1 Timothy 5:17 (HCSB)
17 The elders (pastors) who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
1 Timothy 5:17 (NKJV)
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
I recently attended an installation service; it was awesome! The pastor and his wife were honored and charged. The church was charged. I came away with a new sense of awareness of the church’s responsibility to its pastor; and the pastor’s responsibility to God.
We often forget that our pastors do not work for the people; theirs is a higher calling.
The visiting pastors that preached the charges brought out several very weighty facts.
First of all, the pastor is NOT a hired servant. We don’t have to agree with our pastors; we aren’t God. We don’t know what God has told that leader; we are to follow and support. If the pastor goes the wrong way it will be between him and God. Unless your pastor is behaving in an immoral way, you have no opinion. Instead you have a responsibility to God’s anointed.
In John 17, Jesus prayed for Himself, the inner circle, and then all believers. In verse 20, He told us that for those who walk by faith, He will make the way plain.
The pastor is to be strong and brave (Joshua 1:9); don’t be afraid. That means afraid of people or circumstances.
The pastor is to lead the people; feed the people; be a follower of the Word. If the pastor will do these things, the pastor will be successful. And if the people do not follow, the pastor must keep leading.
The church can fail – even with a good leader. Jesus was a good leader but the church let Him down. He was alone on Calvary. He was deserted and mocked and denied. But He was a perfect leader.
The church should not take its pastor for granted. If you can’t and won’t take care of your pastor the way the Scripture says you should, then God will give him to someone else who will honor him.
The church should listen to its pastor. He is listening to God.
The church should learn from its pastor. We call a man because he has time to study and learn things that we do not. Then if we don’t like what he teaches us, we just disregard it. This is called sin. Learn from your pastor.
The church should follow and support its pastor. So many times a church calls a pastor and they say, “All we need is a leader.” But then when the man gets on the field and tries to lead, the church is no where to be found. They often don’t care what the pastor does, just don’t expect them to get involved. Or they fight him on every issue. They want a figurehead, not a leader.
Pray for your pastor. When you called him, you agreed to pray for him. Scripture mandates that you pray; he needs your prayer.
Love your pastor. Read I Corinthians and ask yourself: Do I love my pastor? Love is an active word. Love is not just patting him on the back and saying, “I love you.” Really love your pastor in a sacrificial way. Give him your time and be sure his needs are being met.
After 30 years of being married to a pastor and serving in several different churches, I would personally ask that you remember that your pastor is a man with human feelings. He cries and grieves and is hurt in the same ways that you are. His is not an easy calling. He is always there for the people, but there is often no one with flesh on for him to turn to for comfort. The biggest gift you can give your pastor is your prayers and your support. He needs to hear that he is doing a good job; or that you love him. He is not a superhuman; he bleeds and grieves in the same way that you do. Discouragement is often a part of his world. We are so quick to judge and criticize. Don’t be part of the problem; be part of the solution.
“Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.”
God will honor you for honoring your pastor.
**Lord Jesus, bless Pastor ______________. Show me if there are ways in which I am not supporting my pastor. (Listen) Help me to honor You, Lord, by honoring my pastor. Forgive me for listening to – or encouraging – gossip or criticism. I want to be a productive member of my church. Amen.
