Celebrating our leaders

Mark and Sandra, and Sam and Jolene, became friends while both couples attended Bible college*. All four knew the call of God upon their lives and looked forward to serving in full-time vocational ministry. By the time graduation arrived, both couples had been called to pastoral charges.

A decade later, Mark and Sandra bore the inevitable scars associated with leadership but they continued to serve with fulfillment and purpose. Life wasn’t always easy but it was good and they loved both their congregation and the role into which God had placed them.

Sam and Jolene hadn’t fared as well. Broken in spirit and body and struggling to regain their financial stability, they’d both taken secular jobs. The church, once a vital force in their lives, now represented a place of discouragement and failure.

Scenarios such as these are complex. There are never singular reasons for the disintegration of a life and the finger of blame can never be pointed at one person, one fault, or one experience. All the what-ifs and Christian easy-answers in the world don’t have the power to fully explain the causes and results of discouragement powerful enough to shake the foundations of a person’s calling from God.

There are a few things, however, that can be done to make the difference between a healthy, happy church and congregation and the havoc brought about by broken relationships and broken lives.

October is the month we associate with harvest, Thanksgiving Day, and getting back that extra hour of sleep we sacrificed in the name of Daylight Saving Time (unless, of course, you live in Saskatchewan). It has also been named the month for clergy appreciation. During this month, we have the perfect opportunity to show encouragement and support to those who give us so much all year long.

Pastors themselves provided the content of this list of “gifts”:

1. Give me permission to be human

Answering the call to ministry includes the obligation to live an exemplary life before God and the people. That’s part of the package. But sinless perfection isn’t – not in the life of the pastor and not in the lives of his or her spouse and family.

“Be nice to my wife and kids,” said one pastor. “And respect my day off.” It’s sad that such simple requests have to be voiced.

2. Give me permission to do the job I was called to do

No pastor has heaven’s permission to rule as dictator. Conversely, no individual, family, bank account or church board has the right to tie the hands or silence the message of a godly pastor. The church is not a corporation and the pastor is not merely a paid employee.

On the other hand, the pastor is not a divine CEO and the congregation are not employees. We are family, a body, a bride. Operating under that premise, the prayers and support of the congregation will lead to distinct giftings from those in the pews and powerful declarations from those in the pulpit. Trust, in God and in His appointed under-shepherds, is the characteristic of a healthy church.

3. Give me the courtesy of being the first to hear about my real or perceived faults

There is nothing more diabolical than the “evangelical grapevine.” Have a problem with something your pastor is doing or with something your pastor has said? Be man or woman enough to discuss it with them, and no one else. One other thing, putting gossip into the format of a prayer request doesn’t make it acceptable.

4. Don’t be afraid to encourage me; others will make sure I remain humble

“Don’t tell me you’re praying for me unless you really are,” said another pastor.

Lies about good things are just as much lies as when they are about evil. Encourage your pastor this week by keeping your word in the prayer closet.

Here’s a couple more suggestions: a pair of tickets for a concert, gift certificates for a meal, an evening or afternoon of babysitting, an e-mail or note of thanks, or a gift within your ability to give. Present these things when they are least expected and for no special reason. Don’t worry about the humility issue; there is at least one other person in the congregation who will go out of the way to counteract your efforts.

5. Don’t be afraid to reward me well for my work

Yes, pastors will receive their reward in heaven but there really is nothing wrong with an advance payment here on earth. Want to encourage your pastor and show solid appreciation? Become hilariously generous in attitude and spirit. Never use your bank account as a weapon against God’s servants. Treating tithes and offerings as ransom money is abominable.

Like our other October celebration, Thanksgiving, clergy appreciation needs to be practiced daily. Love your pastor, celebrate their strengths, intercede on behalf of their weaknesses, then enjoy the blessings of God!

* Names have been changed.

Linda Wegner is a freelance writer and speaker. She lives in Powell River, B.C.