BEING A PASTOR IS NOT AN EASY TASK. SOME PASTORS SUPPORT SMALL CONGREGATIONS WHILE OTHERS CARE FOR LARGE CONGREGATIONS. ALL PASTORS NEED ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT FROM THEIR CHURCH MEMBERS AND ESPECIALLY FROM CHURCH ELDERS. AS AN ELDER, YOU MAY HAVE WANTED TO SUPPORT YOUR PASTOR BUT BEEN UNSURE OF HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO SUPPORT YOUR PASTOR.
Pray for your pastor. Pastors and other church leaders face the most dangerous attacks from the enemy, the devil. The devil knows that to scatter the flock, he must first deal with its shepherd. That explains why most of Satan’s arrows target church leaders and pastors. It is therefore important that you, the church elder, stand in the gap and pray for your pastor’s protection. Remember that most pastors pray for their church, its members, and God’s work, but sometimes they forget to pray for themselves. That is where you come in. Remember your pastor in your daily devotions.
Visit and encourage your pastor. Take time to visit your pastor’s home, office, and Web site(s). Let your mouth speak encouragement to this humble servant of God. Pastors need to feel appreciated as they commit their lives to the work of God. Write a thank-you note for a sermon that spoke to your heart. Bring a surprise gift to the church office. Pastors who receive encouragement from their congregations appreciate this affirmation and are grateful to know that they do not labor in vain.
Run with their vision. Pastors carry the vision of the church, and they need your support. If your pastor comes up with an idea for a new project on the church premises, embrace the vision and provide what is needed. When the project is completed, the whole church benefits, and God is exalted. Pastors should not struggle alone; church elders are there to embrace and support their pastor’s visions.
Speak well of your pastor. Whenever you open your mouth to speak about your pastor, be positive. Let people know your pastor by the good reports you give. “Do not touch my anointed ones, do my prophet no harm,” says the Lord of hosts (Ps. 105:15). Speak ill of God’s servants at your own risk. But if you speak well of these servants of God, you can be assured of blessings.
What a wonderful supporting ministry you can provide for your pastor. You can make a difference in your pastor’s work and in his or her personal life. Think about that!
Jonas Arrais General Conference Associate Ministerial Secretary
