Pastoral Leadership in Times of Crisis
By Jeren Rowell
I was in my home study that Tuesday morning when the news broke. It
came up on my computer: “PLANE CRASHES INTO WORLD TRADE CENTER.”
My first thought was that a small aircraft somehow got off course or
the pilot had a problem and accidentally hit the tall building. I switched
on the TV and like many Americans, over the next hour I sat horrified
at the events that were unfolding before me.
As soon as I could pull myself away from the news, I rushed over to
the church office. The phones were lighting up. “Pastor, have you
heard the news? What does this mean? Is this the end of the world? I’m
afraid, what should I do?” Many of us fielded those kinds of questions
that day. A pastor friend of mine had the opportunity to lead someone
to the Lord who just wandered into the church from the street.
It quickly became evident to me just how unnerved people were. Families
started showing up at the church. They had their kids in tow that should
have been in school, but the fearful parents had retrieved them. Gas
stations in our area raised their price to nearly $5 a gallon by day’s
end. Our staff was asking, “What should we do as pastors to help
our people through this crisis?” We concluded that people had three
immediate needs. They needed comfort, clear thinking, and hope. The
question for us was, “How will we deliver those things to our people?”
As I have now reflected on our response and on the observed response
of other pastors and churches, I noticed some principles at work that
guided those who seemed to respond best.
1. In a time of crisis people expect their pastor to speak. Times of
community disorientation are times for the pastor to stand as a prophet
and declare, “Thus saith the Lord.” That’s what people
want to hear – a word from the Lord. They don’t need your
opinions and certainly not your personal political convictions. They
need the gospel. They need solid theological reflection firmly rooted
in the scriptures. This is no time for prophecy charts plastered across
the front of the sanctuary. It’s a time for the clear proclamation
of the gospel. A crisis like we experienced on September 11 is no time
to take cues from leaders whose vested interest is other than the kingdom
of God. Our job is to faithfully point people to the truth as revealed
in Jesus Christ. This is the real comfort for which the hearts of the
people long.
2. We need to remind the people of who we are as God’s beloved.
Who are we? That is the most important question in times of crisis.
Not, Is this the beginning of the end? Nor, Is this somehow connected
to the judgment of God? Instead ask the questions that really matter.
When the world is in turmoil, when chaos reigns, when life becomes threatened
and nations go to war – who are we? What does it mean to be authentically
Christian? What does it mean for our church to be an authentic expression
of the kingdom of God in a time like this?
3. Pastors should counter false teaching. There are two kinds of false
teaching that often emerge in times of national crisis that must be
confronted. One is that these tragedies are the direct judgment of God.
The truth is that the sin and evil of the world have already been judged
in the cross of Jesus Christ. Our theological tradition affirms the
freedom of persons. These heinous acts are the result of free moral
agents choosing evil instead of good.
The second false teaching is that America enjoys a special and closed
relationship with God. The truth is that the purposes of our country
are not equal to the purposes of God. They can share in God’s purposes
but the secular authority cannot do the work of the kingdom of God.
We have much more to offer than the American flag and all it stands
for, as wonderful as it is. We offer the banner of Jesus Christ who
is the Redeemer and Savior of the world.
4. Pastors must be a voice of hope in crisis. Perhaps the most important
role for pastors during times of crisis is that of proclaiming a word
of hope. This is our true work. We are at our very best when we focus
on Jesus, our Hope.
People ask lots of questions during these times. Some of their questions
evade good answers. Like, Why did God allow this to happen? The best
answer is found in the revelation of God’s character, given most
completely in the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ. The cross proves
God’s love for us. The empty tomb proves his ultimate power to
redeem.
As I tried to speak that word of hope to my people on the Sunday following
9-11, here is a portion of what I said to them:
“This amazing, resurrection power is at work in the world today.
Where was God this week? He has been in the fireman’s suit. He’s
been behind police badges. He’s been holding a scalpel and a syringe.
He is near the heart of all who in the face of this tragedy love their
neighbor and turn to God in repentance. He is near those who in the
ashes of these last few days have turned to him, not so much for answers,
but for life and peace. He is in our midst to help us, as a community
of faith, serve the bodies and souls of our neighbors as Jesus would
serve.
“And he is near to you. He is keeping you from evil. He is keeping
it from overtaking your heart and making you something other than a
child of God.
“And what about the future? I know about the future. In the future
…
The lion will lie down with the lamb.
The wicked will cease their troubling.
The weary will get their rest.
There will be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more hatred.”
When crisis comes, pastors must be willing and ready to move beyond
business as usual. We must step up to the moment and provide the kind
of spiritual leadership that will bring comfort, clear thinking, and
hope to our people. May the Lord grant you grace to be this kind of
pastoral leader.
Jeren Rowell is a pastor in Shawnee, Kansas and co-editor of Preacher’s
Magazine.
