Being a pastor is not an easy job. It includes long days and nights of preparing sermons, counseling the hurting and praying for the congregation. Pastors and their families live under incredible pressures. Their lives are played out in a fishbowl, with the entire congregation and community watching their every move. They are expected to have ideal families, to be perfect people, to always be available, to never be down and to have all the answers we need to keep our own lives stable and moving forward. Those are unrealistic expectations to place on anyone, yet most of us are disappointed when a pastor becomes overwhelmed, seems depressed, lets us down or completely burns out.
The following statistics from a recent survey of pastors should cause us all to appreciate the enormous pressure our church leaders are under:
84 percent say they’re on call 24 hours a day
80 percent expect conflict in their church
54 percent find the role of pastor frequently overwhelming
53 percent are often concerned about their family’s financial security
72% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.
80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families.
65% of pastors feel their family lives in a “glass house” and fear they are not good enough to meet expectations.
78% of pastors report having their vacation and personal time interrupted with ministry duties or expectations.
66% of church members expect a minister and family to live at a higher moral standard than themselves.
50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.
The nature of the service provided by pastors and their families is unique. God has entrusted to them one of the most precious of assignments – the spiritual well-being of His flock. When a pastor becomes ineffective, the very souls of his or her parishioners are endangered. When eternity is in the balance, we should all be concerned.
The good news is that we can make a difference! October is Pastor Appreciation Month and it gives us a unique opportunity to counter the negative erosion in their lives with the positive affirmation they need.
The Bible calls us to honor and encourage those whom God has called to proclaim His message and lead His people. In 1 Timothy, Paul wrote, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Tim. 5:17). And, in 1 Thessalonians, he said, “Respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” (1 Thess. 5:12-13).
The congregation that doesn’t say, “Thank you,” in practical ways will almost guarantee limited success. Because a pastor that is appreciated by the majority in his congregation is a pastor that can press forward confidently knowing that his people are with him. A pastor who knows he is loved…is constantly encouraged…filled with excitement, optimism, and courage.
Take time this October and do something special for your pastor. Here are some suggestions that will make your pastor’s life better and should be done not only this month but throughout the year: Stop criticizing every little thing you do not agree with. Ask God to shower your pastor with an abundance of love, hope, joy, faith, peace, power and wisdom. When you hear or see something you like from your minister, write an appreciative note. Volunteer to serve and be an active participant in your church. By serving your shepherds, you will ensure that they will not only be encouraged but will feel appreciated and continue to minister with enthusiasm and energy.
A very successful businessman once said that the keys to his accomplishments were to have a good accountant, a good lawyer, but most importantly to have a good pastor.
During Pastor Appreciation Month, and always, remember that our leaders while here on earth are not angels, they’re only human and can only do so much without your help!