(A note – In the blog, “he” is used for convenience. The Spirit works in men and women, according to His will.)
For 46 years I served the church in pastoral ministry. Since stepping down from the leadership of a church in 2021, I have remained active in ministry, privileged to serve in less visible ways. This month, October, has a tradition of including Pastor Appreciation Day. (generally the 2nd Sunday) I’d like to encourage you in that, offering some suggestions about practical things each of us can do to encourage our ministers to do their best, to serve well, and to know real joy in their high calling.
Being a Pastor is not just a ‘job,’ it is a vocation, a way
of life. Who he is cannot be separated from what he does. Unless he serves in
one of those relatively rare mega-churches, the pastor knows that he is
privileged to teach the Word and shape lives as well as be responsible for the
mundane tasks of the local church – such as locking the doors and balancing the
church budget. Pastoral ministry is not formed by the same imperatives as guides
the modern CEO. He is not a ‘hero’ like Lone Ranger of American lore. His title
is the best clue to how he serves – Pastor means ‘shepherd.’ He
serves to protect, feed, and grow the flock of God!
Unless you have been a pastor, you cannot know how quickly a person must adjust. He moves from emotional highs to lows– birth to death, grief to celebration, praise to criticism – with his flock. He is often the first person called at a time of death, is asked to step into family times of crisis: marriage difficulty, tragedy, serious illness. He must prepare his heart and mind to lead ‘worship,’ gathering the congregation and leading them to respond to the Spirit. And, his sermons must be ‘interesting,’ and able to nourish souls. And, he must deliver do that work each week - regardless of his personal circumstances.
There is no better life than the one to which God called me!
Sure, I knew stress and heartbreak. Some
years were more ‘successful’ than others. I understood that people who were
angry at God frequently aimed their frustration at me, the one who represented Him before them. It stung when someone leaned hard on me in a
time of need and forgot who I was when life was peachy. When my sinful humanity
shown through too visibly some recoiled, even criticized me for the very same issues
they had experienced. But, who else gets to lead a person to know new life in
Christ as often as a pastor? Who else knows
the joy of being a ‘bridge over troubled waters’ for so many? Pastors whose hearts are true feel the most
joy when those they serve are growing in Christ, when they the ‘fruit’ of their
work in a life that is pointed in the right direction.
You can maximize your Pastor’s effectiveness with some gifts you can offer.
1. Pray for him, every day.
Ask the Lord to keep and protect him, to help him to be
disciplined and courageous, and to be loving in times of trial, and to stay
renewed and alive in the Spirit.
Remember, spiritual leaders are front-line targets. When a pastor fails,
there is hurt and disappointment. Even where there is no moral compromise, like
all people, pastors become discouraged or disillusioned. So, pray for your
Pastor.
2. Accept him and the spiritual gifts God has given to him.
Appreciate the unique strengths of your Pastor and encourage him in those areas where he is not as proficient. He probably knows the gaps in his skills and gifts better than you do. Remember, too, that he does not possess every gift of the Spirit. He, like you, has been created by the Lord to serve in a unique way.
3. If you must criticize him, (and no pastor is above correction or criticism) do it honestly and directly.
Pastors cannot possibly do all things equally well. Some are more relational than others. Some
are better speakers. Some are better administrators. That means that your need or desire may not always
be met as you wish. Some tolerance is in
order as well as honesty. If you have an
issue with your pastor, make a time to sit with him and tell him about
it. Do not be one of those people who
tear down the preacher in the hallway at church! Remember, life looks very different from his
side of the pulpit and he may not share your perception. Give him the
opportunity to explain that decision with which you disagree. Take time to understand yourself before you
criticize your pastor. If you are angry with God, do not take it out on the one
in the pulpit.
4. Don’t idolize or idealize him.
He must live what he teaches, but he cannot do it not perfectly. He, like you, is working out his salvation each day, a recipient of God’s grace. If you turn him into idol, you sin because only God is worthy of your worship and devotion. If you idealize him, pushing him onto a pedestal, you will be disappointed. From that place, his ability to serve you is nearly impossible. He teaches you best, not from some lofty place far removed, but as leads you with an authentic, observable, living faith in a loving Lord. Jesus cautioned his disciples about seeking titles, about hiding behind robes. (see Matthew 23) We are all brothers in Christ. Don’t try to make your pastor more than he is – a Christian walking with Jesus – just like you.
The Word teaches that pastors are a gift from God to His church. Yes, really! The Lord “gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13, NLT) What a ministry position description!
Here is a 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)
I am thankful for all those decades that I was privileged to serve in the pulpit and now it is my joyful responsibility to hold up the hands of my Pastor, to encourage the work of ministry. Join me and let’s make God’s work fruitful and effective.
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