What We are Learning in a VUCA World: Hold on to Mission

“If you think that not gathering in a church building is going to kill the church, you just don’t understand the revolution Jesus started.” -- Dan White, Jr.

In a previous blog post, I referred to the VUCA world of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. The term certainly describes the context in which we find ourselves--the onset of the coronavirus, political division, and economic challenges. Churches are certainly not immune to these influences, but I have found that clergy leaders are not just reacting but responding in creative and effective ways to this new environment.

One thing that church leaders are discovering is that, despite what is going on around them, they must hold on to mission. As Stephen Covey said, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” Although we cannot do ministry as we are accustomed to doing, we are still God’s people carrying out the missio Dei (mission of God).

How we do ministry is changing, but ministry has always been involved in an evolutionary process. The difference is that the fast forward button has been pushed, and we have been called upon to make adaptive change very quickly. Even as we make changes to address this new environment, we have the same mission--to carry the message of God to all people.

Whether we are in Indonesia or Indianapolis, Nepal or Nashville, we persevere in the mission to which God has called us. It would be easy to take our eyes off the goal, but to do so is to pursue the path of failure.

I have been impressed that in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, clergy leaders are finding new ways to connect with their parishioners, lead worship, and encourage one another. They are staying the course and holding on to the mission. This is what God has called us to do.

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