Care for your pastors, please

As a retired pastor I can now say some things which I might not be able to say if I was still serving in my former position. Fellow Christians and Children of God, please care for your pastors!

Even though I am retired and not working full-time, I still somewhat have my oars in the water of the ship of my Lord’s church. I still volunteer, work part-time, fill in for various pastors who are serving faithfully, and speak with pastors often. These servants can use your love and support right now.

Serving as pastor is always difficult. You see, the word “pastor” means “shepherd.” So, a pastor is called to lead, or to shepherd God’s people. Anyone who leads any group will incur questions about their leadership. In many ways, being a pastor puts a target on the back of the shepherd-leader. I can assure you that pastors I know are all trying, the best they know how, to be faithful to their Lord and Savior, and to care for the sheep of God. They have heard the words of Jesus to Peter, and to all pastors, in John 21. “Feed my lambs . . . Take care of my sheep. . . Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17) They are seeking to help God’s people hear, believe, and follow The Good Shepherd.

However, the real trouble with being a shepherd, or a pastor, is that they care for sheep. Listen to what Isaiah says about the sheep of God. “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way;” (Isaiah 56:6 a) God’s people, His children, His sheep and His lambs, have “turned to their own ways.” We have all acted in sinful rebellion and selfishness. Yet God loved us so much He sent His very Son to save His wandering sheep. You see, the rest of that Isaiah verse tells us about our Lord’s Suffering Servant, our Savior. “ . . . and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 56:6b) Jesus took our guilt, our iniquity, our punishment. He died FOR US, so that those wandering sheep might be saved. (See also Luke 15:1-6) And so, in order to shepherd His wandering, rebellious sheep, God calls people to serve as pastors. Serving as pastor to the wandering sheep of God is not an easy job even in the best of times. And remember, pastors are lambs of our Lord with their own struggles as well.

Unfortunately, there are more struggles for pastors right now. Last week I wrote about the change in our culture which is eating away at Christ’s Church and leading to a decline in the Church’s voice, especially in western civilization. Therefore, what has always been a difficult labor of faith and love, has now become even more difficult. Leading God’s Church can seem like a losing battle. It can be easy to forget that Jesus has won the war. Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 16 about his confession of faith, “on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18). On the night Jesus was betrayed, He assured His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) (See also Romans 8:38-39, 1 John 4:4, Revelation 20:14 – 21:4, etc.) But, even though Jesus is victorious, the fight is difficult and your pastors can be weary and struggling.

Also, in addition to the normal trials of serving as a shepherd of God’s people, and in addition to serving in a time when our culture opposes the work of God in the church, your pastors have now been called to faithfully care for the sheep of God during the time of a pandemic which has turned our culture upside down for the last year. You have perhaps seen how pastors have now learned about online worship and classes, and learn about serving churches where many are staying home in response to the coronavirus. You may realize that your pastors who already worked hard, are now being called on to face this unprecedented challenge, and are working much harder. They wonder if they are making a difference.

I have talked to pastors and heard few of them complain. But I have heard conversations and questions about how to deal with governmental orders concerning COVID. I have heard conversations about how to continue to serve God’s people when you cannot be with many of them in person. I have heard pastors talk about how to be safe during this pandemic, and also how to be faithful to God. Perhaps most discouraging, I’ve heard pastors discuss what to do when the sheep of God disagree with one another on whether or not people should wear a mask.

So, while I have not heard many pastors complain I have observed that pastors are weary and tired. I have seen their frustration, even discouragement, as they labor to faithfully serve God and to serve you.

Therefore, I ask you, PLEASE CARE FOR YOUR PASTORS! Let me encourage you to do the following things. First, please take time daily to pray for your pastor by name, to ask God’s Spirit to strengthen your pastor and your congregation. Please pray for any specific challenges you know your pastor is facing.

Secondly, please let your pastor know that you appreciate their work. Thank them. Give them a word of encouragement. You don’t know how seldom pastors hear such thanks, and how uplifting it can be.

Please also continue to support your church with time, talents, and financial support. Some congregations are doing well during the pandemic, but many are struggling in some ways.

Remember the words of the writer to the Hebrews. “17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. 18 Pray for us.” (Hebrews 13:17-18) While “obey” is the best translation , the root of this Greek word also has the meaning of hearing, or listening. So, “Listen” to your pastors. Pray for them. Thank them. Encourage them. They are answering the call of The Good Shepherd to care for His sheep and His lambs.

Pastoring the church of Jesus is never an easy job. But, it has been more difficult recently. I am sure your pastor would appreciate your prayers and your Christian encouragement, as together you seek to follow and serve our Good Shepherd, Jesus.