And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding” (Jer. 3:15).
“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 Thess. 5:12–13).
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke and exhort with complete patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2).
“In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel” (1 Cor. 9:14).
Sometimes we forget the role of pastor is a God-given role. It is not a human creation. God’s Word establishes the office. God’s Word provides guidance for how a pastor functions. God’s Word also teaches how one is to relate to their pastor.
Baptists generally expect their pastor to be an evangelist guiding people to repentance and faith in God through Jesus Christ. A pastor is to be a preacher proudly proclaiming God’s message to the congregation. In addition, the pastor is to be a teacher leading people into a deeper relationship with God and a broader understanding of His Word.
Baptists generally expect their pastor to be a caregiver. This may be expressed in pastoral counseling, through comforting people in times of crisis and through visitation with sick or the homebound. The pastor represents the loving presence of God during special events often called rites of passage — times like baptisms, weddings and funerals. The pastor voices the demands of God to the wayward.
Baptists generally expect their pastor “to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Eph. 4:12). Included in this broad statement is everything from planning training events to individual mentoring to administering the church in an effective manner.
Baptists generally expect their pastor to take the lead in missions efforts and social outreach programs. The pastor may be expected to provide the theological undergirding, to recruit the volunteers and to lead the effort.
Baptists generally expect their pastor to be an ambassador for that particular congregation. The pastor is the church’s representative in the community whether at a social occasion, a service club or a political meeting. As no other human being, the pastor embodies the identity of the church.
In some cases Baptists even expect their pastors to be secretaries, janitors, chauffeurs and repairmen.
Is it any wonder that according to a survey done by the Fuller Institute of Church Growth, 70 percent of pastors have lower self-esteem now compared to when they started in ministry?
The multitude of roles expected of a pastor is crushing. The pastor is always changing hats, as it were. One moment he is an evangelist, the next he is a counselor. In one conversation he is a supervisor, in the next a committee member.
Skills for the various roles may not overlap. Perhaps that is why Ephesians 4 lists evangelists and pastor-teacher as separate gifts to the church, but Baptists have bound them together in their expectations of pastors. Being an ambassador for the church in a social setting may require different skills than repairing broken equipment in the church office. No one can do everything that is required.
And there is never enough time. There are always people who need a word from the Lord. There are always sermons to prepare and programs to lead. There are always meetings to attend. And there are always the needs of the pastor’s family, many of which are subordinated to the demands of the church.
Again the Fuller Institute survey provides insights into the emotional condition of pastors. Ninety percent reported feeling inadequately trained to cope with the demands of ministry. Fifty percent confessed they felt personally unable to meet the needs of their calling as pastor. Seventy percent said they had no one they considered a close friend.
Churches, especially Baptist churches, are good at holding pastors accountable for their work. Evidently, we are not so good at providing encouragement in the work. Maybe that is one reason why about 1,500 pastors, on average, leave the ministry every month in the United States, according to Peacemaker Ministries.
Because October is recognized as Minister Appreciation Month, it is a wonderful opportunity to encourage your pastor and other staff ministers. Help your pastor know he is not alone in the work of the church. Every pastor longs for others to walk alongside him in doing the work of ministry. It is not to get someone else to do his job. It is “to prepare God’s people for works of service.” It is to multiply resources. It is to have trusted friends involved in encouraging, teaching and leading. It is to focus God-given talents in areas where those gifts are most needed and most appropriate. It is to allow people to work from their strengths and not from their weaknesses.
Every pastor longs for a church where he knows that his ministry is not at risk every time he preaches a sermon that is not popular or takes a stand on a social issue with which others disagree. Pastors live with criticism and with risk like few others. Every sermon invites criticism. Every stand against sin involves risk: risk of ministry, of reputation, of financial support.
Every pastor wants to know if he can fail and still be loved. Can he disagree and still be pastor?
Minister Appreciation Month gives individuals and churches an opportunity to affirm the pastor and other ministers in their calling and in their service. It is an important time. After all, it is the churches that allowed circumstances to develop where most pastors feel inadequate, unprepared and alone in their ministries. Now it is up to the churches to change that perception. That can begin by expressing appreciation to your pastor during this special month.
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