There is no pastor living today who has pastored in a pandemic. These are difficult times we live in, and it’s even more difficult to do ministry, and if you’ve been like me, you’ve lost sleep, you’ve wondered how this is going to turn out, you’re worried for your people, and you’re trying to figure out how in the world to pastor in a pandemic. I’d like to offer you 5 tips when pastoring in a pandemic that have recently helped me.

1. Don’t neglect the Word.

We should already be spending time in the Word as we daily grow and study, not just for sermon prep, but for our own soul. However, days like this should drive us further into God’s Word, drawing us closer to God as the Spirit leads us as we lead our people.

Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. | James 4:8

2. Don’t neglect Prayer

As we are struggling with our people, we must remember what James tells us as we are encountering trials. He tells us to ask God for wisdom. Pastors, we need wisdom now more than ever as we wade into these new waters of ministry.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. | James 1:5

3. Don’t neglect Rest

Pastors, this feels like a season where we should be in overdrive. It’s not. We are struggling just like everyone else. Yes, we must be intentional on how to keep our people connected in a time of isolation, but we should remember that we still need a day off, that we still need to disconnect and shut off when it’s time for family. Make sure you are resting.

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. | Psalm 127:2

4. Don’t neglect Family

This goes along with rest. Make sure your drive to do ministry doesn’t take time away from your family. It can be so easy to get so distracted with ministry that we neglect our families, not only in general, but especially in times of crisis. Your family needs you, now, even more so than your church does.

For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? | 1 Timothy 3:5

5. Don’t neglect Preaching

Pastor, within this season of life, your people need the gospel more than ever. We must remember our charge to preach the gospel, and this includes preaching to our people, to the lost, and to ourselves. We are called to provide hope to a lost and dying world. We are called to provide encouragement to our people. And we can only do that by preaching the gospel.

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. | 2 Timothy 4:2

Pastors, these are different times we are living in. But remember, this is the work of ministry. This is what we are called to. Rest in the strength that God provides through Jesus Christ as you continue to minister to your people. We are inadequate, but Christ is sufficient.

Soli Deo Gloria