October is traditionally Pastors Appreciation Month, and it is good to have a dedicated time to honor those who will give an account for the souls of those in their congregation. I am sure that pastors are grateful for the cards and gifts that they receive this time of year, and as Scripture states, we should be generous to those who are members of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10) and this definitely, and especially, includes our leaders (I Timothy 5:17).
However, I would venture to guess that more than the notes of appreciation that they get every October, most, if not all pastors, would rather that they serve a congregation who makes their job a joy. After all, they are spending and being spent for the sake of the Gospel (2 Cor. 12:15)! How wonderful would it be that as they do so, as they spend their days serving, teaching, encouraging and supporting the body of Christ, that they could delight in that work? And while it is true that this work is worthy of delight simply because it is the work that God has called them to do, as members of a local church we can either intensify or detract from the joy that they experience. As Christians who desire to honor Christ in all we do, we should desire that we would be individuals who show our love to God by loving well those He has given the stewardship of our care. How can we do that? Here are four suggestions on how to make your pastor’s job a joy.
1. Apply God’s Word to your life
A good pastor spends a considerable amount of time studying God’s Word in order that they might effectively teach it to their flock. This time of preparation can be isolating as well as challenging. However, they labor diligently in this endeavor because they know that the Word of God has the power to transform lives (Heb. 4:12). When they teach us, we should strive to put the truth that they have taught from Scripture into practice in our lives – not “someday” but today! The book of James instructs us to not be merely hearers of the Word but to do what it says (James 1:22). A loving pastor wants his congregation to apply God’s Word to their lives because they know it honors God and they know it is for their congegration’s good. Therefore, every time we hear the Scripture taught, we should prayerfully and immediately consider how God wants us to put it into practice. In doing so, we not only are conformed into greater Christlikeness, but we bring joy to those who have labored to biblically instruct us from the Word of God.
2. Pray for them
When they stand before Jesus, pastors will give an account for how they stewarded the souls of those that God entrusted to them (James 3:1). This is a heavy and significant responsibility. It comes with challenges and the Enemy would love it if he could distract a pastor from doing their job well. If we want to make our pastor’s job a joy, we should be regularly lifting them up to the Heavenly Father. We should pray that they would be faithful in their tasks. We should pray for their family. We should pray that the Enemy’s plans would be thwarted, and that God would strengthen them for the work that He has called them to do. God works through the lives and sacrifice of our church leaders for our good. We should be regularly and earnestly asking God to give them all that they need for “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) in order that they might not only do their job well, but that they may find delight in their work.
3. Encourage them specifically
Pastors often are the first people that hear the complaints and concerns of those in their congregation. They bear the burdens of those in their flock and this can be a heavy load to bear. While the Holy Spirit can and does strengthen them for their task, if we want to make our pastor’s job a joy, we should do all that we can to “spur them on to love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). This means that we should encourage them in specific and intentional ways. It is one thing to say “I liked your sermon today” and I am sure they would rather hear that than a mean-spirited critique. However, it is another thing to tell them the specific illustration or point that they made which God used to equip and encourage you in your Christian walk. As much as possible, let’s be specific in our encouragement so that our pastors know we aren’t sharing platitudes but genuine ways that God has used them in our lives. If we can’t think of a specific encouragement to share, we can always share with them the specific ways that we are praying for them (see Point 2 above). This will assuredly motivate them in their service to the Lord!
4. Resist the urge to complain
Since pastors are often the first to hear of the concerns and critiques, we should do our best to resist the urge to add to the chorus by airing our complaints. Of course, this doesn’t mean that if there is an issue of sin, we do not follow the appropriate steps to get it addressed (Matthew 18:15-18). However, too often I fear we conflate “preference” with “error.” Just because I wish that other decisions were made or that things were done in a different way, does not mean that this is a grievance that needs to be shared. Instead, when the concern is about what we desire or what we prefer, we should first prayerfully bring it before God. In my experience, most of the time, when I talk to God about it first, I find that the issue was really about what was going on in my heart, and not something that needs to be addressed on a larger scale. Let’s major on the major and minor on the minors when it comes to perceived issues that we have with our church. No family is perfect and that includes the family of God (at least this side of Heaven). If we do need to bring a concern forward, let’s make sure we are motivated by what is for the benefit of others and for the glory of Christ’s name – and not merely or primarily by our own interests and pursuits.
5. Strive for unity
Growing up, whenever my sister and I asked my mom what she wanted for a birthday or Christmas gift, she would say that she wanted “two kids who got along.” As a parent, I now understand why that was at the forefront of her heart and mind. Division can be devastating to a family, and this includes the family of God. Therefore we should strive for unity – to be of one heart and one mind as we serve our one Savior. Not only does Scripture tell us that this is a good thing (Psalm 133:1) but it always will bring joy to those who are leading our specific body of believers. Sometimes this may mean that we need to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11), or to recognize that love covers a multitude of sin (1 Peter 4:8). Sometimes this may mean that we need to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). because we need to heal divisions that are being perpetuated. Again, if there are Scriptural, moral or legal issues that need to be addressed, these could rightly be the basis for dividing and should be prayerfully and biblically brought to light. However, far too often there is division in churches for far lesser things. Let’s not consider ourselves more highly than we ought (Ro. 12:3), and let’s do what we can to live at peace with all men (Ro. 12:18) especially those who attend the same church.
It is appropriate and good to show our pastors appreciation in the month of October. However, just because we do so this month, let’s not neglect to show them appreciation all year long by making their jobs a joy. As we do so, God will be honored, our pastors will be encouraged, and the Church will shine ever brighter for the sake of the Gospel, to the glory of Jesus’ name.
