At times, Pastors can be the loneliest people in the church, although surrounded by many, the loads they carry are not fully understood. The hours are long, the pay minimal, the criticism considerable and constant. Feelings of disappointment, discouragement, and possibly defeat may begin to plague the best of them. Galatians 5:13 says: "For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty: only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love, serve one another. "
Unlike most workers who are evaluated once a year, Pastors are often critiqued weekly or even after each worship service. It is not unusual to hear people say, "I didn’t like the music or the songs" or "The sermon was boring or too long". We would do well to remember that good Pastors seek God for the message that HE wants brought forth, upon their knees before God, so that each service will be unique and powerful. Every sermon may not be applicable to your heart and life at that moment, but if a Pastor lead by God is bringing forth a true word, you can rest assured that word is for someone sitting in the congregation.
Ask God to saturate your Pastor with an abundance of love, joy, hope, faith, peace, wisdom, power, courage, and strength. Pray for your spiritual leader’s continued growth and guidance. Pray that God will use him to the fullest of his capacity, for the good of the church body. A writer once wrote, "If you treat a person as he is, he will stay as he is; but, if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be, he will become what he out to be and can be".
- EXPRESS YOUR APPRECIATION IN WRITING
A spoken compliment is always welcome, but a written one can be read over and over again for years. So, when you hear or see something that you appreciate or that has helped you, write him an appreciative note.
- USE YOUR SKILLS TO BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY
Use your trade or your skills to bless your Pastor and his family. Are you a mechanic? Service his car free of charge. Are you proficient with computers? Help your Pastor master a computer program. Do you do lawn maintenance or landscaping? Cut the church’s lawn or the Pastor’s lawn. Any service that you can do for your Pastor and his family is a labor of love.
If you hear a negative comment, respond with a positive one. If misinformation is being spread, correct it with the accurate information. Or, if people are gossiping, just walk away. Remember the Bible soundly condemns gossip and gossiping and careless speech. Don’t bombard your Pastor with ?he said’, ?she said’ talk. Keep your conversations above reproach.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem religious and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Psalms 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Some people make their Pastors defensive and angry by saying, "You need to...." That approach is seldom welcomed by anyone and most always counterproductive. If you see a need or feel the Spirit leading towards an area, approach your Pastor and say "I’d like to help by......" By being active participants in your church, you will be in line with Gods word; by using your gifts and being workers for God, unity will be in the body of Christ. Get involved, teach a class, lead a bible study, visit jails or nursing homes, go door-to-door witnessing, feed the hungry and homeless. Step out and employ your gifts, they are to be used for the building up and edification of the body of Christ.
- BE OPENLY RESPONSIVE TO HIS SERMONS
Nothing so thrills and excites a Pastor as much as seeing people respond to the preaching and teaching. When God’s word is brought forth and it is received among the people, that gives your spiritual shepherd a sense of fulfillment and the desire to continue in his calling. But, be not hearers of the word only, but doers’. To see the response put in the form of action is proof positive of spiritual maturity and growth among a congregation.
- THROW AWAY THE MEASURING STICK
Don’t expect that your Pastor will do things the same way other Pastors or predecessors have done. Lay aside personal agendas and preferences. Instead, focus on how your leader is being used by God to do effective ministry now. Don’t look to the past or compare ministers and try to evaluate one against another. God is no respecter of persons, and we are all different. We are each fearfully and wonderfully made.
By loving your Pastor unconditionally, you will ensure that he will not only be encouraged, but that he will feel appreciated and continue to minister with enthusiasm and energy. Be a close friend to your Pastor. A friend is someone who stays with you in the bad weather of life, guards you when you are off your guard, restrains your impetuosity, delights in your wholeness, forgives failures, does not forsake you when others let you down...after all, doesnt this describe your Pastor's love and care for YOU?
