You are my pastor. You are not perfect. You get frustrated like everyone else. You don’t always say exactly what you should say. You do indeed make some mistakes. On that reality you readily agree.
But your imperfections are often magnified in the light of your leadership role. When you please one congregant, you often displease another. You can’t make everyone happy, and you hear criticisms more times than most of us could endure.
You Are My Pastor Who Loves
Despite your imperfections and the critics who vocalize them, you still love the people in the church you serve. You sat by that man whose surgery was a matter of life and death. You gave him the assurance that God would be with him. Your presence gave him the calm and peace he needed to come through the procedure safely.
You also met with that homeless man who came to the church. You could have ignored him, but you saw him as one of “the least of these.” You ministered to him. You gave him food. You found a place for him to stay. And you shared the gospel of Christ with him.
You are my pastor who takes calls in the middle of the night. You were awakened abruptly by the teenager’s parents when he was in the terrible automobile accident. You arrived at the hospital in time for his mom and dad to fall on your shoulders when the doctor said he didn’t make it.
They wept. And so did you.
You Are My Pastor Who Preaches
Every week, you must listen to God and study His Word. You work hours to prepare that message. You love the people so much that you want them to hear God’s Word for their lives.
You approach the pulpit pleading with God to speak through you. Even though you have spent hours in sermon preparation, you want the message to be His, not yours.
You Are My Pastor Who Balances
I don’t know how you do it. The demands on your life are endless. Everyone wants you at that function. Everyone wants you in that meeting. Everyone expects you to make that visit. You wonder what it would be like just to work 40 hours a week.
But you have a family that needs you. You often worry that you are neglecting them for the greater family of the church you serve. And at times you do. But somehow you ultimately balance your life so that you can date your wife and watch your kids play ball.
But your life is out of balance because you don’t rest sufficiently. You give your all to others and save little for yourself.
You Are My Pastor Who Is Called
Why do you do it? There are so many jobs where the hours are better, the critics are fewer, and the pay is higher. When you are confronted with that question, you simply smile. You do what you do because you know God has called you to do it. And you know you couldn’t do what you do unless He called you.
You are my pastor.
You have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Let me say it better. You have an impossible job unless God is in it. You therefore depend upon His strength and rest in His call every day.
You are my pastor.
Too often I take you for granted. Too often I tell you what’s wrong instead of telling you how much I love you. Too often I forget that you are a human with feelings that hurt and eyes that cry. Too often I ask you to meet my needs instead of looking to meet yours.
You are my pastor.
I salute you. I thank you. And I pray for you.
May these few words be a reminder to you that we in the church do love you. We do not say it enough, but we love you.
Thank you for being my pastor.
Posted on May 17, 2011
With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
More from Thom
20 Comments
I believe that Pastors are God’s Agent for World Transformation! Just a simple word of Appreciation and Affirmation like this is more than enough for us to be encouraged, to continue with our God given purpose. Thanks a lot Ptr. Thom for this post!
Your post touched my heart. Thank you.
Thanks for the great post. I sent my pastor the link (because it is true about him) and made his day!
Thanks for the words of encouragement that every Pastor would love to hear.
Thanks to all for being such encouragers to pastors.
Ricky –
I am so grateful for your members’ responses. They obviously love their pastor.
I have just sent this to my pastor. Thank you for posting this.
So True.I know this first hand because I am married to a pastor..AKA a 24/7 shepherd, preacher, counselor, referee, administrator, handy man, jack of all trades, and a priceless husband and father.
Thom, one of my church member’s posted this to his fb wall and tagged me and our church. He encouraged others to post and tag also. I have been overwhelmed today from the response. You ministered to me and my family through your powerful, precious words. Thank you.
This is a powerful piece that truly captures the essence of what it’s like to serve in a pastoral staff role. Thank you for using your words to touch hearts and speak life into those who serve.
What a great reminder of all of the extraordinary work our pastors and church staff do. Every church member in the world should read this!
I love my pastors. Your blog entry touches hearts. Blessings.
Your words are a great reminder to me to thank my pastor for all that he does, and to know how much he means to our church and God’s work. I do take him for granted too much. Thank you for this article.