If this month is considered as Pastors’ Appreciation month, how would you appreciate your pastor? Does your pastor deserve an appreciation, and how much of it would you offer him?
Your pastor is your church leader who watches over your soul and leads you in the way of the Lord. Pastors’ job is much more involving than it appears on the surface.
Pastors share the responsibility of their church members. They are all out there trying their best to help those in need.
If any comparison would be suitable, consider comparing your pastor to the president of a country who has an enormous burden to care for the citizens of his land.
Your pastor has a lot on his plate to deal with. Just imagine that your pastor is not only dealing with your issue; he is also dealing with the situations of other members of the congregation.
If any member has a problem, it also automatically got your pastor involved. He has to be there for such an individual. He has to stand in the gap by praying and providing other supports.
Your Pastor Is Human
Your pastor, who is often pressured to help solve other people’s problems, also has his own personal life with issues to address.
Your pastor, just like every other human being, has to care for himself and his family.
Perhaps, your pastor even has more problems to shove aside while he’s trying to solve yours!
Always remember that your pastor is a fellow human being who puts his problem aside to try to be of help to you.
Never take the kindness of your pastor for granted – Appreciate him!
Your pastor has a spiritual responsibility to watch over your soul. He watches over you in prayers. He feeds you with the word of God. He also tries his best to offer you moral support and other help whenever you need one.
Appreciate Your Pastor
Get this fact straight: your pastor is not God; you must not worship him!
You must give all glory to God, for he deserves it! However, never forget that your pastor, who represents God in your life, must be appreciated!
Hebrews 13:17 (NIV) rightly addresses this,
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” – Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)
Don’t Be Insensitive About Your Pastor
Your pastor is not an angel. Most times, people get it wrong, thinking their pastors are all-sufficient ones. They are not.
Even if everything is going well with your pastor, you should always consider it important to encourage and minister to his needs.
Pastors are human, just like everyone else. They have needs, and they need some encouragement.
How Well Can A Pastor Be Appreciated?
Some pastors get paid some stipends to care for their needs while some others don’t get any payment.
Under whatever condition, you, as a church member, must understand that you have the personal responsibility to take care of your pastor!
Take it or leave it, no pastor can be well compensated for his services because the title carries enormous responsibility with ranging impact of brain drain, emotional impact, and psychological impact.
How May I Appreciate My Pastor?
As a church member, step-up to the plate and shoulder your responsibility. Do your due diligence for your pastor!
- Your pastor is another human being who has needs. He needs your prayers to keep energized as he continues to serve the Lord.
- Encourage your pastor
- Some good words can help to make a difference in the life of your pastor.
- Have some words of encouragement for your pastor whenever you get the chance.
- Provide for your pastor
- Money and materials can help.
- You may have thought that your little offering cannot make a dent; you might be wrong! Guess what? Your “widow’s mite” may worth a million to your pastor.
- (Remember that any good thing you do to your pastor is technically being done to God).
What You Must Not Do To Your Pastor
- Don’t sabotage the efforts of your pastor.
- Don’t negatively influence his work.
- Keep your mouth shut and don’t say anything whenever you don’t have any positive word.
- Don’t back-stab your pastor
- (Unfortunately, this has to be mentioned among the believers!)
- Understand that your wrong words and back-stabbing can affect the work of God.
- Always remember that words and actions will be rewarded on God’s day of judgment.
- Don’t expect your pastor to always please you in speech and deeds.
- Your pastor is not just a friend; he is your mentor!
- Your pastor is not a motivational speaker; he is God’s messenger.
- Only expect your pastor to tell you the Bible-principle truth.
- Don’t expect your pastor to always say whatever you will like to hear.
- Suck your pride whenever your pastor tells you an inconvenient truth.
Obey the word of God spoken by your pastor so that you can prosper on earth and inherit God’s kingdom.
Respect your pastor, appreciate him, and remember him in prayers.
As you do all the good things discussed in this post, I believe and declare that you shall prosper in all your ways!
Shalom!