An uncomfortable post about an uncomfortable text

I begin this blog with a disclaimer: I am really uncomfortable writing on this. But writing it is easier than preaching it and most pastors I know will not write about it or preach it. A pastor who speaks or writes about honoring church leaders seems tacky at best and self-serving at worst. I have been a pastor for 27 years now and probably if the Lord allows, only about 10 years left in full-time ministry. So as I write this I am writing primarily for those who come behind me, for those who serve and are younger than me. I would be much more comfortable ignoring this issue or letting someone else write about it, but it is my heart God has laid it upon so my choices are to be obedient or not. If you are a member of Eastwood and reading this, I ask you to apply this and remember those who serve here: Greg, Ed, Justin, Ben, Megan, Dana, and Will. If you are not a member of Eastwood, please take this to heart and think of creative ways to honor your pastor (s).

I have often said that I have been called to preach the “whole counsel of God’s word.” To avoid this topic and text, which I have done for 27 years now, does not do justice to God’s call. I am called to address what the bible addresses. And whether I’m comfortable with it or not, the Bible addresses the issue of honoring our spiritual leaders. 

A couple of verses to think about are:

• Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”
• Ephesians 4:11 states God “gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastor teachers.”

When Paul told the church at Ephesus that God “gave” some to certain offices in the church, the implication is that those who serve as “apostles, prophets, evangelists, or pastor – teachers” are gifts to His church. I am sure there have been days the 4 churches I have served thought their “gift” was more a piece of carnival glass from a game barker than a gift from God. But we need to remember pastors, be they pastors of youth, children, senior adults, musicians, whatever, have been called to encourage, feed, equip, lead, and minister to the people of God.

Let me point out just a couple of things from Hebrews 13:7.

1. Paul says to “remember” – This has the idea of being mindful of, think about, or be thoughtful towards.  Remember there are times your pastors pray for you, pray with you, weep over your situation, spend time away on nights and weekends ministering to you… remember. The pastor carries a heavy load. Now before you take issue with this I acknowledge that we all carry a heavy load. But remember your pastor carries his load, but also carries yours and so many others in the church. So what should you remember? (1) To pray consistently for your pastor and family. (2) To serve the Lord’s church with gladness and give generously so that the pastor does not feel like he is always begging for workers and pleading for resources. (3) Don’t wait for a birthday or wedding anniversary to write a note of encouragement. The most meaningful notes are often those that are written with no special occasion in mind, their purpose is simply to encourage. Remembering a pastors’ birthday or anniversary is nice but I would challenge you to remember his anniversary date when he started serving your church. If churches honored and celebrated tenure, I am convinced tenures would likely increase in length.
2. Paul says they “rule” – This simply means they are called to lead.  Many today have problems with pastoral authority because of pastors that have abused their leadership position.  There is something very important to point out here from this verse, something that is lost in the simple English translation. When Paul speaks of those “who rule over you” it is in the passive voice. This means your pastor is not a leader in the church by personal choice, but rather because of the will and call of God.

If you are in a church that has a pastor, or in a ministry that has a pastor serving over it such as music or youth, then God has blessed you greatly! He has given you a man of God. He has given you someone who will pray for you, who will love you, who will tell you the truth, who will carry you in his heart, who will serve you faithfully and who will do so much for you that only in eternity will you know the depth of his commitment to you.

When I preach I try to include “take-aways” or life application where all understand what God is instructing from His word here.  If you have a pastor here are the take-aways:

1. Protect his time - Give him opportunity to pray and study the Word. Don’t expect him, his family or his home to be the center of entertainment for the community. Every pastor wants to be available when needed, but no spiritual man of God can be all places at all times for all occasions.
2.  Pray for him continually - Call his name out to the Father and ask God to fill him and use him.
3. Pay attention while he preaches - The sermon is not the time to be fiddling with the checkbook, looking through the hymnal, cutting your nails (I actually pastored someone who did this EVERY Sunday in church), surfing the internet, or taking a nap. The man of God has labored long and hard to prepare the spiritual meal. At least have the common decency to pay attention when he preaches! And please … unless it is an absolute emergency do NOT leave during the invitation.
4. Provide for the needs of your pastor – Simply put God blesses the church that blesses the man of God.
5. Please the Lord through your ministry to your pastor – How do you do that? Be creative. Celebrate anniversaries or pastor appreciation month or give a little extra at Christmas.

Some will no doubt read this and assume I am insinuating something that the church I serve either does or doesn’t do well. HEAR ME – This is not about me but rather ALL who serve in ministry. This is simply meant to be a prophetic word to the church about an area where obedience is needed to the Word of God.

Thank you for reading my heart!