Well, someone has designated October as “Pastor Appreciation” month. It has well been said that one’s pastor should be appreciated every month, but there is probably widespread agreement that it is well to set aside certain days to give special recognition and honor to those in our lives who are making significant contributions and differences for good. Pastors could be included in that category. I am not a senior pastor now, so I feel at liberty to speak to this subject, a liberty that I would not have had when I was in an active pastorate.
Paul spoke plainly to the first-century church in Thessalonica when he said: “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor 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. And be at peace among yourselves.” (I Thess. 5:12,13)
In fact, in Galatians Paul said that the church there had received him “as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.” He went on to say that had it been possible there were those who would have “plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.” (Gal. 4:15) Talk about esteeming a minister highly! But Paul remonstrated, “Have I then become your enemy?” So, it would seem that sometimes those ministers we have held in high esteem may not always enjoy the deep regard once given them. That was the case with the Apostle Paul, and I am sure that almost every pastor has experienced the same shift in affection from those who once were very close in mind and spirit with their pastor—but, in the course of time, lost that esteem. I could testify to that fact. I do not doubt that every pastor could say, “Aye, me too!”
Sometimes a person will ask me, “How did you manage to stay so long in one church as pastor?” Well, my first response has to be, “The grace of God!” Over the course of time, in any ministry, there are ups and downs, mountain tops and valleys, and when one is down in the valley, a temptation to hang it up or move on to another field might just creep into one’s heart and mind. The pastor who stays long-term just has to commit it to God, the Lord of the vineyard, and determine not to leave in those low times unless and until God makes it crystal clear that He is leading you to leave. Problems await you at the next church; people are the same there as where you are laboring, working through the same issues, struggles, and temptations.
Years ago, at a pastor’s fellowship, a pastor addressed the subject of long-term pastorates. I took notes, and he said that he had done a serious study of pastors who had stayed many years in one church, and he had come up with six characteristics that those men shared in common. They were: (1) pastors who focused on preaching; (2) men who worked; (3) men who read; (4) men who kept notes on a simple level; (5) men who wrote; and (6) men who saw the importance of getting away to pray and to plan. Ironically, the pastor who shared that message soon thereafter resigned his pastorate, after a short tenure, and moved on to another place of service! But there was merit in what he said that day and so, 40 or so years later, I am passing it on to whomever might deem it worthy of noting.
Pastors “which labor among you” have a challenging job description. George Barna, the church marketing expert, reported that churches expect their pastors to juggle an average of 16 major tasks. Another study revealed that 90 percent of pastors feel inadequately trained to meet the demands of their job. Most of them work more than 46 hours per week, and 70 percent say they do not have a close friend. (Fuller Institute of Church Growth)
James R. Webb, Jr., points out seven ways you can help your pastor in his ministry: (1) Let him know of spiritual needs. When sickness or death strikes, don’t hesitate to notify your under-shepherd so that he can minister to you and yours through your difficult times; (2) Criticize constructively; (3) Attend services consistently. Good attendance inspires good preaching; (4) Carry your share of the church’s load. Take some initiative yourself; (5) Tell him about new people in the community, or in your circle of acquaintances, that might respond to an invitation; (6) Share the visitation. No pastor can make all the calls that need to be made. (7) Be his friend. A pastor can know loneliness. The comradeship you offer will be cherished.
I heard of a pastor that finally had all he could stand of ministering to a congregation that, he felt, did not appreciate him, so he decided to move on. He was starving to death on donations of catfish, ‘possum, and a $100 salary. He called a meeting of his flock and bid goodbye to his weeping congregation: “Brothers and sisters,” he said, wiping his eyes on his red bandana handkerchief, “I’ve called you together tonight to say farewell. The Lord has called me to another place. I don’t think the Lord loves this people much for none of you die; He doesn’t seem to want you. And you don’t seem to love each other, for I’ve never married any of you. And I don’t think you love me, for you don’t pay me my salary—and your donations are moldy fruits and wormy apples. ‘By their fruits you shall know them.’ So now brothers and sisters, I am going to a better place. I’ve been appointed chaplain to the penitentiary in Joliet. ‘Where I go ye cannot come; but I go to prepare a place for you.’”
So, appreciate your pastor. Speak well of him. Pray for him. Encourage him. Cooperate with him. Give heed to his preaching and teaching. Follow him as he follows Christ. He is God’s man. He is just a man, subject to all the temptations to which you are subject. He must give account for your soul, so do not take lightly what he is doing, nor why. Support him in every imaginable way, and don’t forget to lift up in prayer his dear wife and family. Make sure the church takes care of him financially. Don’t begrudge the time off that he may take. Love him. Trust him. Care for him. Be a part of a church-wide effort to build a great pastor; watch then as you and your pastor, through God’s enablement by His Spirit, build a great church.
“And He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry….” (Eph.4:11,12)
YOU and GOD 