Encouraging Your Pastor Today and Always

"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." – Romans 12:9-15, New Living Translation

Imagine with me for a moment…if you had a boss who only told you of the things you were doing wrong and rarely mentioned any of the good work you were doing.  And what if your boss also told you that your personal viewpoints were also wrong? In addition to all of that you felt a weight of being perfect and having it all together no matter what was going on.

But you couldn’t just leave because you knew this was where God placed you and called you to be…?

These are things that many times are exactly what pastors face in a regular year.  Now mix in the last few years and the challenges that we have faced – a global pandemic causing churches to close their doors, the financial difficulties that comes with that, limited (& masked) capacity when services resumed, & opinions on how things were handled while not knowing when or if “normal” will return, racial tensions throughout the country, and political viewpoints.  All while dealing with all the normal things we face each day.

Many pastors had to figure out new ways to get their sermons to their congregations, dealing with technology in new ways, and figuring out how and when to resume services.  All while still sharing the hope-filled message of who Jesus is in this season where many feel as there is no hope. Even now, with churches back in person and things back to a sense of normalcy, the challenges haven't ended.

This isn’t a tale so you feel bad for your pastor, but instead a hope that we will all take the opportunities we have to share the love and appreciation we have for them WITH them, as we feel it.  To be the safe place for them that they are for us.  To allow them to admit (& be ok with the admission) that things are hard. To understand that they don’t have all the answers (no one does). And give them the permission to hurt for the “normal” that is no longer what we have.

When God uses them to speak something to your heart, or change the way you see a situation or Scripture, let them know that you care, you see and you appreciate them in this season and all the other seasons.  And I recommend sending it in written form so they can have it to look at when things are especially trying.

Because just like you and me – Pastors need encouragement too.  Not just during Ministry Appreciation Month but all year long.

Looking for more ways to bless your entire ministry team? Check out our entire selection of Ministry Appreciation articles and devotionals to find even more ways to celebrate the month.

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