How can I encourage my pastor?

[Grace]

Hi all! God is moving in my church home, and it is tremendously exciting. We have a new Praise Band (please, no comments about our band, this isn't the thread for that.

), people are joining, and there is a new attitude of excitement among our people. However, there is a down side. People have left with hurt feelings because they so vehemently oppose the change (mantra of the SBC: We've never done it that way before) How can I encourage my pastor? He is excited about the growth and the excitement, but at the same time, his heart is hurt over the attitudes of grown adults acting like two year olds fighting over a new toy. I know that I have to pray for the people. God must work in their hearts and either lead them to a new place of worship or change their hearts and lead them back to us. I do want to encourage my pastor though...it has been on my heart lately about how we are blessed with such a wonderful Godly Pastor and Pastor's wife. They go out of their way to show us love, and I wonder sometimes who takes the time to minister to them. I'm a college student, so very short on time and funds...but any idea is appreciated.

Blessings!
Grace

 

[Jim1999]

Grace,
Speak directly to the pastor and his wife and tell the how much you appreciate their presence and love for the Lord. That is the best thing you can say to a pastor. I speak as a retired minister of some 57 years.

Cheers, and God bless,

Jim

 

[TaterTot]

As a pastor's wife, I can tell you that is really means alot to us for someone to tell us that we are appreciated. You cound send a card or talk to them in person. And just being present at church services with an eager heart is truly an encouragement! I am sure they already see this in you!! Keep it up!!
TaterTot

 

[Grace]

Sorry that I posted this in the wrong area. (Blushes with embarassment) I wasn't quite sure..but I opted for the "fellowship forum" instead of the debate forum. LOL

 

[Trotter]

Here's a little something that my wife has started for our pastor (I just hope that he doesn't stumble upon this).

Every once in a while (every couple of months or so), my wife sends our pastor an anonymous gift, signed "Secret Sheep." It is usually something small but significant. She likes to hit LifeWay after a holiday when everything is on sale, and she'll buy several small things. She always includes a nice card that has inspirational verses, and she always adds her own (she is a wonderful poet).

Even though these gifts and cards are not much, it just thrills him to recaive them.

Oh, and my wife doesn't leave out his "First Lady" either. To do so would possibly created jealousy or mistrust since the handwriting is obviously feminine. She always includes the pastor's wife in the card and on the gift(s). Even if it is just a pocket prayer card, she wants them both to know that they are appreciated.

Oh, and as to how it came to be "Secret Sheep"... Our pastor preached on encouragement during a Sunday night service. Only half of the 'regulars' were there. He confessed to being discouraged himself. He spoke of the congregation as "sheep" because of their wandering into all kinds of trouble, but then he said that sometimes a sheep would come to the shepard and nuzzle his hand, like it was saying 'thank you'.

It was obvious that our pastor has really opened his heart to us. Then he saidthat when you encourage someone, it could be done so that the person doesn't know who did it, 'not letting one hand know what the other is doing' type thing. Then he said, "Sort of like a secret sheep nuzzling the shepards hand under the night sky." Thus, she got her alias.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

[Dr. Bob]

On occasion I would get a note on the pulpit saying (roughly) "Pastor, I am praying for you".

That meant more to me than a certificate for a steak dinner (although I wouldn't turn that down) or a new book.

 

[dianetavegia]

Trotter, that is such a wonderful idea! We currently have no senior pastor but have narrowed down the number of 'hopeful's' but we have 4 other ministers. Our Minister of Youth is a GREAT guy! I'm on his 'team' to build our churches new website and Jon just is so neat! Our Minister of Ed and Admin. is doing twice the work with us being without a full time pastor. We've got our Minister of Music and Senior Adults who is trying to please everyone with music of all genre's. Then there is our young Hispanic Minister who has been ill from a botched vasectomy, his wife is due any minute with their 3rd child and her mom who was my age, died unexpectedly of a heart attack just a few months ago.

That just is the sweetest idea!
Diane

 

[Greg Linscott]

All the suggestions are great.

I would just add in (probably goes without saying)- be faithful in attendance, and find a place to serve in the ministry and be faithful in it. It's been said before that 30% of your church membership does 90% of the work!

 

[Grace]

Greg, Thanks. Since I was 16 and able to drive myself, there are only three reasons I'll miss services. 1. I'm too sick to go (running a fever and/or throwing up) 2. I'm out of town (in which case I try to find a church to worship in when I am traveling) and 3. I'm at another church to sing in their worship service.
As for finding a place to serve, lets see...I sing in the choir, and in the praise band. I also play hymns on the piano for Wednesday night so that my gramma can work with the Cubbies.

I agree though, being faithful and serving does encourage my pastor. I just want to do something special for him and his wife. Just to let them know that they are loved and that we are so thankful for them and the love that they show to us.

 

[Helen]

Sincere, written notes are things that can be kept and read again and again when your pastor is down. Short testimonies of the effect he has had upon you or people you know are also treasured.

Most pastors take Mondays off. Have a breakfast basket delivered!

If he wears suits, find out what cleaners he uses and give them a gift certificate to the cleaners.

Get together with a few other members of the congregation and fix them dinners for a week.

Use your imagination. There are LOTS of ways to say you care and appreciate someone!

 

[gb93433]

I have all of the letters, notes and signed books that have been given to me in appreciation of how God has used me in their life.

One of the notes I remember most is when a lady wrote me a note on the back of an envelope basically aaying thanks for preaching what we need to hear and not what we always want. I think any pastor wants to read those kinds of words.

The people I always liked to spent time with were those who just accepted me the way I was and just welcomed me into their home. They made me feel like I could kick off my shoes and just enjoy being with them.

 

[Jeffrey H]

Be his friend and talk to him.

Talk to him about things other than church business. Talk about his hobbies, interest, etc.

Get to know him and pray for him.

Invite him and his wife over for dinner.

Apply the truths of his sermons to your life and tell him how it's encouraged and helped you.

If areas of disagreement come, let him know that he's still your friend and your pastor.

Honor him as your pastor and leader, but don't put him on a "pedestal".

Recognize that his job as Pastor is really "24-7".

Don't be a nagging, habitual complainer. He needs to address THE REAL issues of your church, not the color of the bathrooms.

 

[Kathy]

LOVE these ideas!!

Is the suggestion of adding another service too much for the church?? I ask because my church has a "traditional" style service and then after that a "contemporary" style service...everyone is pleased. Just a thought.

Kathy
<><