral care ministry.

But, the majority of the things that bring stress and anxiety are events and factors we can’t control--aspects of life that require prayer, patience and perseverance.

Additionally, we need to “attack the problem” from a different angle. And that angle won’t feel like it's directly addressing it at all. The good news is that there are many ways we can begin to reduce the stress on our bodies and the noise in our minds even in the most uncertain times.

Practicing self-care is in fact one of the most tangible ways to steward our pastoral care ministries.

When I say “self-care,” I don’t mean the distorted idea in which we put ourselves before others always, to ensure our own needs are prioritized above all else. I am also not referring to the shallow prescription of the world’s methods to “Eat healthy,” “Pet dogs,” and “Exercise more.”

Moreover, the “self-care” I’m referring to is exactly the mentality and lifestyle that Jesus Himself calls us to in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Practically, this self-care, or “taking our yoke upon Christ,” looks different for different people. But ultimately it is a matter of good stewardship; recognizing our need for intimacy with Jesus, the “Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.”

It’s coming to grips with human limitations, and stewarding our mind, body, and energy accordingly so that we can then best serve and pour out our lives for others. When we attack life with an emotional gas tank on E, we only end up hurting ourselves and those around us.

The truth is, we significantly underestimate the psychosomatic connection between the spiritual realities of our calling and the mental/physical health that enables it. How you approach and navigate the stress of this dramatic cultural change will determine the likelihood of burning yourself out in the process.

How can you steward your life and ministry well, even in times of rapid change and loss?

Heart Habits for Shepherd-Sheep

Below are the top three areas in which we must prioritize if we are going to maintain our end of the partnership with God to care of and nurture our whole selves.

Additionally, these areas are some of the key building blocks of our pastoral care ministry. With these tools, one can become closer to God and more fulfilled.

1. Take time to process

a. Grief and loss - before the Lord we can truly grieve. Grieve even the simple things of loss; the loss of contact, the loss of momentum, the loss of mutual, physical hospitality.

We can grieve, and grieve with those who grieve. And the loss will be, and maybe already has been, a loss of life. Take the time to process grief.

b. Disruption of calling - this disturbs our plans. Many have commented when this started that “this was not what they planned on giving up for Lent.”

But we are way past Lent now. We’re at the end of the Easter season and about to hit summer with our plans still shifting, changing, and unknown.

We need to process our frustration and allow God’s sovereign hand to guide us so that we can embrace His given limitations. Limitations can be and often are a gift from God.

c. The pressure to perform - how to “get it right” in a new and shifting landscape. We will feel, as I’ve heard many express, that the way we handle this time will make or break the future of our church or ministry.

If we don’t get it right by doing enough to keep everyone engaged, when we “reopen” we may not see everyone come back.

We are called to labor with all our might at the leadership vocation that the Lord has given us but we can’t ultimately control the fruit. Labor as one who works for the Lord, and trust the Lord with the results.

d. Your shadow side - look beneath the surface with hope and humility. Pete Scazzero, author of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, defines it this way: “Shadows are those untamed emotions and behaviors that lie, largely unconscious, beneath the surface of our lives that constitute the damaged versions of who we are.

They may be sinful; they may simply be weaknesses. Most importantly, they lie concealed just beneath the surface of our more proper selves.” Pressure reveals or squeezes out issues and character flaws we didn’t know were there.

As we experience new pressures and unique relational strain we’ll see some new, previously undiscovered ugliness in our hearts that will surprise us. When you see it, don’t shove it away. Take a look and go before the Lord in repentance and faith with all hope in the Spirit’s work in you.

2. Keep first things first

a. Linger longer in Scripture and in prayer. Start journaling more. Record your hopes and fears before the Lord. Ask boldly, claim biblical promises, and search the scriptures like a treasure with joy!

b. Normalize more rest and silence/solitude. This can be a time for self-knowledge and self-examination; a time for learning and growing in ways that are normally squeezed out.

c. Love your families well. Prioritize them. Quarantine with our families can be a blessing while at the same time one of our biggest stressors.

Keep it in perspective. One of the greatest vocations God has given you is being a spouse and a parent. Get creative, date your spouse, have fun with your kids, lead them as you would lead your leadership team with all intentionality and care.

d. Serve your neighbors. Look for ways to serve those who aren’t part of your paid leadership role: those who will never pay you back and in which you have no natural incentive to serve.

Jesus tells us that a life of servitude grows us in compassion and in this, He reveals to us more of His heart for us and for His people.

3. Keep it simple and trust the Lord for the rest

At the heart of pastoral care ministry is the great trust one should have in the lord. This trust is yet another foundational aspect of pastoral care ministry.

a. Practice hospitality in new ways. We realize that phone calls or video chats with kids running around in the background are going to be part of reality.

Open up your home virtually, even to those you work with. As regulations allow for small group, 6-feet-apart gatherings, intentionally finding ways to invite others to your front yard.

b. Stay connected with mentors and close friends. They need you and you need them.

You know those people who give you life and create a chemistry of mutual encouragement. Pursue them more frequently. Love the leaders you lead and be transparent about weakness and uncertainty.

c. Partner with others without fear of comparison or loss. Engage and look for new friends and partners in ministry during this time.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel if a neighboring church is already doing a great job. Join in what they’re doing without fear of church hopping or looking weak.

d. Stay healthy. Get sleep, exercise, read for pleasure, cook, eat, listen to music; connect with our pastoral care ministry to process.

As the wise steward shrewdly invested his master’s wealth (Matthew 25:14-30) steward yourself for the sake of stewarding your ministry.