Dr. Crowder shared the following in a letter to future Living Waters Region Clergy on Thursday, March 26.
The Path to Palm Sunday: An Invitation to Clergy to Self Care
Beloved Colleagues,
There is something sacred—and sobering—about the road to Palm Sunday. It is a path lined not only with palms and praise, but also with tension, expectation, and the quiet knowledge that celebration is only the threshold of suffering. For clergy, this journey is not merely one we preach—it is one we live.
The Weight of the Week
The journey to Palm Sunday is filled with movement, meaning, and mounting expectations. Sermons must be crafted, liturgies prepared, palms ordered, volunteers coordinated, and Holy Week plans finalized. The calendar fills quickly, and the needs of the congregation seem to multiply. Yet in the midst of this sacred season, clergy often find themselves pouring out without pausing to be filled. As you prepare sermons, coordinate worship, and tend to the spiritual needs of your ministry setting, you may find yourself carrying both the joy of the crowd and the heaviness of what lies ahead. The shouts of “Hosanna!” echo loudly, but so too does the distant rumble of the cross. This is the paradox of ministry: we are called to hold joy and sorrow in the same sacred breath. Remember, even Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem knowing the cost. He did not turn away from the road. He embraced it with clarity, courage, and compassion.
Faithfulness Over Performance
The road to Palm Sunday can easily become a performance stage. Sanctuaries fill, expectations rise, and clergy often feel the pressure to deliver the perfect sermon, the most moving liturgy, and the most meaningful worship experience. The temptation is subtle but real — to measure success by response, energy, and execution. Yet the journey to Jerusalem reminds us that ministry is not about performance, but about faithfulness. Jesus did not enter Jerusalem with polished perfection or strategic spectacle. He came riding on a borrowed colt, fulfilling prophecy with humility. The crowd shouted “Hosanna,” but Jesus remained steady in purpose. He was not performing for applause; He was walking faithfully toward obedience. Clergy are called to that same posture. Faithfulness over performance means remembering that God has not asked us to impress — God has asked us to be present. It means trusting that the Spirit moves not because everything is flawless, but because hearts are open. It means allowing worship to be authentic rather than theatrical, prayerful rather than pressured, grounded rather than grand.
Tending Your Own Soul
In the rush toward Easter, do not neglect your own spirit. The journey through Holy Week is not only for your ministry setting—it is for you. Palm Sunday invites us not only to lead the procession — but to walk it ourselves. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was purposeful, but it was not rushed. He moved with intention. He allowed the crowd to praise, the moment to unfold, and the symbolism to speak. There is something deeply instructive in this for those who shepherd others. The call to ministry is not simply to produce meaningful worship; it is to embody a meaningful walk with God. Before the shouts of “Hosanna” came the quiet rhythms of prayer. Before the crowds gathered, Jesus withdrew. Before the cross, there was stillness. The path to Palm Sunday, then, is not just about preparation for others — it is about spiritual grounding for ourselves.
Clergy, this is a gentle reminder:
*You cannot carry the weight of Holy Week if your soul is already exhausted.
*You cannot proclaim peace if you have not sought it.
*You cannot lead people into Jerusalem if you have not spent time with God on the road.
Walking Forward
As you approach Palm Sunday, know this: you are not alone on the road. You walk with the saints who have gone before you. You walk with your ministry setting, in all of its complexity and need. And most importantly, you walk with Christ—who knows the way, because Christ is the way. So lift your head. Preach with honesty. Lead with love. And trust that even on the road that leads to the cross… resurrection is already on the horizon. This week, consider tending to your own soul in simple but intentional ways:
Step away, even briefly, for silence and prayer
Take a walk without sermon notes or phone calls
Read scripture devotionally, not professionally
Allow yourself to breathe between commitments
Accept that everything does not need to be perfect