A pastor and people have a relationship like none other in the world. That relationship extends beyond the supply of physical needs into the realm of the spiritual. If the pastor is scripturally what he should be, he feeds the souls of his people through the exposition of the word. He provides council and support in personal times of grief and affliction. He has the responsibility of providing pastoral care in tragedy, sickness, and death. He prays for the benefit and spiritual growth of the congregation. He spends his whole life, mind, and heart devoted to the well-being and care of the people whom he has been entrusted.
The pastor has devoted his whole life to your well-being, do you love him for it? Do you appreciate what your pastor does for you and your family? Do you love him because he feeds your soul with the word of God for your spiritual well-being?
I am beginning to notice a decrease in appreciation and love for pastors. It seems they are a dime-a-dozen and if we don’t like someone we simply get another. Congregations have become “lords” over their pastors and eventually suffocate him under the weight of their authority. They demand so much and give so little back that he eventually is spent in the process of caring for their souls. I implore you people, love your pastor and do not “lord” over him as if you were his boss. God has entrusted this man to you for the benefit of your soul – love him, care for him, do not use him to the extent that he becomes no use to you. Do not demand that he care for your physical needs in an unrealistic manner but understand his greatest importance is who he is in the study and the pulpit.
Many problems of a pastor can be solved if the congregation simply loved him. How can he concentrate on feeding his sheep if he is constantly worried about his financial situation because you don’t think he should make as much money as you do? How can he concentrate on feeding his sheep if he is spent while running from house to house scratching every little itch of someone who is upset with the church?
Love him, care for him, provide his benefits, meet his needs, love his wife and children, encourage him, pray for him, feed him, and pay attention to him. He has been given charge over you by the calling God has placed upon his heart and you will be held accountable for how you treat him. People: love your Pastor!
Filed under: Ministry, Pastors, The Church
[...] Benge makes my favorite post this week about how a church should love its pastor; he’s also started a series that resonates with me about “Bridging the Gap Between [...]