I just finished my first leadership training event of the year. As I stood in front of a group of 150 women, I noticed that for the first time in two years, women were hugging one another, very few masked women were in the crowd, and the words COVID and pandemic were not the primary topics of conversation.
There is a sense that we are in a new post-pandemic world, even though we are never certain that a new variant will not rear its ugly head again. We want to go back to the way things “were,” but just like our security measures of air transportation were never the same after 9-11, there is an underlying anxiety that our world is much different than it was two years ago.
So, how do we move forward in our leadership and our ministry to women? I think we can take some lessons from Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the king, who faced a post-exile broken wall in Jerusalem. While the circumstances aren’t the same, there are some similarities in how ministry leaders might approach our new post-pandemic realities. Here are just a few ways you can prepare and seek the Lord’s help as you move forward.
First, grieve the losses and seek direction from the Lord in prayer. When Nehemiah was given the state of Jerusalem, its broken wall, and the remnant that remained after the exile, he grieved and prayed. Nehemiah 1:4 says, “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.” Just as Nehemiah wept, leaders should not rush forward without entering into a time of grief and prayer. Let’s recognize that more than 6.2 million people in the world have died from COVID. On top of that, consider the number of people who died of other causes—funerals were delayed, which in turn, delayed grief. Add to that the grief of lost jobs, dreams, and sometimes, relationships. As a leader, consider ways to recognize those losses and allow people a chance to grieve. Spend time praying and seeking direction from the Lord regarding your next steps. If you are experiencing personal grief and loss, find someone you can talk to and seek counseling if you are struggling.
Second, assess your current situation. Nehemiah approached his authority, King Artaxerxes, and asked for permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. When he was permitted to leave, he arrived in Jerusalem, assessed the damage, took a few men with him, and made a plan. Leaders must assess their current situation and make plans before moving forward. Did you have fifty women coming to Bible study before the pandemic? Consider that a new reality might be twenty-five women as you begin to meet again. Don’t get discouraged if your numbers aren’t what they used to be. Be thankful for what you have and start to rebuild slowly and with intentionality. As Nehemiah 2:18 reminds us, “I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me, and what the king had said to me. They said, ‘Let’s start rebuilding,’ and their hands were strengthened to do this good work.”
Third, rebuilding can be exhausting. Nehemiah 4:10 describes what it was like when they were faced with an enemy and with what seemed like an impossible task. “In Judah, it was said: The strength of the laborer fails, since there is so much rubble. We will never be able to rebuild the wall.” Let’s face it. You might face some opposition. You might have to deal with a lot of rubble that needs to be removed before you can start rebuilding. You might face weary volunteers who need encouragement. Instead of building a literal wall, learn how to build one another up and celebrate small victories. As I face a new reality and a rebuilding phase in my own work, I am trying to remind my team God is on our side and the work He has asked us to do has eternal value. Just as Nehemiah reminded the people that God would fight for them, He is still on His throne, and nothing has surprised Him. As a leader, rest in that promise and remind others of the same.
Finally, give God the glory for the successes you experience along the way. The wall in Jerusalem was completed in fifty-two days, a miraculous feat. This was not just a symbol of a new wall for protection, but the rebirth of a community. Nehemiah 6:16 celebrates this victory, saying, “When all our enemies heard this, all the surrounding nations were intimidated and lost their confidence, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God.” Don’t take credit for your success that is accomplished in the months and year ahead. Point to the One who holds all things together. Celebrate with those on your leadership team but take time to give God the praise.

Kelly D. King is the Manager of Magazines/Devotional Publishing and Women’s Ministry Training for Lifeway Christian Resources. She is the author of Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide for Leading Women in the Local Church. You can hear Kelly at Lifeway’s You Lead events that are held in several cities around the country or listen to her co-host the Marked Podcast with Elizabeth Hyndman.