How should Christian leaders respond to a pandemic?

What is the church's role during the global coronavirus outbreak? New offerings and resources from the Faith & Leadership archives can help in these difficult times.

COVID-19
Practices
Self-care
Theology and medicine
Leadership in a crisis

Image link to article: An octogenarian ponders the post-pandemic church

An octogenarian ponders the post-pandemic church

By William G. Enright Founding director emeritus, Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Image link to article: Naming the beast, shifting power, taking a breath

Naming the beast, shifting power, taking a breath

Elizabeth Felicetti Melissa Perrin

Image link to article: What are we rebuilding and why?

What are we rebuilding and why?

By David L. Odom Executive director, Forum for Congregational Life

Image link to article: Peer groups for pastors can create a healthy ecosystem of support

Peer groups for pastors can create a healthy ecosystem of support

By Ruth Perkins Lee Director of fellowship gatherings at CBF

Image link to article: Suggestions for congregations entering the next phase of COVID-19

Suggestions for congregations entering the next phase of COVID-19

By Jessica Young Brown Licensed clinical psychologist

Image link to article: This Ash Wednesday, mourning scours our hearts

This Ash Wednesday, mourning scours our hearts

By Timothy Adkins-Jones Pastor and assistant professor

Image link to article: What if we are all burned out?

What if we are all burned out?

By David L. Odom Executive director, Forum for Congregational Life

Image link to article: How to plan for the post-pandemic future of church buildings

How to plan for the post-pandemic future of church buildings

Chris Elisara Rick Reinhard

Image link to article: Creativity and trust are hallmarks of a robust effort by churches and their partners to provide vaccinations in communities of color

Creativity and trust are hallmarks of a robust effort by churches and their partners to provide vaccinations in communities of color

By Genine Babakian Journalist

Image link to article: Our climate practices must change post-pandemic

Our climate practices must change post-pandemic

By Grace Ji-Sun Kim Professor, Earlham School of Religion

Image link to article: A campus ministry thrives in the pandemic by appealing to young people and planting house churches

A campus ministry thrives in the pandemic by appealing to young people and planting house churches

By Edie Gross Journalist

Image link to article: How to navigate the chaos of returning to in-person church

How to navigate the chaos of returning to in-person church

By A. Trevor Sutton Pastor and writer

Image link to article: Greeting our return when the old is gone and the new is here

Greeting our return when the old is gone and the new is here

By Nathan Kirkpatrick Principal, Saison Consulting, LLC

Image link to article: What can the church learn from the pandemic about engaging with technology?

What can the church learn from the pandemic about engaging with technology?

By Heidi A. Campbell Professor, Texas A&M University

Image link to article: Going it alone may mean you won't get as far

Going it alone may mean you won't get as far

By Emily Lund Senior Director of Communications, Forum for Congregational Life

Image link to article: We are physical beings -- what if our ministries reflected that?

We are physical beings -- what if our ministries reflected that?

By Matt Overton Associate pastor, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, Washington

Image link to article: A congregation helps homeless people during the pandemic by offering refuge and support

A congregation helps homeless people during the pandemic by offering refuge and support

By Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn Journalist

Image link to article: Getting creative about teaching and ministry during a pandemic

Getting creative about teaching and ministry during a pandemic

By Grace Ji-Sun Kim Professor, Earlham School of Religion

Image link to article: Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes: What is possible? Out of a season of hardship and into a season of hope

Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes: What is possible? Out of a season of hardship and into a season of hope

By Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes Pastor, author and educator

Image link to article: Churches in predominantly Black communities can play a key role in vaccinating against COVID-19

Churches in predominantly Black communities can play a key role in vaccinating against COVID-19

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Journalist and UCC minister

Image link to article: How poetry can help kids -- and all of us -- practice lament

How poetry can help kids -- and all of us -- practice lament

By Amy Peterson Writer

Image link to article: Churches can help stop the spread of the coronavirus by offering free COVID-19 testing

Churches can help stop the spread of the coronavirus by offering free COVID-19 testing

By Genine Babakian Journalist

Image link to article: Resources for Christian leaders during the coronavirus pandemic

Resources for Christian leaders during the coronavirus pandemic

Image link to article: Who cares for the shepherds? The secondary trauma of faith leaders must be addressed

Who cares for the shepherds? The secondary trauma of faith leaders must be addressed

By Jessica Young Brown Licensed clinical psychologist

Image link to article: Leanna K. Fuller: What's a church to do? Dealing with conflict during a pandemic

Leanna K. Fuller: What's a church to do? Dealing with conflict during a pandemic

By Leanna K. Fuller Associate professor, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Image link to article: Money, mission and meeting in person -- a new study looks at COVID-19's effect on churches

Money, mission and meeting in person -- a new study looks at COVID-19's effect on churches

By Edie Gross Journalist

Image link to article: Mycal X. Brickhouse: COVID-19 should remind us that life is holy, not disposable

Mycal X. Brickhouse: COVID-19 should remind us that life is holy, not disposable

By Mycal X. Brickhouse Director, Fuller FORWARD, Fuller Seminary

Image link to article: Kate Foster Connors: Grieving the loss that makes way for something new

Kate Foster Connors: Grieving the loss that makes way for something new

By Kate Foster Connors Executive director, The Center: Mission Outside the Box

Image link to article: Facing wicked problems in anxious times

Facing wicked problems in anxious times

By Victoria Atkinson White Vice President for Grants and Programs, Church Benefits Association

Image link to article: The fear God gives us

The fear God gives us

By Chanequa Walker-Barnes Professor of practical theology and pastoral counseling, Columbia Theological Seminary

Image link to article: How to host online meetings with Christian hospitality

How to host online meetings with Christian hospitality

By Gretchen E. Ziegenhals Spiritual director and retreat leader

Image link to article: Frank Yamada: Theological schools are diverse, and the pandemic will affect them differently

Frank Yamada: Theological schools are diverse, and the pandemic will affect them differently

Image link to article: Taking a lesson from the seed -- find joy

Taking a lesson from the seed -- find joy

By Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes Pastor, author and educator

Image link to article: Shannon Hopkins: How to lead when things are falling apart

Shannon Hopkins: How to lead when things are falling apart

By Shannon Hopkins Co-founder & lead cultivator, RootedGood

Image link to article: The pastoral challenge of a Brooklyn church and COVID-19

The pastoral challenge of a Brooklyn church and COVID-19

By Gary V. Simpson Leading Pastor, Concord Baptist Church of Christ

Image link to article: Ken Carter: How a scriptural imagination can help Christians face fear

Ken Carter: How a scriptural imagination can help Christians face fear

By Kenneth H. Carter Jr. Bishop, UMC Western North Carolina Conference

Image link to article: A commitment to personal rituals can sustain clergy, even during a pandemic

A commitment to personal rituals can sustain clergy, even during a pandemic

By Matt Bloom Professor, Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame

Image link to article: Parenting in the midst of protests and a pandemic is a difficult opportunity

Parenting in the midst of protests and a pandemic is a difficult opportunity

By Angie Kay Hong Director of Capacity Building Support, Forum for Congregational Life

Image link to article: Pandemics have a lot to teach us about those who lead us

Pandemics have a lot to teach us about those who lead us

By Adam Russell Taylor President, Sojourners

Image link to article: Dave Odom: What does financial sustainability mean in the midst of inequity?

Dave Odom: What does financial sustainability mean in the midst of inequity?

By David L. Odom Executive director, Forum for Congregational Life

Image link to article: What will summer be like without the usual VBS, camps and youth mission trips?

What will summer be like without the usual VBS, camps and youth mission trips?

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Journalist and UCC minister

Image link to article: Developing congregational reengagement strategies

Developing congregational reengagement strategies

By Nathan Kirkpatrick Principal, Saison Consulting, LLC

Image link to article: What can we do to seek healing in the way of Jesus?

What can we do to seek healing in the way of Jesus?

By Warren Kinghorn Psychiatrist and co-director of the Theology, Medicine & Culture Initiative

Image link to article: William H. Lamar IV: It's not just the coronavirus -- bad theology is killing us

William H. Lamar IV: It's not just the coronavirus -- bad theology is killing us

By William H. Lamar IV Pastor, Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church

Image link to article: Considering a pandemic through Pentecost

Considering a pandemic through Pentecost

By Alaina Kleinbeck Executive Director of Grants and Services, Forum for Congregational Life

Image link to article: Learning to listen in a time of heartache

Learning to listen in a time of heartache

By Ylisse C. Bess Interfaith chaplain, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Image link to article: A. Trevor Sutton: Small steps can help improve your ministry's online presence

A. Trevor Sutton: Small steps can help improve your ministry's online presence

By A. Trevor Sutton Pastor and writer

Image link to article: A campus ministry opens a pay-as-you-can deli just as the pandemic hits

A campus ministry opens a pay-as-you-can deli just as the pandemic hits

By Elizabeth Le’anani Coffee Managing director, Lake Institute on Faith and Giving

Image link to article: Jessica Young Brown: Ministers cannot thrive if they neglect themselves

Jessica Young Brown: Ministers cannot thrive if they neglect themselves

By Jessica Young Brown Licensed clinical psychologist

Image link to article: Poems to pray in a pandemic

Poems to pray in a pandemic

By Carolina Hinojosa-Cisneros Writer

Image link to article: When we need holy friendships most

When we need holy friendships most

By Victoria Atkinson White Vice President for Grants and Programs, Church Benefits Association

Image link to article: The gifts of the small church in a pandemic

The gifts of the small church in a pandemic

By Allen T. Stanton UMC pastor

Image link to article: Will the church financially survive the COVID-19 pandemic?

Will the church financially survive the COVID-19 pandemic?

By Ken Garfield Journalist

Image link to article: David Emmanuel Goatley: Offering hope and help

David Emmanuel Goatley: Offering hope and help

By David Emmanuel Goatley President, Fuller Theological Seminary

Image link to article: How to think about what's next when the future is unclear

How to think about what's next when the future is unclear

By Nathan Kirkpatrick Principal, Saison Consulting, LLC

Image link to article: Do you need full-time clergy to be a vital congregation?

Do you need full-time clergy to be a vital congregation?

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald Journalist and UCC minister

Image link to article: Allison Backous Troy: Cultivating hope in love despite fear

Allison Backous Troy: Cultivating hope in love despite fear

By Allison Backous Troy Writer and educator

Image link to article: Easter at the altar of my kitchen table

Easter at the altar of my kitchen table

By Aleta Payne Senior editor, Faith & Leadership

Image link to article: Social distancing as a spiritual practice

Social distancing as a spiritual practice

By Olivia Paschal Writer

Image link to article: L. Roger Owens: How can we honor sacred time apart from our sacred spaces?

L. Roger Owens: How can we honor sacred time apart from our sacred spaces?

By L. Roger Owens Hugh Thomson Kerr Professor of Pastoral Theology, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Image link to article: Nathan Kirkpatrick: Our rituals will change this year

Nathan Kirkpatrick: Our rituals will change this year

By Nathan Kirkpatrick Principal, Saison Consulting, LLC

Image link to article: Paul A. Baxley: Easter is not canceled if we do not gather

Paul A. Baxley: Easter is not canceled if we do not gather

By Paul A. Baxley Executive coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

Image link to article: Melissa Florer-Bixler: Resisting busyness in the time of COVID-19

Melissa Florer-Bixler: Resisting busyness in the time of COVID-19

By Melissa Florer-Bixler Writer and doctoral student

Image link to article: Kara K. Root: The 20-second gift of washing your hands

Kara K. Root: The 20-second gift of washing your hands

By Kara K. Root Pastor, Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church

Image link to article: A. Trevor Sutton: Meeting with your church online is vital for serving your congregation's needs

A. Trevor Sutton: Meeting with your church online is vital for serving your congregation's needs

By A. Trevor Sutton Pastor and writer

Image link to article: George Mason and Mark Wingfield: How to lead calmly in a global outbreak

George Mason and Mark Wingfield: How to lead calmly in a global outbreak

George Mason Mark Wingfield

Image link to article: Let's re-envision "normal"

Let's re-envision "normal"

By Alex Shea Will Associate Pastor, South Church

Image link to article: Deanna Thompson: I thought digital presence was a poor substitute for embodied presence. Then I got cancer.

Deanna Thompson: I thought digital presence was a poor substitute for embodied presence. Then I got cancer.

By Deanna Thompson Retired professor of religion

Image link to article: Washing hands and prayer

Washing hands and prayer

By Jason Byassee Senior minister, Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, Toronto

Image link to article: The church as petri dish

The church as petri dish

By Daniel Sack Program officer, National Endowment for the Humanities

Image link to article: Dominique D. Gilliard: Reclaiming the power of lament

Dominique D. Gilliard: Reclaiming the power of lament

By Dominique D. Gilliard Director of racial righteousness and reconciliation, Evangelical Christian Church

Image link to article: Kyle Matthew Oliver: You already have everything you need to be a digital media minister

Kyle Matthew Oliver: You already have everything you need to be a digital media minister

By Kyle Matthew Oliver Episcopal priest

Image link to article: Chanequa Walker-Barnes: The purpose of rest is to enable us to work more, right?

Chanequa Walker-Barnes: The purpose of rest is to enable us to work more, right?

By Chanequa Walker-Barnes Professor of practical theology and pastoral counseling, Columbia Theological Seminary

Image link to article: Those who flourish in ministry are intentional about their well-being

Those who flourish in ministry are intentional about their well-being

By Kate Rugani Writer

Image link to article: Sue DiMaggio: Push too hard and the flame goes out

Sue DiMaggio: Push too hard and the flame goes out

By Sue DiMaggio Writer

Image link to article: Mike Cope: Contemplation, relationships, emotional maturity and self-care are key to pastoral thriving

Mike Cope: Contemplation, relationships, emotional maturity and self-care are key to pastoral thriving

By Mike Cope Director of ministry outreach, Pepperdine University

Image link to article: Allison Backous Troy: Praying the Jesus Prayer showed me Christ

Allison Backous Troy: Praying the Jesus Prayer showed me Christ

By Allison Backous Troy Writer and educator

Image link to article: Andrea Palpant Dilley: Slacking off and the call to Sabbath

Andrea Palpant Dilley: Slacking off and the call to Sabbath

By Andrea Palpant Dilley Writer

Image link to article: Kate Bowler: Not all pain has to be explained

Kate Bowler: Not all pain has to be explained

Image link to article: Grace amid suffering

Grace amid suffering

By Raymond Barfield Professor of pediatrics and Christian philosophy, Duke Divinity School

Image link to article: Warren Kinghorn: Asking broader questions of medicine

Warren Kinghorn: Asking broader questions of medicine

Image link to article: A church invests in mental health in response to parishioners' suffering

A church invests in mental health in response to parishioners' suffering

By Ken Garfield Journalist

Image link to article: Deanna Thompson: From its earliest incarnations, the body of Christ has been a virtual body

Deanna Thompson: From its earliest incarnations, the body of Christ has been a virtual body

By Deanna Thompson Retired professor of religion

Image link to article: Seizing the moment

Seizing the moment

By Richard Newman Associate professor, Rochester Institute of Technology

Image link to article: Vashti McKenzie: This is not the day we’re going to die

Vashti McKenzie: This is not the day we’re going to die

Image link to article: Michael B. Brown: Raging winds and rising waters

Michael B. Brown: Raging winds and rising waters

By Michael B. Brown Senior minister, Marble Collegiate Church