Hey Friends! How are you doing this rainy Monday? Have you prayed today? If not, stop right now and pray! 🙂 Okay, are you good now? Perfect! Today, I want to talk about something that I wish was talked about more. Problem is, the person who would address the congregation is your pastor, right? Well, that’s exactly who and what I want to talk about today. The pastor.
As most of you know, I recently took on the position of secretary at our church. Because I work an 8-5 job, I do the secretary duties after work and on the weekends. So, I go to the church at odd times. 9 times out of 10, Scott is there. It doesn’t matter when I go. He is usually reading/studying for his sermon, writing, approving items within the church, attending meetings, going to hospitals/homes/funerals, being available when youth/Kreek Kids are meeting, etc. He works alot. And he works hard. I can imagine being a pastor is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting at times (I can imagine being the wife of a pastor is exhausting as well). So how can we as a congregation support the pastor? Let’s talk about it.
First and absolute foremost, pray for him and his family. Listen, your pastor and their family are just people. They make mistakes. They are met with the same struggles you are met with on a daily basis. BUT, there is a WHOLE GROUP of people watching them. We hold him to a higher standard because “he’s the pastor”. 1 Timothy 3:2 says, “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober minded, self controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach”. Does this end with, “and if you are all these things, you won’t struggle?” I don’t see that. Their hearts are just as heavy as yours. Knowing they have a whole group of people praying for them has to bring them great joy and comfort.
Second, talk to him about his sermon! I did a little research and on average, pastors spend 10-20 hours a week preparing for their sermon. I’m sure that varies and yes, I’m sure they have some already written in the filing cabinet. But, they DID write it at one point in time! They still have to freshen it up and deliver it in a way we understand and can retain it. So, talking to the pastor, asking questions, or thanking him is a way of letting him know you listened to his hard work. His work didn’t go unnoticed and he made a difference to you.
Third, tell him how God is growing in you. 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7 is Paul’s response hearing from a previous congregation. “But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you- for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.” This report brought Paul great comfort and joy. It gave him a new breath. If it rejuvenated Paul. It feels good to know something you work hard at inspires and grows people, right? Take the time to tell your pastor.
Fourth, care for his wife. As a female in the church, if I have a problem, I would be more inclined to talk to Linda. Not because I can’t talk to Scott (because I do) but because she’s a female. If I feel that way, I know others do. So she deals with people’s issues just like the rest of us. When she married her husband, she also signed up to not only be a wife and mother but to be “the pastor’s wife”. She has the same struggles as you. She’s a servant of Christ. She’s a wife trying to honor her husband. She’s a mother who gets discouraged and struggles. She’s a church member…like you except not. Am I right? So take care of her because she’s the backbone of your pastor.
Lastly, follow his leadership. If you go to a church where this is a struggle for you, then you are at the wrong church. I know that might be a hot take but it’s the truth. That doesn’t mean that the pastor is doing something wrong, it means YOU need to find a church you trust the leadership. Why? Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” So you need to gladly accept their leadership.
You know, I have always said being a pastor has to be a hard profession. It’s not the preaching or the submission to God. It’s the people. It’s us. It’s me. It’s emotional, I’m sure. That has to take a toll on them mentally and emotionally. They carry your struggles, their families struggles and their own struggles. And do all of this being held to a higher standard by God and by you. That’s a lot.
So this week, thank your pastor and his wife. Let them know what they mean to you. Let your pastor know how he has impacted your life. In your daily prayers, make sure to include him and his family because I know he prays for yours.
Love you all,
Jennifer
