I’m continually amazed by the faithfulness of pastors I meet serving around the world.
One Spanish pastor near Madrid leads the only evangelical church in his town. He left the security of his job and extended family to attend seminary after he learned that most towns in the region have no evangelical presence at all. Each week, he preaches a sermon for the small congregation, and, with his wife, leads music, directs the mid-week Bible studies and children’s outreaches, and transports people to the church. He humbly asks God to send more laborers to his community.
A pastor in Tanzania accepted a request to lead a rural church, then enrolled in a theological training program to learn how to do so. He cultivates his land to provide for his family and support his church. In addition to discipling believers and training them in evangelism, he rides his motorcycle out to unreached villages to share the gospel.
In the Middle East, another pastor compassionately cares for families separated by war. He teaches, counsels, and leads even while raising young children and living under the threat of missiles and violent attacks.
And in Peru, a pastor and his family graciously welcome believers and unbelievers alike into their congregation. For decades, he has faithfully taught the whole counsel of Scripture and trained other South Americans to become pastors and church leaders.
These stories repeat in countless churches throughout the globe—including here in the US. While their contexts may be different, the work of the ministry—along with its joys and challenges—remains the same. Just as Paul urged Timothy, these pastors faithfully “preach the word; [are] ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).
As we remember our pastors at the end of October’s Pastor Appreciation Month, here are four Scriptural ways to show them our appreciation.
1. Demonstrate Honor and Respect
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
Too often, the loudest voices pastors hear are the complaints of disgruntled church members. It can be easy for the rest of us to take our pastors for granted, especially when much of their work occurs behind the scenes—yet we are to “esteem them very highly in love.” One of the most encouraging things we can do is simply tell our pastors how much we appreciate them. Thank them regularly for their hard work and sacrifice to care for our souls.
In addition to recognizing their work, we are to respect these spiritual elders. While we usually demonstrate honor through our words and actions toward them personally, we can also show it in less intuitive ways. We respect their time by not expecting them to be available to church members 24/7 or to attend (or lead) every church function. We respect their family by encouraging them rather than comparing them to others or talking unkindly about them, and by bringing concerns directly to them.
2. Learn From Them and Imitate Their Godly Example
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)
Scripture holds pastors to a high standard. Anyone desiring to become a pastor must meet the qualifications for character and conduct described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. The Good Shepherd cares deeply about his flock and calls his elders to lead them humbly, compassionately, and righteously (Jeremiah 23:1-4, 1 Peter 5:1-5).
God’s design, therefore, is that we look to our pastors as an example of godly living. We can honor them—and Christ—by emulating their lives and witness as we pursue Christlikeness together as a community of faith.
We should also listen carefully to their teaching. Pastors invest much time and study into preparing sermons and discipling us in the Word of God. By paying attention, asking questions, and interacting with their lessons, we not only deepen our understanding of Scripture but make the process more enjoyable for our teachers.
3. Pray for Them
[P]raying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20)
Throughout the New Testament, the apostle Paul urged believers to pray for him and his fellow leaders. In addition to general intercession for all those in positions of authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), he requested prayer for clarity and boldness in preaching (Ephesians 6:19-20), open doors for teaching the Word (Colossians 4:3), safety and ministry success (Romans 15:30-31), and honorable living (Hebrews 13:18).
These same requests can guide our prayers. We should pray fervently for our pastors as they engage on the front lines of the spiritual battle. And, when we do so, we should let them know that we are praying for them. It can be a great encouragement to know that other believers are upholding them throughout the week.
4. Join Them in Serving to Build Up the Body
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ . . . from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:11-13, 16)
No one can succeed in ministry alone. The church needs every member, with his or her individual giftings, to work together to edify the congregation and carry the gospel into a lost world. While pastors and church leaders are tasked with equipping the saints for ministry, we must all apply this training to serve in each area of the church.
Perhaps nothing is more encouraging for pastors than seeing their spiritual children glorify God. As each of us grows in spiritual maturity and does our part to serve in unity, our church will fulfill its mission. And we will bring the best kind of joy and honor to our pastors.
