“What do you need to return to?”
I ask every pastor I meet with for coaching this question at some point. When someone is busy, tired or responding to a crisis, it is only natural that they would tend to forget things along the way. Looking back on the season they have just gone through, some pastors are surprised at what they want and need to return to. Here are three responses to my question that continue to rise to the top.
Return to Clarity
The complexity of the last two years has brought about both a massive need and a vital opportunity to lead with clarity. But because life and leadership have been foggy for a lot of us, it is important for pastors to slow down and clarify their challenges, obstacles and opportunities.
One pastor I know gained a new perspective on how hard his local community was ravaged by the political division and different opinions on how to handle the crisis. He chose to push some plans and goals aside for next year to focus on caring for his congregation and staff in new ways.
Another pastor I coach is deeply evangelistic. He found clarity around his need to focus on digital ministry in order to continue reaching people who can’t or won’t walk into the church’s physical space.
Returning to clarity has an added benefit: When clarity goes up, overwhelm goes down.
Return to Healthy Rhythms
It’s no secret that the pandemic wreaked havoc on the rhythms of our lives. Wise leaders are responding by reshaping their personal and organizational rhythms for the health of all. For example, one pastor got ahead of any questions regarding staff coming back to the office during the week and created a rhythm for mandatory days together at the church and days when staffers are on their own for deep work.
On a personal level, some church leaders finally are going on postponed sabbaticals, and even building that time off into a sustained rhythm every five years.
In addition to helping create a healthy lifestyle, developing new rhythms can harness when busy seasons like Thanksgiving to Christmas arrive.
Return to Friends
A lot of folks—including church leaders—feel lonely and isolated after the fracturing and exhaustion of the last two years. It’s time to exit survival mode and enter a season of reconnection with friends, families, neighbors and staff teams. We all need people in our lives who don’t have to be around us but who want to be with us.
A pastor I coach realized he needs to talk with other pastors to share the challenges he is facing and brainstorm solutions, so he is creating a list of pastors he will get together with locally. Other pastors are utilizing getaways where they can meet pastors from across the country and develop supportive relationships.
So, take a few minutes right now to think about what you have neglected. What do you need to return to going forward?
Alan Briggs, an Outreach magazine contributing editor, helps leaders avoid burnout, get healthy and reach more impact. He coaches leaders, consults with teams, curates leadership experiences and creates life-altering content alongside his team at Stay Forth Designs. He also co-hosts Right Side up Leadership Podcast. He has been a pastor, church planting catalyst, author and entrepreneur.