This year's election, which is still not decided at the time of writing this blog, is a difficult one for pastors. Below are some of the reasons. 
Every church has people who identify with different parties and candidates. They also disagree on platforms or outcomes of the election, and they also may like or dislike the candidates for a variety of reasons including appearance, age, perceived ability to lead, content and style of their speech, past performance or questions about their character or conduct. An election like the one we have just finished may tend to influence how you view or judge your pastor. For some, the pastor becomes just another candidate for office. This can be extremely frustrating and confusing for your pastor.
During a season of campaigning and election, there are some or even many who want their pastor to include politics in their preaching or public speaking. There's one big problem. Pastors find it very hard to preach only from the Word of God lest they risk dividing the membership along political parties. You can openly endorse a political position if it is in harmony with biblical command or principle. However, there will always be differing views of interpretation when it comes to some issues. At this time of voting, the stress of an election always sits with your pastor in the chair of the pastor's office.
Also, during this election, voting one's preferences is just one stressor carried on the shoulders of someone who tends a flock of God 24/7. There are also the stressors of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, one's own church elections and decisions that have to be made, handling conflict within the family and church over social distancing, wearing masks, budgets and reduced giving, dramatically reduced church attendance, how to communicate, preaching to a camera as well as to a congregation, etc.
Pastors must also help their congregation deal with the results of the election. Church folk will experience fear, anxiety, thankfulness, anger, grief, and other kinds of emotions. The pastor must help others deal with their emotions while also dealing with his own.
There may be many more reasons why this election is making life and ministry more difficult for pastors, but let me name one more. As the pastor deals with possible election results on top of the uncertain pandemic effects, how hard is it to plan for the future and keep the church's mission and vision at the forefront? Currently, "long-range planning" may mean, what can we do to make it through to the end of this year?
My conclusion is, pray more for your pastor. Share all good things with him. Be a Barnabas for him. Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Cast all your anxieties on the Lord, for He cares for you. Do not fear, for the Lord is always with you and your church. God is still on the Throne as King of kings and Lord of lords. And He is coming again!
[Photo by Mubariz Mehdizadeh on Unsplash]