Pastors and church leaders are communicators. It is what we do. But, in a time when church buildings are closed, congregations can’t gather to worship our God, and many regular ministries are suspended, our communication multiplies in importance. If we don’t communicate frequently, clearly, and graciously, our congregations will flounder.
The enemy of our soul is a master tactician and he will take any point of weakness and do what he does best… steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). We need to speak the truth to our congregations in ways that will bring the hope, life, and peace of Jesus. As soon as it became clear that the normal channels of face-to-face communication we have with our congregation was going to be significantly disrupted, my team at Shoreline Church made some immediate shifts in communication.
Here are some of the ways we are communicating to serve our church well in this season. I have received over seventy emails from church members thanking me for caring for them and serving our church through keeping lines of communication open in this unsettling and uncertain time.
Because I know many pastors are tight on time and some find writing burdensome, I have placed all of our church communication on a simple and free website in a format that any church leader can take it, edit it to fit their church setting, and share it with their congregation. If you go to pastortopastor.church you will find all of our resources and a link to a generic version you can download, edit, and use immediately.
A Weekly Letter to the congregation, staff, and church board. Each of these groups needs to hear from you. Share God’s Word and hope. Let them know what’s happening in the life of the church. Ask them to pray for each other and for you as you lead. Give them ideas of how they can grow in faith and serve others in this strange time in our lives and history. I have been writing a letter to our congregation each week and then I shape much of the content into a letter that hits the needs of our staff and another to our board members.
A Financial Letter. This Covid-19 event has been a huge financial disruptor. For some it is a 100 Year storm that they did not see coming and they are in a desperate time. It is wise to let church members know that you are praying for them and ready to help and support them if they are facing financial uncertainty. Others are hanging in there financially and want to do something to help your church make it through this season. Let them know how your church is doing and share needs your congregation has at this time. Many of them will be honored to help by giving more in a time when some church members can’t give as they normally do. Invite your church members to be the church for each other and bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). This kind of letter is challenging, but the one I shared with our congregation (it is also on the pastor2pastor website) was greatly appreciated by our regular givers.
Video Devotions. For the last two weeks we have been doing video devotions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Nothing fancy. Just me in a chair reading a portion of a Psalm, sharing one or two thoughts, and a prayer. Not only have our church members loved these, they are actually sending them to friends who are in turn contacting the church and asking to be put on our regular Email list. One bonus is that after I share the devotion, I have someone else share a little about what’s coming up at our church over the next two weeks. We have a local doctor who gives a brief Friday update (Medical information for our county) after my devotion. There are also links to all of these videos on the pastor2pastor website.
There are many other ways to communicate, but these are some core ones that will help your congregation stay connected in a time that they really need it. All of our other communication materials are on the website and there for your review or use.
May God be with each of us as we seek to love and serve the church of Jesus through this storm. Remember, communication is life in a time of uncertainty. It helps us push back anxiety, the attacks of the enemy, and the fears that might capture the hearts of God’s people. Speak truth, in fresh new ways, and your communication will be a blessing and life to the people of Jesus!
by Kevin G. Harney
Lead Pastor, Shoreline Church, Monterey CA
Note: These resources are shared with permission. Generic versions of the letters mentioned above are shared below. Visit pastortopastor.church for more resources and updated resources.