Following the Sunday morning worship service, many people in our congregations gather round their table for their Sunday dinner - roast pastor!
Honouring the pastor through prayer and care reveals more about a congregation than it does about the pastor. After all, if we continually 'roast' our pastor, we will never convince others of God's grace and mercy. Showing care and appreciation are the signs of a healthy church, one that wants to exemplify the love and mercy God has shown to us.
Pastors and their families live under incredible pressures, often described as living in a fishbowl, with the entire congregation and community watching every move they make. They're expected to be the ideal family, perfect in every way, always available when needed, always cheerful and always ready with just the right answer!
Those are pretty high expectations, and we are disappointed if a pastor becomes overwhelmed, discouraged, or completely burns out. A word of encouragement could make a huge difference, showing our love and support of the person chosen to lead the congregation. It is an expression of gratitude to God for him.
Appreciating your pastor is more than just an annual event on the calendar. It is more than giving him gifts - although that is a lovely act in itself. You might want to consider actually listening to your pastor's sermons. Apply the truth to your life and then thank him for helping you spiritually. You might want to say 'Amen!' when he makes an important point. You might want to give a good report about him, even bragging in such a way that your friends and relatives might want to attend church just to meet him!
We don't realize how simple, thoughtful gestures can minister to a pastor. Daily he may be dealing with angry, critical or demanding people. His heart is often broken as hurt, disappointment and tragic news are poured out to him. To be the recipient of acts of kindness can be almost overwhelming.
Franklin Thomas is the Pastoral Care Provider for the Eastern Canadian and St. Lawrence Districts of The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. We asked him to share with us how others have cared for him. Here is what he wrote:
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My father had just died. It was my first day back to work. I was swamped! Elmore called and requested an appointment. I asked if he could wait until next week. He could not, but said, "It's OK, Pastor. I will just come and wait until you are free to see me. This is very important and I won't take much of your time." That's exactly how it went down. Elmore walked into my office and hugged me. He explained that he understood this was my first day back and he wanted to pray for me. His prayer was thoughtful and beautiful. I stood enfolded in his arms and wept as he prayed. As quickly as he had come, he was gone. I had never felt so ministered to in my life.
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Ben arrived mid-Sunday afternoon. He said, "Pastor, your sermon this morning was so meaningful to me." He plunked a lovely gift basket in my hands and left.
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Sunday noon after the service, my wife and I were having lunch at Swiss Chalet. A number of church people were also present. As we prepared to leave, the waitress said, "Your meal has been paid for and they left the message, 'Thanks for all you do.'" We have no idea who did that.
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The entire youth group sat in the very front two rows in one church in which I served. They invited new attendees to come and sit with them. Newcomers would say, "When I saw the youth sitting at the front, I knew this was the church for me!" They were a constant source of encouragement to me every Sunday. Their supportive presence never wore off.
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When I was going through a particularly rough period, someone came up to me and said, "Pastor, I believe in you, I support and appreciate you." I have had similar encouragements in anonymous letters. Usually only negative people speak up.
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The first Sunday after vacation, the song leader said, "Let's dedicate this song to the pastor and let him know that we are glad he is back from vacation and we love him."
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One individual went to the Church Board and arranged for me to have an unexpected weekend off. He put keys in my hand to his luxury condo at a beautiful resort. He gave the instructions to go, relax, and forget about us!
By expressing gratitude to the pastor, we demonstrate grace. While our pastors do not demand appreciation, showing them love and forgiveness demonstrates to the community around us that we are a church that wants to follow Christ's example in loving and caring for others.
With information from Rev. Franklin Thomas, Pastoral Care Provider, Eastern Canadian and St. Lawrence Districts
