Leading Through The Pandemic: Advice From The Prophet Jeremiah
by Doug Cushing
Whenever I feel the need for a fresh perspective on pastoral ministry, I turn to author Eugene Peterson. Peterson was a pastor for over 23 years and then a professor of pastoral theology. Peterson’s books are a rich collection of pastoral theology that have left a lasting impact on generations of pastors.
Over the past few months, as I have sought to navigate the congregation I serve through the uncharted landscape of the pandemic, I found myself returning to Peterson for advice and counsel. In this article, I want to share some perspectives on pastoral leadership in volatile times that I gleaned by re-reading Peterson’s book: Run With The Horses; which is a deep dive into the OT book of Jeremiah.1
Jeremiah was no stranger to the challenges, setbacks, discouragement, loneliness and even anger leaders experience while leading through volatile times. Jeremiah 15 offers timeless advice that informs our pastoral leadership during times of transition and volatility.
Jeremiah 15 reveals the prayer life of a leader during times of stressful leadership. Contrary to what we may assume, Jeremiah’s prayer reveals how the prophet was far from a resolute pillar of trust and inner strength. It’s helpful for leaders facing uncertain and volatile times to remember that the great prophet of God was overwhelmed with fear, loneliness, hurt and anger.
Challenge #1: Jeremiah felt attacked.
“You know where I am, God! Remember what I’m doing here! Take my side against my detractors. Don’t stand back while they ruin me. Just look at the abuse I’m taking!” (Jer. 15:15 – The Message)
Over the past year, most of us have had to make unpopular decisions. We’ve felt the wrath of those who oppose our decisions. Volatile times raise the anxiety in the room. Often that anxiety is directed toward leaders. In verse 15, Jeremiah struggled to accommodate his awareness of God’s unhurried, measured pace with the panicky fear that time was running out on him.2
Challenge #2: Jeremiah felt alone.
“When your words showed up, I ate them— swallowed them whole. What a feast! What delight I took in being yours, O God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies! I never joined the party crowd in their laughter and their fun. Led by you, I went off by myself.” (Jer. 15: 16-17 – The Message)
It can be lonely being a leader. It was for Jeremiah. Nobody seemed to understand him, his decisions or his God-given perspective. Yet, Jeremiah chose to remain faithful to God’s path – however unpopular it was. In volatile times, it’s easy to compromise; to relinquish our beliefs in order to keep the peace and remain popular with the congregation. Jeremiah reminds us staying true to our convictions can be lonely business.
Challenge #3: Jeremiah was hurt.
“But why, why this chronic pain, this ever-worsening wound and no healing in sight?” (Jer. 15:18 – The Message)
Jeremiah was hurt because he cared3. He cared about God’s people like a pastor cares for her or his congregation. Yet, he was misunderstood, falsely accused, abandoned and rejected. Those feelings are common to leaders during volatile times. They can leave deep emotional wounds that feel, to us, to be incurable. Leaders need to pay close attention to the battle scars incurred during stressful seasons of leadership.
Challenge #4: Jeremiah was angry.
“You’re nothing, God, but a mirage, a lovely oasis in the distance—and then nothing!” (Jer 15:18 – The Message)
Clergy and congregational leaders don’t like to admit their anger, especially when it is directed to those whom they love: Their congregation or their God. Jeremiah was angry with God, going so far as to blame God for getting the Prophet into the mess he faced. Yet, Jeremiah angry at God reminds us that sometimes our anger can be a measure of faith4.
God Responds To Jeremiah
When Jeremiah stopped speaking, he didn’t stop praying. Beginning in verse 19, Jeremiah listened to God and heard this life-giving response. “Take back those words, and I’ll take you back. Then you’ll stand tall before me. Use words truly and well. Don’t stoop to cheap whining. Then, but only then, you’ll speak for me. Let your words change them. Don’t change your words to suit them.”
Like many leaders during volatile times, Jeremiah was discouraged feeling he’d not accomplished a thing. Yet, God called Jeremiah to repent and to stiffen his resolve. In so doing, God re-established Jeremiah’s priorities. Eugene Peterson puts it this way:
“It’s as if God was asking: Who is in the first place here? God or the people? If it is God who is in first place, the complaints express only what is involved in a tough job. The job is either worth it or not. What do I really want to do with my life; love others or flatter them, please others or please God?”
Think back over the last year of your leadership. Have you, like Jeremiah felt attacked, alone, hurt or angry? I’ll bet you have. Eugene Peterson’s commentary on Jeremiah 15 provides four insights into leadership during volatile times:
Stay close to God in prayer – Jeremiah was not just a leader who prayed often. He also prayed honestly. Let your requests and your frustrations be known to the Lord. Prayer your emotions.
Listen for God’s words of renewal – God will likely stiffen your resolve asking you a question like: What do you really want to do with your life, please others or please God?
Resist being a victim – God asked Jeremiah: If God is in first place, the complaints express only what is involved in a tough job. God allowed Jeremiah to complain but God didn’t indulge Jeremiah’s complaints.
God will renew us – It was God who re-established Jeremiah’s priorities and renewed his call to prophetic ministry despite the volatility and challenge.
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1 See Eugene Peterson, Run With Horses, chapter 8: My Wound Incurable.
2 Peterson, Run With Horses, p 101.
3 Peterson, Run With Horses, p 102
4 Ibid.