How to encourage your pastor

My grandpa was a pastor. He raised me and we were very close. He used to tell me things about being a pastor and the pressure associated with it.

One thing he needed was to have friends. Pastors don't really have friends the way most people do. They have a lot of good people in thier lives but everyone looks at a pastor differently so he can't relax and just be "Joe" around people.

They need to be people too. Sometimes it is good if you can just be a firend to a pastor. Help him around his house or take him fishing or something. Invite him over to watch a game.

 

One of the things we always do during our services is give anyone who desires to testify an opportunity to stand and do so. Sometimes it might be just 30 seconds, other times it might be much longer. Just whatever they want to say.

I recently testified regarding the fact that I felt blessed to be part of such a healthy and spiritual church. And then I felt inclined to turn to the the pastor and say...

"And one of the reasons this fellowship is so strong is because that man right over there...pointing to him.

He gave me a big hug later on before I left.

 

...pointing to him.

Nothing wrong with that at all and some pastors need all the support they can get. Good for you. :thumbs:

 

Very important post. I have been very close to a couple of pastors and they do need encouragement. I think this falls in with the 80/20 principle where 20 percent of congregations do 80 percent of the work in a church. Well I believe 20 % probably do the only lifting up of their pastor. Being a pastor is a very hard job and most people don't realize just how hard.

 

First I will say that I have no idea why anyone would want to be a pastor except if they were called of the Lord or if they found out that they could get rich like many today are doing.

That being said I can certainly pray for my my pastor. I also let him know when I feel what he has said is of the Lord, but I never flatter him as that is sin. Unfortunately I seldom am able to tell my Pastor that I feel his message is of the Lord and I wish deeply this was not so.

 

flat·tered, flat·ter·ing, flat·ters
v.tr. 1. To compliment excessively and often insincerely, especially in order to win favor.
2. To please or gratify the vanity

 

One of the most discouraging things to our pastor is the lack of interest in ministries especially visitation and outreach. I think the above post that said 20% do the work and 80% don't is being too kind.

 

The best way to encourage a pastor is to not act the way many do here on the board!...

OH and don't propose a paycut during Pastor Appreciation month, after not doing anything for your pastor...

OH, and when the pastor brings people to church, and they start coming, don't nit pick them to death to make them leave.

MORE LATER

 

One thing I've really noticed since my dh became a pastor is that people only seem to talk to us if they need something. All the conversations are about them and their problems, their needs, their opinions of what we should be doing, their complains about the church. It would be so nice to have someone care about us for a change instead of us doing all the giving, listening, caring, etc. Even a simple "I'm praying for you" can go a long way. It's hard feeling like all your friendships only go one way, so it's really appreciated when people ask how they can pray for you this week.

Other suggestions:
If you have something negative to say, wait until the service is over. Don't do it right before he gets up to preach. If you have something to say, then say it to his face and don't go to his wife. She is not your go-between and doesn't want to hear what you dislike about her dh.

Don't ask him if he needs a raise. This is like your wife asking you if her outfit makes her look fat. Of course he needs a raise! If you think he *might* need one, chances are he's been needing one for the last 5 years and is too hesitant to bring it up.

If you really want to encourage him, SHOW UP for church, for visitation, and show up ON TIME. When the congregation is singing, look up and smile when you sing. If you can't sing, at least make a joyful noise. All the pastor ever sees is the tops of your heads or half-closed eyelids. Show him your face.

Don't talk during the singing, offering, invitations, etc. And for heaven's sake, get a drink and go to the bathroom BEFORE the service starts. Unless you take water pills or have bad kidneys, stay in your seat during the sermon.

Last but not least, get yourself OFF the back pew and move forward. Not to the front row, as that's sure to give him a heart attack. Just move halfway up like your actually interested in church and not trying to compete to be the first one shooting out the door as soon as he says, "amen."

 

It would seem that the simple answer would be to let him know he is appreciated. That can be done through regular attendance, faithful giving, a willingness to find an area to server Church in its various ministries and observe simple courteousness both during the service and outside the context of the services.

I am related to several pastors through marriage and I have seen first-hand the emotional strain that it can have on them.

 

Every May, the anniversary of when our Pastor was called to our church, we have a pastor appreciation fellowship after Sunday night service. Also, the members give money and it is given to the pastor at the fellowship. That is another way we show appreciation. I should add that I have been at this church 34 years, five or so pastors, and never has our congregation connected to another pastor like it has this one. This man is patient, kind, gentle, yet gives sermons that reflect the truth of the Bible. He is now 68 years old. I wish he could stay forever, but that would be kind of hypocritical on my part, since I retired at 58. It is a great blessing from the Lord to have the right pastor at the right time.