Support Your Pastor

“And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves."

PERSONAL ENCOURAGEMENT AND AFFIRMATION

Through Your Involvement in the Church

We are a society of spectators, and watching pastors has become a great game in Western society. We are also and incredibly busy society, and at church there is a tendency to “hire the ministry done.” Consider the following techniques for involving yourself in your church.

Give Time. You want to see a pastor faint? Tell him you have rearranged our personal schedule and you have six free hours per month to give him in two three-hour blocks. Give more if you can. The concept of “under-promise and over-deliver” is crucial here if you really want to encourage your pastor.

The Vision Thing. Find out the vision your pastor has for your church.

Mobilize an Army of Volunteers. With you pastor’s blessing, mobilize an “army” of people who will keep all the volunteer slots filled in your church. Simply stated, the best way to encourage your pastor personally in the life of the church is to get involved.

Through Relationship

Give Him a Call. With sensitivity to the pastor’s schedule, give a spontaneous call to see how he is doing. Limit your call to five minutes of less, focusing on your care and concern.

Take Him to A Special Event. Invite your pastor and his spouse to be your guests. Obviously you will pay their way – even for baby-sitting, if that is necessary.

Keep Confidences. Most pastors do not have close relationships in their churches because they fear (all too legitimately) that what they share will not be kept confidential.

Be Honest and Down-To-Earth. Many pastors feel the aloneness of being regarded as out of reach or in some special category apart from the rest of the congregation. Most pastors deeply appreciate church members who can set that aside and talk shoulder to shoulder, eye to eye. Therefore, consider two places you’re willing to “risk” taking your pastor in the next twelve months. Write them down now.

Do Not Stand For Gossip. Do not pass what you heard down the grapevine. That’s gossip. Read and follow the true and tested guidelines God has already given us in Matthew 18 to make things right with each other.


- Excerpted and adapted from the book ‘Support Your Local Pastor” by Wes Roberts. Creative ideas from over 100 lay people and pastors on ways you can encourage your pastor and help him avoid burnout.