5 Gifts that Will Greatly Bless Your Pastor
In this post, I want to share some gifts you can give your pastor.
How’s that for a self-serving post?
Those from the church where I serve as the pastor should read this post knowing I minister to hundreds of pastors every month. In my latest blog survey, over 50 percent of my readers are in vocational ministry. But even more important, only about 10 percent of my readers actually know me personally. So, this is not a personal plea. It’s written for the hopeful benefit of others. Thanks for being the kind of church that—for the most part—protects the pastor.
Most churches love to bless their pastor. I get asked frequently how the church can help me.
To be a pastor of a local church is a privilege and a high honor. But it’s the hardest work I’ve ever done.
Here are five gifts you can give your pastor:
- Your understanding of time
Acts 6:1-2, Ephesians 5:31 (applies to the pastor’s marriage too)
The pastor needs time away from the ministerial responsibilities and activities of the church so that he can commit time to his family and to the ministry of the Word of God. Every activity done in the church is important, according to God’s Word, but the primary responsibility of the pastor is to teach God’s Word. I have witnessed so many pastors who burn out because too many demands are placed upon them. If there is a social or an activity in the church or among its people, most people expect the pastor to always be there. There is often little consideration of the fact that the pastor needs time with his family; and certainly, time to prepare the message of God’s Word.
If you want your pastor to be prepared to deliver God’s message of the week to you, and if you want his family to be strong enough that he can model family life for you, then give him time alone with God during the week. Make sure he has time to study and for his family. Too many demands on his time will make a very stressed out pastor!
- Your financial partnership
1 Corinthians 9:11-12
Your pastor needs to be personally supported financially and needs your partnership in funding the mission of the church.
I haven’t met any strong, biblical pastors who don’t realize that the ministry is a sacrifice. Most pastors don’t expect to be wealthy. Most pastors know that the ministry is a life of faith, even in the area of finances. They shouldn’t, however, have to beg for support. The burden of support should be on those receiving the ministry.
Operating any size church takes resources. The stress of “fundraising” on a pastor usually is outside of their comfort zone and expertise. What a blessing it is to a pastor when people willingly sacrifice to fund the vision!
- Your personal support
2 Timothy 4:16-17
Paul knew what it felt like to feel all alone. It’s a scary feeling. Many pastors today know that feeling. Of course, God is “our refuge and strength and ever-present help in time of trouble,” but the pastor needs to know that he has the support of a few people. There need to be some people he can always depend on to encourage him in his daily walk with the Lord.
I want you to know that being a pastor is sometimes a lonely place to be. God has given us human relationships in order that we might provide physical strength and encouragement to each other to help us along life’s journey. The pastor often feels left out of this plan. Please don’t let that happen to your pastor!
If your pastor has an idea for the church, support him unless you have a better idea or what the pastor is proposing is unbiblical. Be willing to not only voice your support but provide physical, financial and moral support to the pastor’s plan. Be a physical encourager by complimenting the pastor, praying for him, sending him an occasional note or email, and simply putting an arm around him and saying “thanks.” Don’t forget to encourage his family as well.
Our pastors need our support. They need to know we care. They need encouragement. There has never been a more stressful time to be a pastor than in the world today. Tell yours you care about him (or her) today!
- Your unconditional love
Philemon 7
Your pastor needs you to love him … even when he makes mistakes.
Do you love your pastor? Do you thank God for the person God has sent to lead your church? Here’s a more important question: Does your pastor know of your love?
By the way, that will be evidenced by your actions more than your words.
I can tell you that there are many pastors today that wonder if anyone cares for them. Most pastors hear far more complaints than they hear encouragement. Everyone always shares burdens with the pastor, but few people stop just to share the love with their pastor.
Have you figured out yet that your pastor is not perfect? Your pastor is a flawed individual, just like you are, who God has appointed to shepherd your church. Many times they didn’t even ask God for the assignment but are simply trying to be obedient to God’s call upon their life. Can’t you just love a person like that? They may have put their career objectives on hold just so they could do God’s will and minister to you! Have you ever thought about it like that?
Why not think of how you can show your love for your pastor today?
- Your growth spiritually
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
The greatest compliment you can give to your pastor is to personally be growing spiritually. If you want to really get your pastor excited, let them see you excited about your relationship with Christ.
The pastor’s job is to help you become more like Jesus. A pastor is assigned by God to shepherd the church, equipping the saints to do the work of the church. The pastor is not the doer as much as the equipper. (If that’s not a word let’s make it one.) The pastor should be building people who are doing God’s work in the church, the community and around the world.
That’s the pastor’s part, but how is the pastor successful in their work?
When people are doing their part: growing in the Lord, doing the work of the church. The catch is this. The pastor can’t make you do your part. They can’t force you to be molded into the image of Christ. They can’t demand that you obey the Word of God. They can only encourage, teach, pray and lead by example, but you’ll never be made to do what you are not willing to do.
Give your pastor a great gift. Grow in your Christian walk!