Pastors are under attack today in every denomination and in every country. They are attacked from within their own churches by disgruntled attendees, within their own spirits by our enemy the devil, and from without by those who don’t even attend or aren’t members of the churches pastors have the privilege and responsibility to lead.
It’s no wonder so many pastors are often discouraged, exhausted, frustrated, and in their minds (if not in actuality) have tendered their resignations. Pastors move from church to church or from church to another line of work at an alarming rate. Some of this could be greatly reduced if they received more affirmation and encouragement from those they lead, especially those who are younger.
I am well beyond the teens and 20’e (I will be 86 later this month) but in my 57 years of ministry I have worked with lots of young people. Many young adults hang back and stay on the fringes of church, afraid or reluctant to commit themselves. But as young people deliberately support and encourage their pastors, they will identify themselves as those who are on board and positive, and potentially someone whom your pastors can begin to invest in.
Today’s pastors (and other leaders) need to focus on developing the next generation of leaders in their respective churches because young adults are the future of the church.
It is, therefore, incumbent on young adults to especially be aware of how they can help, support and encourage their pastors and leaders. Here are some of my ideas on how you can stand behind and alongside the pastors and other leaders God has allowed to lead the church you call home:
—> 1. Pray For Your Pastors
Undoubtedly, the most important thing you can do to help your pastors be fruitful and effective in their roles is to pray for them. You can use passages such asEphesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 3:14-20 and Colossians 1:9-12 to pray for your pastors and other leaders.
- Pray for them daily.
- Pray the Lord will give them wisdom in their various responsibilities.
- Pray for their role in the family
- Pray the Lord will protect them in the area of sexual purity.
- Pray they will experience courage and anointing preaching/teaching.
- Pray they would be able to strike a good balance between ministry, family and personal life.
—> 2. Encourage Your Pastors
Lots of people will criticize and find fault. They will both email them and talk to them (and about them) in discouraging ways. You can be one of those who look for ways, and reasons, to encourage them — to focus on the positive, not the negative.
Tell them what you appreciate about their ministry, and be specific. What have they recently done or said that you have profited from? After they preach/teach, go out of your way to tell them how it has blessed you
A pastor’s teaching/preaching help many, but few tell them specifically how they have been a help and blessing.
Every once in a while, write a personal note telling them you are praying for them and appreciate something they have said or done. Once again, be specific. For example, “When you said in a recent sermon that Jesus totally understands me and deeply loves me, that ministered to me because I am going through a difficult time right now and feeling lonely, and that is exactly what I needed to hear.”
—> 3. Submit To Your Pastors Leadership.
The Bible is clear on the topic of being willing to submit to the authority in the church you have chosen to be a part of. (I am not suggesting, nor does the Bible suggest, that you submit to ungodly or abusive leaders.) Here are two such passages talking about submitting, respecting and following your leaders.
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves” (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13).
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
By being a regular attender/member at your church, you are placing yourself in a position to be taught, shepherded, led, and discipled by your church’s pastors and other leaders. It is an awesome step to accept God’s call to be a pastor and to take seriously the roles and responsibilities that such a call entails. You should be able to trust, believe in, and submit to those the Lord has placed in authority over you. If you can’t do this, you need to address this issue, and in extreme cases, leave if you can no longer respect and trust the leadership over you; more on this in point six.
—> 4. Get To Know Your Pastors
Pastors, at times, have a lonely job. Many people instead of giving wind up taking from their pastors — taking their time, energy, resources, wisdom and counsel. It is refreshing and encouraging to know that people in the church family really care about them, pray for them, and really want to get to know them not so they can not just receive, but so that they can give.
Why not call the church office to schedule some time with your one of your pastors or leaders and offer to take them to lunch at their favorite restaurant? Ask them to tell you their story, how God saved them, called them into ministry and is currently leading them. I can guarantee you that they will appreciate this and be a better leaders as a result of your initiative.
—> 5. Ask How You Can Serve Your Pastors and Your Church
Are you currently serving at your church? If you are serving, are you able to step it up a notch? Give more time or volunteer somewhere else where needed?
I have never been in a church that had all the servants and leaders it needed and wanted. One of the best ways to grow personally, and at the same time help your church grow, is to find a place where your gifts, capacity and interests can make a unique contribution to what Jesus wants to do through you and through your church. If you are not serving in some capacity, please do so, leaving the ranks of the consumers and joining the ranks of the contributors.
—> 6. Talk Honestly To, Not About Your Pastors
If there is something that you honestly have a problem with; some decision made, something written or said that you disagree with — please talk to them, not about them
This is one of the big sins in the body of Christ. We talk about people, but not to people.
Most pastors and leaders genuinely want to hear from people who have issues or questions with something at the church. Most would relish the opportunity to genuinely hear what is bothering you and to have the chance to both truly listen concerning your issue so the two of you can have mutual understanding and respect for each other.
Talking about others rather than talking to others is gossip pure and simple, and it never makes things better, only worse. The book of Proverbs is loaded with words of warning about gossip. Here are a few for starters: Proverbs 11:13, 17:9, 18:8, 20:19.
There are a lots of other things that could be said, but I will stop with these six. Let me say it again, “Your pastors need YOU!”
Most pastors want to be relevant to the younger generation and know that they can positively influence them for the kingdom. They need your support, prayers, honest feedback and involvement to do this well. As you do this, you will experience more joy and personal growth in your walk with Jesus, your pastors will be more motivated and become better leaders, and Jesus will be honored.
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