Every pastor hears an old joke again and again - "Hey, must be nice to have a job where you work one day a week." That's not even close to the truth. Despite an appearance of being a relaxed lifestyle, full-time ministry is a demanding calling that can be hazardous to both health and family. A pastor is 'on call,' 24 hours a day. Every minister knows what it is to get a call during time off when a member of his flock is in dire need. He awakens in the middle of the night with the needs of his flock on his mind, and lifts them to God in prayer, at 2 am. He must move rapidly from emotional highs to lows; for example, celebrating a new birth and conducting a funeral during the same week. Sorrow makes its way to his door constantly as he's usually the first person called at death, marriage difficulty, tragedy, or times of serious illness. It may not seem that such work wears on him, but it does because he is not 'just a professional.' He really cares for his flock. He studies constantly so that when he stands before the congregation to preach he is able to provide spiritual nourishment. And, he must deliver a message every Sunday -regardless of his personal circumstances. And, he loves every minute of this life to which God has called him!
Until... he's attacked unfairly for the thousandth time, often at a moment when he's struggling to cope with some need in his own life. It's at that moment that some pastors, tragically, give up their service. Tony Campolo describes one of those 'hits' that can knock a pastor off his feet. "Only a pastor truly knows what it feels like to have yet another person call to tell you they're leaving the church- a person you love, a person you helped and served, a person who needed you, a person you now feel you need, and yet another person is going, leaving, abandoning, rejecting. . . People go, and they take a chunk of your heart with them. And of your morale." -Adventures in Missing the Point
So, how can you maximize your Pastor's effectiveness in ministry?
1. Pray for him, everyday.
Spiritual leaders are front-line targets in the battle that the Devil wages in this world against the work of God. We all know the devastation left behind when there is a moral failure in ministry. Some conclude that Christianity is a fraud. Others lose their ability to receive ministry because they think all preachers are like those whose sins were revealed. And even where there is no moral compromise, pastors know the attack of the Enemy through discouragement. Pray for your Pastor - that God will keep and protect him, that he will be disciplined and courageous, and that he will finish the race well.
2. Accept him and the spiritual gifts God has given to him.
Pastors are not all equally adept at all kinds of ministry service. Appreciate the unique strengths of your Pastor and encourage him in those areas where he is not as proficient. Understand that God has equipped him to minister in a way that will not be exactly like the ministry of your favorite TV preacher or the pastor who introduced you to Christ and who you still love like a father. He probably knows the gaps in his skills and giftings better than you do, but it will squander his strengths if those in the Body constantly press him to 'fix' those areas rather than focusing on what he can do best in God's service.
3. If you must criticize him, (and no pastor is above correction or criticism) do it honestly, directly, and person to person.
Every pastor deals with Mr. They Say in his church. By that I mean that we hear Mr. They quoted all the time. "Pastor, They say..." But he cannot respond to anonymous criticism because he has no context for it. He wonders, "Does it mean that a majority feels this way, or is this just the opinion of the same two people who are never satisfied with anything I do?" If you have an issue with your pastor, be mature about it. Don't play games, hinting at the difficulty. Make a time to sit with him and just tell him what you think, what you want, where you think he's missed the mark. If he's wise, he'll listen and evaluate. He may not share your perception. He may have an explanation for the decision with which you disagree. Realize, too, that it's not quite fair to get angry with him when you're angry at God! He can help you with your doubt or confusion when you don't understand why life is turning out a certain way, but it will be doubly difficult if you're attacking him.
4. Don't idolize or idealize him.
Pastors are just people who deal with kids who don't always do what they're taught, who have marriage struggles, who have up days and down days, who fight temptation - just like you. Yes, you should expect him to live what he teaches, but not perfectly. He is a sinner, too; and, like you, he is working out his salvation each day. If you make him into idol, you sin because only God is worthy of your worship and devotion. If you idealize him, thinking he's more or better than he is really is, you will be disappointed, and may mistakenly transfer your disappointment to Christ which would be tragic. When you put him on a pedestal, remember that you make his ability to minister to you all the more difficult. He teaches you best, not from some lofty place far removed, but as you watch him live a real life that demonstrates a living faith in a loving Lord.
Thanks for reading this today. I leave you with this word from the Word.
"Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all.... Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?" (Hebrews 13:7, 17 The Message)
"Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” Do not listen to complaints against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse him." (1 Timothy 5:17-19, NLT)
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