Q&A with Todd Wagner

Episode Summary

Introduction

This episode was recorded LIVE on the new Church Leadership Podcast Liveshow, a part of Watermark TV. 

Show Notes

On this episode of CLP Live, Adam, John, and Todd answer live questions about church leadership, finances, and devoting daily. During times of crisis like this, church leaders have the potential to get discouraged or lose hope. We should find comfort and strength in the reality that the Lord is still very much at work. Crisis, pandemic, joblessness, and COVID-19, are all opportunities for the church to start actually being the church. It is an opportunity to love your neighbors and communities.

One of the first things we tasked our staff to do was simply check in with every member. We wanted every member of Watermark to receive a phone call. Our staff then asked how they could be of service, how their community group was responding to COVID-19, and if they had any immediate needs. These calls were as encouraging for the staff as they were for our members. This is a way to tangibly remind people that they are a part of a family, not simply someone who casually attends services.

In regard to financial decisions Watermark is making, we prayerfully strive that all of our members would not want for food, water, clothing, or housing. The primary means we fulfill this is through membership and community. If individuals or families find themselves out of work, in need of money, or sick, their primary line of support comes through their community groups. Dozens of pastoral moments occur on the community group level far before it ever even reaches the ears of a staff member. For a more detailed overview of our process to help those in financial need, note this blog post on our Charis process.

Leaders, now is also the time to be realistically assessing your own role. Remember that you are not anyone's savior, and can only comfort others to the degree you have been comforted. Take time to rest, recharge, and spend time devoting daily to the Lord.