I recently read a book that completely changed my thinking about what it means to support my pastor. For the first time in my life I am attending a church where my pastors are accessible, open, and available. I was raised in a denominational church where the pastor changed every few years. Although I left with the pastor (he was my dad), most people made the commitment to the church and to supporting it rather than to supporting the pastor. My views on how to support, encourage, equip, enable, and defend my pastor have changed a lot over the few months I have been a part of my church. I now know that church is so much more than the programs and the calendar, but is all about the people and the pastor affects every person that comes through the church doors.
Here are a few quotes from the book (You Can Make a Difference in Your Pastor’s Life Shoulder to Shoulder by Dan Reiland):
“Risks must be taken for the church to grow. In your pastor’s attempts to grow the church he will make mistakes. The bigger the church, the bigger the impact of the mistakes. But all pastors make them. The best pastors make them regularly and admit them freely. The key is in not making the same mistake over and over again. If a pastor is not making many mistakes, he’s not taking enough risks. You can support your pastor by encouraging him to make a few mistakes this month! Laugh about them, and learn from them together. Pastors tend to report success quicker than failures, but you can make a difference by letting your pastor know you realize he is human.”
“How committed to your church are you? Your church needs you to help it become better. Commitment is necessary for your own spiritual growth as well is the growth of your church. Your pastor needs your commitment and support in order to fulfill the great commission of Matthew 28 – to go and make disciples.”
“Your pastor is your “spiritual coach.” He is responsible to cast vision, motivate, teach spiritual truths, train you in the basics of your faith, and show you how to fit on the ministry team. Your job is to get off the bench by getting in the game.” “What is nonnegotiable is whether or not you are part of the team. You are on the team-congratulations! Now the question is, will you spend it on the sidelines or in the game?”
Are you praying for your pastor? Are you committed to your church, pastor, and God in a way that supports your pastor? As you pray for your pastor God will change and grow your heart. I have a picture of my pastors on my desk to remind me to pray for them every day. I have made that commitment and have even told one of them that I am committed to supporting him through daily prayer. Nothing has changed my heart and commitment to my church more than praying for and supporting my pastors. It has been such a blessing for me. I can only hope it is a blessing for them too.
