Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:41 that we will receive a prophet's reward when we receive the prophet and we will receive the righteous man's reward when we receive a righteous man. These are powerful words for the church to live by in regard to their pastor. If a pastor is seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit in his ministry and is sharing the Word of God as directed by the Spirit then he is a prophet, revealing the things of God. If this same pastor is walking in the way of righteousness then he is a righteous man. So often churches are bankrupt spiritually and financially because they are not receiving-honoring-the prophet that Jesus has placed before them in the person of their pastor. Below are some suggestions on how to honor and support your pastor.
First and foremost, pray for your pastor, his ministry, his marriage, his family, and his health. Pastors are under constant spiritual attack by the enemy. Scripture tells us that if you strike the pastor the sheep will flee (Mark 14:27). Pastors are very human with feet of clay and have the same struggles as everyone else. No, their marriages are not perfect and they have rough times like others sitting in the pew. Statistics show that 50% of all pastors marriages will end in divorce with approximately 40% of them having an affair at some point in their ministry. A pastor's child/PK will get in trouble and will not always be the little angel that everyone dreams of having. Often times they get in trouble because of the youth in their own church. Pray against discouragement and that you pastor will be filled with joy and wisdom. Pray for your pastor's health and well being. Just as you are praying blessings there are others praying curses upon the pastor.
Second, honor your pastor's time as he prepares for Sunday and spends time with his family. Many pastoral families miss their dad or mom being at events or even family meals because of emergencies and church obligations. The time with family is precious because children spell love-TIME. Encourage your pastor to take vacations and time off from ministry obligations. As a bi-vocational pastor my average week between my work and the church was ninety hours a week. Even after leaving my career I would average over sixty hours per week doing ministry. To prepare a good sermon can take as much time as twenty hours a week by the time you consider the prayer time, research, preparation, and more time of prayer. Once while at another church I heard someone tell their pastor that all they had to do was work three hours a week what was the big deal. Being a pastor goes way beyond the Sunday morning service into the dark hours of the laboring in prayer for the flock. Pastors are on call twenty-four hours a day every day.
Third, honor your commitments to the church and the pastor. If you say that you are going to do something then follow through and do not leave the pastor holding the bag. One of the things I have noticed as a follower of Jesus is that promises are often hollow and of little value among believers. Let your yes be yes and your no be no.
Fourth, submit to your pastor so that his work may not be a burden but rather a joy (Heb 13:17). None of us agree totally with those that are over us yet we are to submit to their leadership. If you have a problem with something your pastor is doing or has said, then go and talk with him. We may not agree with their rational or methods but we are to support them unless it is against Scripture. Then, if it is a matter of Scripture, then we deal with the issue with grace and love. Too often we share our discontent with others instead of going to the source, which leads to seeds of strife being sown. The lack of submission is one reason we have so many church splits and we are not one as Jesus prayed we should be (John 17).
Finally, be that mighty person of valor for your pastor. Stand in the gap when they are weary and discouraged. Protect them from the daggers of hurtful words. Rebuke those that speak ill of the pastor and his family. Above all love them and show them the same grace Jesus has shown towards each of us. They are men and women that Jesus has given as a gift to the local church, honor them
There are many other things I could write about how to honor and support your pastor. Most of all love them, show grace at all times, pray for them, and stand with them as they participate with you in the expansion of God's kingdom.
If you would like more information on how to honor your pastor please feel free to contact me.
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