What’s Working For Me Right Now - Part 2

In this series we acknowledge that "disasters do not wait until we are fully prepared", that many leaders are learning as they go, and we extend our hope that though sharing perspectives you may find some easier ways to create a new rhythm at this time. Read What’s Working For Me Right Now - Part 1 here.

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When I was younger in ministry, many years ago now, I remember talking to another pastor who had just returned from a sabbatical. I had never had a sabbatical so I was curious to hear what he learned. Without hesitating, he said, “I found out what kind of a Christian I was outside of my identity as a pastor.”

Those words were a game-changer for me in how I assessed my own identity. I am a professional Bible studier, prayer, leader, teacher, shepherd and a whole lot more but without the role of pastor who would I be as a person, a child of God?
The role of a pastor is to shepherd, guide and be with one’s people, in the same physical space. What happens when that is taken away? In the middle of this unprecedented pandemic, we are finding out. 

California was the first state to adopt “shelter-in-home” standards. When the order was given my home became my “permanent” office. Previously, working from home, was a nice little change in the weekly routine. Now, it is the routine. 

Presently I feel I am asking the question again, but for a very different reason, “Without the role of pastor, with one’s people, who would I be?”

​To get at this I want to share a shortlist of what is working for me, at the moment (Check back with me in a few days or weeks!):

1. Quiet – My wife and I are “empty-nesters” so our three-bedroom condo is quiet. We have both taken one of the other bedrooms and set up our offices. Nobody is coming by the office to visit, the phone rings very little, and there are no spontaneous office meetings to attend. While I miss those dynamics, to some degree, focusing on the project at hand does come more easily.
   
   
2. Rest – It has been proven that consistent sleep patterns and strategic rest provide a solid foundation for a range of both physical and emotional health with many studies showing that sleep is an integral part of sustaining  “vital functions such as neural development, learning, memory, emotional, cardiovascular, and metabolic regulation, and cellular toxin removal” (Muhkerjee et al., 2015, p. 1451). In the midst of a lurking pandemic, I want to be the strongest I can be for the good of me and the good others. therefore I am heeding the advice of others in the trauma response field to keep a regular sleep schedule. Even though there is now not a time I have to physically leave the house or off-site appointments to attend, I go to bed at the same time, I get up at the same time. Not packing my day with office work at the church, on-site and off-site appointments and meetings offers me a more restful and healthier environment.
   
   
3. Boundaries – One of the liabilities of working at home, being your own “boss,” and having an empty nest is the high risk of blurring the lines of work and rest. Many home workers report they often work more, not less, when home. I have found it important to start my work and end my work at consistent times with the exception of the occasional evening meetings or after-work appointments with others.
   
   
4. Finding new ways to connect – In this season people have been great about asking the question, “How are you?” I first tell them I am physically well followed by “though I do feel like I am very much re-inventing myself right now.” When the “shelter-at-home” directive came my mind went into overdrive on how to stay in touch with the children, youth and families I so consistently see, hug and high five. I began making a list of all the ways I can still connect including talking voice-to-voice on a phone, a mode previously lost in the pile of other new and edgy ways. Getting feedback on ways that work or don’t work has been a little challenging. Affirming connections I was already using, and adding more, has allowed for further touch in people’s lives. I am uncovering the “connection” language of our people! These new ideas will last well beyond the pandemic.
    
   
5. Pastoral Care – Though socially distant from the people I shepherd I don’t have to be relationally distant. Through all the circumstances of life what has, what can and what will work is pastoral care in the lives of God’s creation. This always works even if nothing else does. As we strive to be faithful in our pastoral care, we find reward and affirmation in knowing we have done the most important thing. I heard a quote from a seasoned pastor, when asked what he felt was most important in the pastoral role. He said, “Preach the word, love the people and the rest give to energetic volunteers.” Loving our people is what works for me.
   
   
6. Taking care of my relationship with God – This is last on the list but should never be last on our list of what works for us in ministry. Previous to this time of trauma I scratched and clawed for time to read the Bible for myself and pray. I was consistently irregular. These uncertain days have pushed me back to the scripture and time with God where I find my center and my peace. Interestingly, research has found that one protective measure that can be taken against trauma is to create “positive consequences of negative life events” in order to give meaning to what you are experiencing (Updegraff, Silver, & Holman, 2008, p.719). I believe one of the positives I’ve found during this time has been the opportunity to recenter my time with God. To weather this pandemic and the coming effects of trauma on me and the people I serve it is essential I take time for scripture, prayer, meditation and quiet with God.

In the midst of all the turbulence and unprecedented circumstances may you find what works for you. May it bring you strength, wisdom and peace to walk forward as you care for yourself, your family and your people.  

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Further Reading:

​On Sleep: Mukherjee, S., Patel, S. R., Kales, S. N., Ayas, N. T., Strohl, K. P., Gozal, D., & Malhotra, A. (2015). American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 191(12), 1450–1458. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201504-0767st https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.1164/rccm.201504-0767ST

On Positive Consequences: Updegraff, J. (2008). Searching for and finding meaning in collective trauma: results from a national longitudinal study of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(3), 709–722.

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Rev. Ranck is Associate Pastor of Youth, Children and Families at Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara, CA. With three decades of youth ministry experience, he serves as a consultant, trainer and speaker with Ministry Architects, the Southern California Conference, and, nationally, with the Free Methodist Church. He has written numerous articles for youth ministry magazines and websites, and published the Creative Bible Lessons Series: Job (Zondervan, 2008). Doug is happily married to Nancy, proud father of Kelly, Landon and Elise, and never gets tired of looking at the Pacific ocean every day.