STRENGTHEN THE HANDS OF YOUR PASTOR

She walked up to her pastor and said, “I have vowed that if God calls me, I would never respond to the call”. She saw the pains her dad went through in ministry. She was not ready for such. She would not even marry a pastor.

Some months later, the same lady came back and told her pastor, “Seeing your life, I have changed my mind about ministry and the call of God”.

There are children of pastors who have made similar vows never to touch the call of God with a long stick! A daughter of missionaries said to me years ago: “My parents have done all the missionary works for the next generation. I will do business”.

I grew up as a pastor’s child! I know what that struggle can look like. Just like Uriah was left alone in the heat of the war and he died, a lot of labourers are forgotten in the battlefield of missions also.

Uriah did not die because he was weak; Uriah died because he was left alone. Some statistics say about 75 percent of pastors are stressed!

Friends, you can be a strong defence to your pastors also. David would have been killed in battle by a giant due to fatigue if not that he had a sensitive soldier close by who sensed that his king's life was in danger.

“Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants; his bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds, and he was armed with a new sword. He had cornered David and was about to kill him. But Abishai, son of Zeruiah, came to David’s rescue and killed the Philistine. Then David’s men declared, “You are not going out to battle with us again! Why risk snuffing out the light of Israel?””

2 Samuel 21:16-17 NLT

I know pastors can wake up at night with a burden for someone in church, but have you ever woken up with a burden to pray for your pastor? Do you know when a giant is breathing down the neck of your pastor?

I remember the sad incident of the pastor who committed suicide in his office right in the midst of a service when his church was waiting for the pastor to bring a word. Who feeds the feeder?

Your pastor brings you a word of encouragement, and your spirit is lifted, but have you ever wondered who encourages your pastor? When last did you say "Thank You" because of what he has taught you?

I have a church member that says, “How are you too, sir?” every time I greet her. That is very rare! As simple as that is.

As a pastor, I also wake up at times to request from pastors with needs they cannot share with any other!

I see faithful pastors suffer. I also see lazy ones take advantage of people. But if you know that you are pastored by a shepherd with a sincere heart for the flock, you owe him a sensitive heart.

Can you help us love your pastor and his family? There are times they have given their best of health and time to the church, and it is only their tired minds and bodies they bring to their family. It takes a lot of guts for a pastor to say "No" at times.

Can you help your pastor finish strong? Send him a message saying thank you for the teachings and the grooming. Do you even have a plan to bless him? Plan it. Can you stir other church folks to insist that your pastor should take a break, and you pay the bills? If all you keep looking for are his faults, it is unfair. Surprise him.

We can help fix a pastor’s family. Let the spouse and kids be able to say they are proud of what he or she does. I know there is a reward in heaven, but do not let your attitude send your pastor there earlier than normal.

©️temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa