5 Leadership Hacks To Get You Through This Crisis
Dr. Katurah Cooper fled with her five daughters from the Liberian civil war to reside in the United States as a refugee for eleven years. Since returning to Liberia in 2001, she served as an educator, human rights advocate, leadership coach, author and pastor.
Six years ago she found herself immersed in the Ebola Epidemic that claimed about 4,000 Liberian lives. During the crisis, fear was in ample supply. Confusion was everywhere. Entire families came down infected. Businesses laid-off workers, not a single child or adult was sitting in a classroom, and the country was in a State of Emergency.
Dr. Cooper was on the frontlines. A major part of her fight was striving to maintain a positive attitude even in the face of proof that conditions were worsening. She says, “That was the most difficult side of my pastoral work.”
Discover insights for the COVID-19 crisis from how she led herself in maintaining a positive, calm and result-oriented attitude during the crisis.
Dr. Cooper’s 5 Leadership Prescriptions For Pastors
1. Find Daily Antidotes for Fear
I posted many positive messages on social media, including news that would stimulate hope and restoration. I asked my congregation to avoid overdosing on negative news and rumours.
2. Keep Awareness High
I stayed informed. When members called me with questions, I was able to give answers and point them to credible sources. I organized a team with the task to assemble and share important updates to our members.
3. Preach “Crisis Sermons”
My members needed to see me exhibit courage in the face of this situation. I searched the Bible for scriptures on plagues, national disasters, hope and deliverance. I trusted the Holy Spirit to give me messages of hope.
4. Preserve the Church Community
People were asked to do social distancing. To minimize the negative impact of this behaviour, I organized an ongoing prayer initiative - conference prayer calls work. Check on the most vulnerable and most isolated. Connect with poor families and quarantined families, providing food and essentials.
5. Practice Self-Care
This is a very stressful situation. As a pastor, I had to deal with my personal fears, concerns for my family’s safety, the fiscal and spiritual health of my church, as well as the emotional care of my members. This was psychologically draining. Because I was spending more time at home, I increased my prayer and devotion time. In addition, I carved out more recreational time with my family, caught up on my reading and just did some fun things I never had the time for.
Pastor, stay positive and help your congregation survive and thrive.
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.