Mark Hurst has been conducting most of his work via virtual gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo provided.

By Mark Hurst
Monday, November 1, 2021

​Mary, my spouse, and I were asked to lead a two-day online retreat for pastors in the middle of the COVID-19 outbreak, with the theme, "Pastoring In A Pandemic." Churches were experiencing lockdown conditions, and pastors were finding their way as leaders of congregations that were struggling with the changes.  

We began the retreat by saying that we are all living in a time of chaos and raised questions, such as: How do we do church during such a time? And for leaders, how do we lead? Major change is under way and all pastors are now "Transitional Ministers," whether they like it or not. 

A key part of the retreat was when pastors shared their experiences, while in breakout rooms during each session. There were the expected complaints about the extra stress they were experiencing, but a surprise came from one older pastor.  

He said that, before the pandemic, he was ready to give up. The way church was "being done" wasn't working for him any longer, and he was thinking of retiring early. But now that his church was forced out of its old routines, there was new life in the congregation. They were getting out of their building and doing things in the community. As a pastor, he felt renewed and challenged to lead in a new way. He and his church were experiencing transformation.  

 

 

 Related articles

 

 

“Action expresses priorities.”Called to peacemakinghttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/5013/Action-expresses-priorities“Action expresses priorities.”GP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Looking up, looking around, looking forwardBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4616/Looking-up-looking-around-looking-forward---Looking up, looking around, looking forwardGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 1: Broadening horizons at 71Beyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4617/Story-1-Broadening-horizons-at-71Story 1: Broadening horizons at 71GP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Transforming into vulnerabilityBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4615/Transforming-into-vulnerabilityTransforming into vulnerabilityGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 2: Building trust in shaky timesBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4618/Story-2-Building-trust-in-shaky-timesStory 2: Building trust in shaky timesGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 3: Transforming Down UnderBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4619/Story-3-Transforming-Down-UnderStory 3: Transforming Down UnderGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 4: Missiology shaped by servanthoodBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4620/Story-4-Missiology-shaped-by-servanthoodStory 4: Missiology shaped by servanthoodGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 5: All invited to the Lamb’s throneBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4621/Story-5-All-invited-to-the-Lambs-throneStory 5: All invited to the Lamb’s throneGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 6: Pandemic forges transforming missionBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4622/Story-6-Pandemic-forges-transforming-missionStory 6: Pandemic forges transforming missionGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
A tale of two worlds and one God of abundant hopeBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4353/A-tale-of-two-worlds-and-one-God-of-abundant-hopeA tale of two worlds and one God of abundant hopeGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Walking togetherBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4352/Walking-togetherWalking togetherGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 1: Distributing care packages; reformatting ministriesBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4354/Distributing-care-packages-reformatting-ministriesStory 1: Distributing care packages; reformatting ministriesGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 2: Providing an emotional-spiritual “vaccine” for isolationBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4355/Providing-an-emotional-spiritual-vaccine-for-isolationStory 2: Providing an emotional-spiritual “vaccine” for isolationGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 3: Praying and caring for supportersBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4356/Praying-and-caring-for-supportersStory 3: Praying and caring for supportersGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476
Story 4: Persevering in Christian Service programsBeyondhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4357/Persevering-in-Christian-Service-programsStory 4: Persevering in Christian Service programsGP0|#d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d;L0|#0d4ddb667-54c6-44ad-ab43-030a2af6522d|Beyond;GTSet|#544fcc8d-5de2-49c8-9d51-afee09323476

 

 

https://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4619/Story-3-Transforming-Down-Under

Mark and Mary Hurst served as Mission Network associates for 19 years, as resource people and pastors with the Anabaptist Association of Australia and New Zealand. 

 Related

 

 

“Action expresses priorities.”https://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/5013/Action-expresses-priorities“Action expresses priorities.”
Looking up, looking around, looking forwardhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4616/Looking-up-looking-around-looking-forward---Looking up, looking around, looking forward
Story 1: Broadening horizons at 71https://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4617/Story-1-Broadening-horizons-at-71Story 1: Broadening horizons at 71
Transforming into vulnerabilityhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4615/Transforming-into-vulnerabilityTransforming into vulnerability
Story 2: Building trust in shaky timeshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4618/Story-2-Building-trust-in-shaky-timesStory 2: Building trust in shaky times
Story 3: Transforming Down Underhttps://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/4619/Story-3-Transforming-Down-UnderStory 3: Transforming Down Under



 

 

“Action expresses priorities.”https://www.mennonitemission.net/beyond/5013/Action-expresses-priorities“Action expresses priorities.”Called to peacemaking
Take your career for a test-drive with MVS!https://www.mennonitemission.net/video/4982/Take-your-career-for-a-test-drive-with-MVSTake your career for a test-drive with MVS!MVS Minute
Teachers become students in Indiahttps://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5001/Teachers-become-students-in-IndiaTeachers become students in IndiaTheological Education
A Congolese pastor overcomes fear of preaching in remote communitieshttps://www.mennonitemission.net/blog/5012/A-Congolese-pastor-overcomes-fear-of-preaching-in-remote-communitiesA Congolese pastor overcomes fear of preaching in remote communitiesGod's grace
Rethinking "Thanksgiving"https://www.mennonitemission.net/news/5009/Rethinking-ThanksgivingRethinking "Thanksgiving"Thanksgiving Day
Your support makes service opportunities happen!https://www.mennonitemission.net/video/5010/Your-support-makes-service-opportunities-happenYour support makes service opportunities happen!WATCH