My service as a District Superintendent in my denomination is usually fulfilling and encouraging. But there are exceptions. Rhonda and I recently shared two meals with two couples who were “taking a break” from ministry and crushed under the weight of impossible expectations. It’s a growing problem that has resulted in three of my peers taking their own lives and many more suffering from loneliness and depression. God’s people just seem impossible to please these days. These churches usually lack a culture of encouragement and tolerate an abusive minority that resents the thought that pastors are spiritual gifts to the church and need supported, protected, encouraged and strengthened. Not because they are more important than others, but because they are more critical to the church’s mission (1 Cor. 12:22-24). The church may struggle with this concept, but NASA does not. They have long understood the importance of strategic exposure.
For example, not all of the exterior tiles on the Space Shuttle are the same. They vary in cost, thickness, size and materials. The tiles on the belly of the Shuttle require special attention because they are exposed to temperatures that exceed 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit during reentry. Because of this, they cost more and are given a special protective coating of black glass. More resources are also used to design tiles that protect areas that are vulnerable to strikes from space debris. Why? Because if one of those tiles were to be compromised under the fire of reentry, the Shuttle, crew and objective could be lost. In essence, some tiles are prioritized because of their strategic purpose, not because of their individual value. The same thing is true spiritually. The Devil and his cronies are not stupid (1 Peter 5:8). He knows if he can take out your pastor he can do more harm to the church than stopping a random member. Jesus warned the disciples of this tactic in Matthew 26:31 saying, “strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered”.
That is why your pastor faces more extreme and strategically focused attacks from the enemy on his body, soul, mind, family, marriage and finances. Some resent the idea that pastors should receive special honor, appreciation, recognition or care. They argue that everyone in the body is equally important. However, this lethal logic ignores the Biblical realities of spiritual warfare spoken of by Paul saying,
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
Your pastor needs specialized attention because they face more heat, not because they are more important as individuals. So, how can you do that?
1. Pray for your pastor daily. The enemy of your soul wants to destroy you by destroying the spiritual water carriers in your life. To destroy you and your church the Devil will seek to distract and defeat your pastor by attacking everything that is important to them (Zechariah 13:7). Their family, their mind, their body, their children, their spouse, their personal finances and just about every area of their lives will face the heat of reentry (John 10:10). One of the best books I have read on this topic is Jimmy Dodd’s book, Pastors Are People Too. It has a prayer list at the end that is second to none. You can order it here: https://www.amazon.com/…/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_hvaqCbXQHKM…
2. Honor your pastor. Model appreciation for the role they play, the job they do and their willingness to withstand the heat. A mean minority may tell you that honoring pastors is not healthy in this day of equality. However, the Bible contradicts this convenient omission by recognizing the difference between strategic importance and intrinsic value.
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” 1 Timothy 5:17
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Hebrews 13:17
“Acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
3. Encourage and affirm your pastor. It has been my experience that most pastoral discouragement occurs because a silent majority tolerates an abusive minority. Instead of allowing a few “fault finders” to establish a culture of criticism, make it a point to recognize your pastor’s positive contribution to the Kingdom. Make no mistake about it, pastors are imperfect people. However, if their mistakes are celebrated more than their wins, you’re contributing to a culture of fear.
4. Give your pastor rest. Even after landing, it takes several hours for the black tiles on the Space Shuttle to cool down. The same thing is true spiritually for your pastor. Give them margin to rest. Just because you have their cell number is not a good enough reason to use it. Be generous in giving them vacation time that is uninterrupted and refreshing. Don’t unnecessarily intrude upon their day off. Give them the blessing of rest without guilt.
5. Help them heal. NASA knows that some missions are so taxing that tiles must be repaired while in orbit. In the same way, there will be times when your pastor faces discouragement, loss, humiliation, death in the family and even extremely hurtful attacks from immature Christians. When that happens be proactive and patient in determining how much time and resources will be required to help them heal.
6. Be reasonable. Your pastor has a personal life that requires care and maintenance. Remember, they are people too! They need margin to deal with their own personal responsibilities like paying bills, caring for their home, spending time with their family, yard work, balancing their checkbook and personal research on things like retirement planning, bidding insurance rates and personal health. If your high expectations cause them to burn the candle at both ends, no one wins.
So, if you’re reading this, I pray you will remember that your pastor is a gift from God to you (Ephesians 4:11-12). Like the tiles on the Space Shuttle, your pastor takes more heat than you can possibly imagine. That does not mean they are more valuable than you or anyone else. But as NASA knows, it does mean their strategic importance warrants care and deference. Anything else would be a step away from wisdom.