Sep 26, 2018
by John J. Pethtel
Pastoring a church is NOT an easy job.
This Pastor’s Appreciation Month (and every day) I wanted to share 9 ways you can encourage your pastor (or pastors).
- Thank them. It’s not easy to preach every week. It’s not easy to carry the burden of ministry every day. A pastor rarely hears “thank you.” A good pastor isn’t in the ministry for a thank you from the congregation. But a thank you can go a long way. My guess is you appreciate the work they do. Tell them.
- Be specific in your thanks. A general “thank you” is more than what many pastors hear week after week, but a specific thank you is life-giving. Specificity implies gratefulness.
- Submit to their leadership. If God has placed you in a church, He requires for you to submit to her leaders (Hebrew 13:17). Most of the time, that’s an easy call. Do it joyfully, understanding that God is leading this church. If the gospel isn’t being thrown out and sin isn’t being glorified, submit.
- Honor them. Pay them well, if you are in a position to make such a call. Speak well of them to outsiders and insiders. Tell them how you see God at work in their lives. Use your words to build up, not tear down.
- Squash gossip. Leaders take a lot of heat. Let only their actual words and actions be discussed, not feelings about such words or actions, especially if you disagree. Be slow to speak. Don’t be the wind on the flame of gossip. Be the water.
- Come to church. Pastors love the people of their church and want to see them. Come and be present. When you are absent, your pastor(s) notices. They have committed to God to care for your soul.
- Engage in the life of the church in the way God has gifted you. Don’t wait for them to ask for your help. Offer it, and be satisfied with the answer of yes or no to follow. Even if you don’t love the job, do it joyfully. Most likely, you won’t do it forever. If you can help, help!
- Trust them. They are leading you the best they can as they follow Jesus. Give them the benefit of the doubt.
- Pray for them. Nothing means more than this. Every day is a spiritual battle. Satan hates what pastors do. He wishes for nothing more than a great fall into sin. Every moment, the battle is waged.
