During This Pandemic, Choose to be Grateful for Elders
Does anyone else remember when “all this” (as people keep saying in the South) was only supposed to last about 2-3 weeks so we could “flatten the curve?” That was in late March!
Frustration is building in so many places, and, in most cases, for good reason. From politics to jobs to sports to school and beyond, decisions have had to be made, changed, updated, and cancelled. It is frustrating to know what we are to do or not do, almost on a daily basis.
But in the midst of all this, leaders of churches–elders in the Lord’s Church–have had to do things they never dreamed they would have to do, and it’s time we made sure we were being grateful.
Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. Do you think, just 5 or 6 months ago, that they ever dreamed they would…
- Have meetings about where to have hand sanitizer in the building?
- Be deciding not to have in-person worship or even “gently nudging” some members to stay away from worship?
- Spend time charting case numbers in their state and county?
- Wonder what they were going to do if a member hated wearing (or not wearing) a mask to worship?
And, as you know, the list goes on and on and on.
Can you imagine for a moment? Can you just think of how these men–who love souls and want to shepherd souls–must be frustrated with all this? The seemingly endless decisions. The changing state and local policies. The explosion of social media back-and-forth (even among their own members).
Today, I’m asking all of us to be grateful for our members. [Note: I am not writing this because I’ve heard of great anger toward our elders at Central. Our church family has been wonderful! But I have heard of some other pushback in places, and am begging for it to stop.]
The longer this goes, the easier it will be for frustration to build. Such is natural and to be expected. But, with more frustration, it becomes easier to lash out at those who do not deserve it. Your elders are doing the best they can to, as one of our elders recently put it, hit a constantly moving target. They are praying (all the time). They are communicating with each other. They are researching. They are…frustrated just like you are!
But they are leading, and they deserve a thank you.
Please do not use this time to be negatively critical. You may disagree with something and that’s fine, but, if you must express it, do so lovingly and not negatively. Realize that a mask (or no mask) policy or to have one or two or three services or how well-written an email to the congregation is is no reason to blow up. It’s no reason to think they don’t love you or are not doing their best. It’s no reason to think you “have” to tell them what some other church is doing that you think is better. It’s no reason to not attend–in person or online–or even to change your membership with no explanation whatsoever.
Six months ago, your elders were shepherds and you loved and trusted them. Today, they are still those same men, just with a level of responsibility added to their plate they never asked for and didn’t deserve to have. Still love and trust them. Pray for them. Express your thanks–not your criticism–to them.
To elders all over the world, thank you. You’re doing great, even though your decisions are not uniform around the world (nor should they be).
And to three very special men in Paducah, Kentucky who have led over 200 people beautifully through all this–as they were doing before it hit–thank you. My soul is safe with God because of you, and my family is given every opportunity to worship him safely because of you. Thank you.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
