How To Encourage Your Pastor

Your pastor is a gift from God.

I didn't say he is perfect. But he is a gift from God.

Not long ago I heard a man in our church say that he was disappointed with our pastor. "But that's ok," he concluded, "Max Lucado is the guy I turn to when I need some pastoring."

I was at first startled, surprised by this, and then I said, "Max Lucado speaks and writes well, and we can all be thankful for his ministry. But when you're hurting, and need a hospital visit, Max Lucado is not your pastor. Max Lucado doesn't know you, but our pastor is praying for you and will sacrifice his plans to be available to help you out. Our pastor is the pastor God has given to shepherd, instruct, and love you."

Every pastor I know needs encouragement. They bear heavy burdens, deal with the most difficult of situations, and are constantly a target of the enemies of God.

Here are some practical tips for encouraging your pastor:

1. Use words of appreciation and gratitude. Say "thank you" and "God bless you!" often. These counterbalance the streams of criticism and frustration that pastors hear so frequently.

2. Provide practical helps. Look for opportunities to help out. Maybe your pastor needs a date night -- offer to babysit or get a gift card at a restaurant for them. Several men I know have a firm rule that when they're with their pastor, the pastor doesn't pay for anything. I know a mechanic who checks over his pastor's car regularly and helps keep it tuned up for him.

3. Pray for their strength, for wisdom, for protection. Pray especially for their marriages and their children. Let them know you are praying for them. I should have listed this first, because prayer is so important.

4. Participate and serve with the gifts and talents you have. It encourages your pastor when he sees you helping out, providing leadership, cheerfully helping others in ministry work.

5. Share with them how God is working in your life. Your pastor will be tremendously encouraged to hear about the work of God.

What will you do today to encourage your pastor? And tomorrow?