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Its a job unlike any other, with a "Boss" who has no equal.  The highs are incredible, surpassing imagination. The lows are powerful ... bleak, lonely and empty.   Each day is a grab bag: you never know what to expect. The pressure is weighty, as each encounter has eternal significance. It is ministry . . . and an awesome responsibility.,

Having worked with ministers for 23, years, I've gained a feeling about their work and how it affects their lives.  If your pastor or minister could sit in your living room and talk openly with you, here are a few things you might hear:

1. Being a pastor is more than a job. Its our calling. And you are more than just members of the church. You are loved, valued and appreciated, even when we forget to tell you.

2. Most of us love to preach and teach. Nothing excites us like leading someone to the Lord or hearing about a life changed by God.  We get encouragement from watching your commitment turn into action.  This is what keeps us doing what we do.

3. Some things really drain our emotional and spiritual tanks. Unbending people, constant criticism, endless expectations and squabbles over trivial matters take their toll.

4. Volunteers are priceless.   Recruiting workers is time-consuming and mentally exhausting. You have our heartfelt gratitude when you volunteer for a task and complete it without constant supervision.

5. We are church members as well as leaders. We should not get paid to teach, worship, pray, study God's Word, or to live holy lives. Those are commands from our Lord for all of us to follow.   Primarily, we see our task to lead, equip, train and administer.

6. We're a family, too. A common assumption is that churches hire the pastor and the pastor's family.  Thank you for allowing our spouses the freedom to choose where they serve.  Thanks also for letting our children be kids.

7. Family time is precious. Please save non-emergency matters for office hours.  Our home life is often hectic because of evening functions and meetings.  Weekends are usually workdays for us.   Don't forget that two consecutive days off in the week is our "weekend."   Our families are a crucial part of our ministry, and we want them to be glad about that,

8. As ministers, we struggle to spend time alone with God.  Expect us to spend at least one week alone with God each year, separate from vacation time.  We need to refuel.  We cannot give what we do not have

9. Don't gossip about how much money we make.  Our salary can be a touchy subject since it's open to public discussion and debate.  Please be sensitive.  Our "salary package" can be misleading, since many of us pay our own health insurance, Social Security and retirement.

10. Become our friends. Ministers long for trustworthy intimate friends within their local church.  We're regular people with regular problems.  Friends who love us, despite our shortcomings and failures, are a treasure, and an evening of fun and fellowship with you is a treat,

One final thought: If your ministers could ask one thing of you, it would-be to pray for them daily.  Most of them know any "success" they enjoy is due to God's grace and the condition of your knees.

By Gail Houston, who lives in Tucson, Ariz.

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How to Pray for Your Pastors
Also see Pray for our Pastors

For a church to be strong and vibrant, it needs numerous vital components, but perhaps the most important ingredient are pastors who can lead and feed the flock as faithful under-shepherds.  The Apostle Paul admonishes the church at Thessalonica with these words,  "We beseech you, brethren, to know them which work among you, and are over you in the Lord, and instruct you to honor them very highly in love for their work's sake."  (1 Thessalonians. 5:12 and 13).

The greatest gift you can bring to your church is lovingly to pray for your Pastors.  HOW?  Use the petition which the Apostle Paul offered when he asked the people at Ephesus to pray for him.  In Ephesians 6:19 and 20 he says, "Pray also for me..." He then lists these specific requests:

1. FOR CONSISTENCY IN THEIR CALLING.   "...that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me."  The emphasis is on every occasion.  The Apostle Paul charged his disciple Timothy with these words, "Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season."  (2 Timothy 4;2),  The preachers must be motivated to have a "conscience void of offense" and should be able to say: "You know I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you, I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God."  (Acts 20: 20 & 27).

2. FOR COURAGE IN THEIR CALLING.   "So that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel".   The Gospel was "foolishness to those who are perishing.." "Christ crucified" was a 'stumbling block' to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles." (1 Corinthians 1:13 and 23).  For his faithfulness, Paul was now "an ambassador in chains." (Vs 20). Your own preachers may be tempted to dilute his message to soften the challenge of the Gospel.  It takes courage to confront people with sin and call for repentance. The Apostles did it.  "I have declared to both Jews and   Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus."  (Acts 20:21).

3. FOR CLARITY IN THEIR CALLING.    "Pray for me ... that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel." (Vs 19).  What is the mystery?..."God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."  (Colossians  1:27).  "This mystery is that through the Gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesus. 3:6).  The preachers need Divine Revelation as well as disciplined preparation to be able to "make known", i.e. to enable people to see, understand, grasp and receive as their own the truths that can change their lives.

4. FOR COMMITMENT IN THEIR CALLING. "I am an ambassador in chains."  (Vs 20).   In a hostile world, it takes not only courage of heart, but commitment of life to remain true and trustworthy as an ambassador.  An ambassador must: do the will of the King; speak the words of the King; Represent  the ways of the King.

5. THE LIFE OF A PREACHER. The life of a preacher is fraught. with many temptations, trials and tests.  In a very special way, the preachers carry the high and holy responsibility of representing the King of Kings. 

6. PRAY FOR YOUR PASTORS:  Scott, Molly, Pik & Bill . 

7. PRAY FOR OUR STAFF MEMBERS:  Nancy, Denise, Alisa, Ann, Yvette, Jan, Jerri, Julie, Lisa, Carla, Frank, Helen, Frank, Brenda, Tom & Wanda - they need your love and care.

If you want to know more about them, please call us at (407) 644-5222 or e-mail us at aumc@asbury.com.

Revised: April 01, 2008.
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