How do you pastor in a time of crisis?

It’s January 2026, and we’re located in Minnesota. In the past week(s), people have been struggling. Parishioners are not entirely on the same page–like every place, people vote red and blue (and sometimes green, or not at all). But a lot of people are angry, frightened, unsure what to do, uncertain who to trust, and unclear how this will end.

And if you are out of this context–crises of all stripes tend to uncover anger, fear, uncertainty. If you are in church leadership, you will be in a crisis at some point.

Few people are experts in these scenarios. Plus, you may be feeling all the emotions yourself. 

A few thoughts.

1) Jurgen Moltmann, author of A Theology of Hope, once said you can present the gospel to anyone at anytime by taking something they care about and shining God’s light on it. I leave to you how to do this, and it may depend on your congregation, even each person. But if all else fails, proclaim the gospel: God created the world good, we sinned and fell and live in brokenness, and Jesus came into our lives to save us. He was crucified, and God raised him up. He is as real and alive today as your own breath, and he leads you to the Father. He is the only way through this. Follow him. 

2) Encourage people by reminding them God sees, God loves them, and to live in the dignity of their baptism. Pray, and speak the truth in love. If you are unsure what the truth is, don’t claim it. Listen to opinions that are different than yours–rebut if you need to, but recognize people’s dignity.

3) “Blessed are the peacemakers…” While that doesn’t mean ignore the need for justice, everything we can do to condemn violence is blessed by the Lord. Every tool we can give people to be a peaceful presence while demanding justice is blessed by the Lord. “…we will be called children of God.”

4) Consider opening your church at certain hours for prayer. If that isn’t possible, maybe pray with your parishioners by leading a rosary for justice and peace on YouTube or facebook.

5) Call parishioners who you know are struggling or scared, and pray with them. There may not be much you can do beyond that. But praying together for strength matters a lot.

6) People may not know how to pray right now. A pastor-friend of mine encouraged a whole congregation undergoing a different tragedy to lean hard on The Lord’s Prayer, multiple times a day, like they never have before–line by line. It is effective advice, and a prayer that people know and can embrace in a fresh way.

BONUS: Offer extra confession times this week.

DOUBLE BONUS: In your personal prayer, pray for the prophets.

May God save us all from evil. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.