By Thom Rainer |
It is a simple question.
What do you hear from your church members that gives you
the greatest encouragement?
The responses from the pastors were amazingly similar. In
fact, I was able to focus on ten specific areas. Here are summary statements of
those areas.
1.
“I pray for you every day.” This
statement was the most frequent. Read it carefully. It’s not just prayer; it’s
daily prayer. The pastor understands ministry is spiritual warfare. The pastor
understands prayer is one of the greatest weapons in the warfare.
2.
“I want to help your family any way I
can.” Most pastors are stressed and stretched. So are
their families. When a church member offers to support and help the family, the
pastor feels like shouting for joy.
3.
“I want you to know specifically how God
spoke to me through your sermon.” The key word here is
“specifically.” It’s not a lot of encouragement if a church member says
perfunctorily “good sermon.” Let the pastor know the specific meaning and
application to you from the sermon.
4.
“I am ready and willing to take on that
ministry task.” Pastors take great joy when a church member
understands that ministry is to be done by the members, that the pastor is not
the hired hand to do it all.
5.
“I see my role as an encourager.” Pastors
need numbers of people who will take on the Barnabas role. The critics will
always be there.
6.
“I see my role as one who will confront
the bullies and the perpetual critics in the church.” I have
heard from countless pastors that it’s not the critics who bother them as much
as the “friends” who will not speak up and to the critics and church bullies.
7.
“I will make certain your family has an
adequate income.” One of the great stressors on pastors is
financial worry. It is such a relief and joy when a church member takes the
role of financial advocate for the pastor.
8.
“I am available to babysit your kids.” Pastors
with young kids relish a husband-wife date night. Many of them are unable to go
out because they can’t find or afford babysitters.
9.
“I will be in church with no excuses
unless providentially hindered.” Pastors hear plenty of
excuses. It is a refreshing change for them to hear from a no-excuse church
member.
10.
“I will never compare you to a previous
pastor.” Yep, pastors cringe when they hear, “Pastor
Bill used to do it this way.” Let your pastors know they have their own
identity, and that previous pastors are not a scorecard against which they are
measured.
I would love to hear from church members, church staff, and
pastors how they could add to this list.
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