Before each flight, the attendants warn passengers, “In the unlikely event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, oxygen masks will deploy from the panel above your head. Please put your own mask on first before assisting others.”
Travelers must be okay before they can help others. I think of pastors that way, too. They take care of many people, but who cares for them? Without pastors, churches begin to fade away. Without churches, our colleges will dwindle, along with funding for missions, students, missionaries, and church planters. It is important to value our pastors! How do we do that?
Pray for and thank God for your pastor (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2). When you pray for your pastor regularly, you are more likely to notice a need. It is also unlikely your pastor will be effective without your prayers. Moses’ intercession for Israel during the battle with the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16) is a good example. Without prayer, battles will be lost (Ephesians 6:12-18).
Give faithfully. Congregations share the responsibility to meet the financial needs of the church. Encourage others to give by sharing about the importance of tithes and offerings (Malachi 3:10). Pay your pastor as well as you can, remembering inflation impacts him, too. Also think about his future by supporting his retirement through Richland Ave Financial. Consider the housing needs of your pastor, especially if his family lives in a parsonage. Help him prepare to purchase a home in retirement. Help others be mindful that we do not want to be guilty of failing to support the pastor (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
Brag on him. Tell friends, neighbors, and co-workers about your pastor (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13). Retell his stories. Share a great sermon quote on social media. Honor the one who is there for you in the good times and the bad (Romans 13:7).
Be a joy to pastor (Hebrews 13:7). A common complaint from church hoppers is, “I’m just not being fed.” Scripture describes these people in Hebrews 5:12-14. Rather than seeking to be served, get busy serving! Show up at church with a smile (Proverbs 15:13). Bite your tongue and avoid complaining on Sunday morning. When you do share concerns, balance criticism with praise, and identify ways you can help.
Help your pastor fulfill his calling. Start by inviting others to church and sharing your testimony. Advance the gospel. Read the pastoral epistles and note the job descriptions
of pastors. Think of ways to help your pastor preach the Word and fulfill your role in building a healthy church (Acts 2:42-47).
Give him a break. Help your pastor have Sabbath rest, noting even Jesus encountered times when He had to get away (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16, 6:12).
Value pastoral candidates. If your church is making disciples, a future pastor is likely in your midst. Look for men who meet the criteria of 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Encourage them to follow God’s leading.
Tell them what you see in them. As a teen, someone in our church gave me Spurgeon’s Lectures, another the New Testament for Christian Workers, and yet another Unger’s Bible Handbook. Some simply asked, “Are you called to preach?”
I am thankful my church taught me the value of being a pastor. It’s time for us to value pastors.
