May-June 1997
PERSONAL
Support Your Local Pastor
A little help can go a long way.
by Bill Leisner
A pastor leads best when his people get behind him. Some people get so far behind the pastor that you would hardly know they are there.
This reminds me of a story.
Here is what a Christian leader told of a group of laymen who came to see him one day for some advice. They wanted to know a diplomatic way to get rid of their pastor. The man, sensing that the group was being a bit unfair, offered them these solutions.
"One thing you could do," he said, "is to look your pastor straight in the eye while he is preaching and say amen once in a while. This way he will preach himself to death. Perhaps you could pat him on the back and tell him his good points. If you keep that up, he will most likely work himself to death.
"A sure way to get rid of him would be to rededicate your own life to Christ and ask your minister for a job to do. This will lead to death from heart failure.
"Best of all you can unite in prayer for him. This is the most effective. It will cause him to become so effective that a larger church will take him off your hands."
We chuckle at this little story, but it's true. The pastor is very often taken for granted by the flock.
If we looked into the heart of your pastor, we would see a man with a heavy heart after standing beside those with a critical illness, wounded marriages and children in crisis. We would see the results of spending an entire night in prayer with someone who has decided to end his life, abort a fetus or reject the Lord. We would look at someone who misses nights of sleep, holiday dinners and family events to be with those in need.
We see the pain on his face when he doesn't meet expectations or when someone says, "He just doesn't care."
Being a pastor is a very serious responsibility. Hebrews 13:17 tells us to "obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."
God holds all of us accountable for what we do on this earth, and he holds pastors more accountable than anyone else. They have the responsibility to lead and teach us the ways of God. If your pastor faithfully preaches God's Word and tries to live an exemplary life, it is up to us to do all we can to support and encourage him.
Pastors are by no means perfect. However, most are faithful men of God and worthy of our loving respect and support. Paul says in
1 Timothy 5:17, "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."
Most pastors are not looking for rewards here on this earth, but they need to know we are behind them in what they are doing. A little help from you can go a long way in telling your pastor that you are grateful for all he has done for you.
Bill Leisner is the president and general manager of Cornerstone Broadcasting in Daytona Beach, Florida.
| H.B. London, vice
president of pastoral ministries at Focus on the
Family, is a pastor to pastors. In his booklet, Pastors at Risk,
he writes:
"Love [for our pastors] needs to be exhibited. How? Show it! Send a note of encouragement. Remember your pastor's birthday and anniversary. Launch a Pastor Appreciation Sunday each year. I can almost guarantee you that, in return, your pastor will give the very best to you and the congregation. Encouragement begets faithful service." |