Lifting those who lift you

Pastors have a hard job. I certainly wouldn’t want to be one unless God specifically told me to do so.

Not only do they have to prepare the Sunday message, they have to constantly deal with the people within the church.

And on top of taking the burden of their people’s problems, they inevitably have to deal with complaints and criticisms along the way.

I doubt there is a church that exists where all the people are satisfied with their pastor and their church.

Our pastors have their own load to bear, the load Christ has given them in leading the church, but also in leading their families as well.

And with all the complaints and criticisms that get heaped on beyond that, that load can swiftly turn into overload.

I think Paul recognized that. And so while he told the Galatians that each person needs to carry their own load, he swiftly went on to say,

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. (Galatians 6:6)

In other words, our pastors and teachers feed us spiritually and lift us up. But they too need support with their burdens as well. So let us provide that support in whatever way we can.

Certainly, we should be providing financial support so that they can support themselves and their families, giving them the ability to focus on the load God has put on them to lead the church.

But I also think we need to share our words of encouragement and our prayers for them as well.

It’s so easy to see our pastors as super-Christians. To forget that they are just human as we are and need support just as we do. I forget that too sometimes.

So let us make a conscious effort to lift up our pastors. To pray for them, and let them know that we are doing so. To email them, or better yet, call them with a word of encouragement.

In short, let us be a blessing to our pastors.

How about you? Are you a blessing to your pastor?