I am a pastor’s wife. I, along with other pastor wives, can tell you what this title entails. It means having an understanding that ministry doesn’t stop at 5 pm. It means sharing your husband with the members of the church on a consistent basis. It means you get a front-row look at all that God is doing. It means you get to serve the Lord in ministry. It means you get a life of great rejoicing as you watch the Lord work, but it also can be difficult. Being in full-time ministry is a blessing and I am so thankful that this is our life, but it comes with its challenge. As helpmates to a pastor, we see the toll ministry can have on our husbands.
It’s easy to forget that pastors are people, too. It’s easy to forget that they’re laboring (prayerfully faithfully) for the Lord and are seeking His will. It’s easy to forget that they have families and personal lives, too. It’s easy to forget that they’re humans. So, I’d love it if I could share with you a few ways that you can love, support, and encourage your pastors.
Give your pastor grace
Pastors are sinful human beings just like everyone else. While they have been called by God to preach the gospel and shepherd His flock, it does not mean that they are sinless and will never make a mistake (trust me, I know). Please, give your pastors grace when grace is needed and allow them to seek forgiveness if it’s due. Remember that they are a part of the body of Christ just like you, and need to be given grace and understanding on decisions that are made within the church. Remember as you are living your life to the glorify God in all things, so is your pastor.
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over 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.
We can Respect and love our pastors well by giving them grace and patience while they are leading the local body of believers.
Pray for your pastor
Pray for your pastor. Friends, your pastors need to be prayed for daily. They have been given the great task by God to shepherd His people within the local church. The weight that is on their shoulders can be overwhelming. According to Hebrews, as members, we ought to “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account (Hebrews. 13:17).” This is a serious calling that they have been given, and one with great responsibility.
Pray that he will be faithful to the Word of God and will stand firm on the gospel. Pray he will not waiver from the truth and compromise biblical principle. Pray for him to follow the Lord, and grow in his love for Christ. Pray for him as he ministers to his first ministry (his wife and children) that he would be faithfully shepherding his household. Pray for his family. He can use all the prayers he can get. Also, and this leads into my final point, let him know that you’re praying for him. I promise you he’ll be grateful.
Encourage your pastor verbally
When is the last time you told your pastor “thank you” for his faithfulness in shepherding God’s flock? When is the last time you have told your pastor thank you for preaching the Word faithfully each week? When is the last time you have encouraged your pastor with Scripture?
Remember, your pastor is a part of the body of Christ too. He needs to be encouraged and loved on just like you do. Please, don’t think that because he is your pastor, he’s exempt from needing the fellowship of the body of Christ, he does. Often times the role of encouraging falls on their helpmate. While it is our joy to encourage and love our husband and pastor in this way, it is also the church’s role.
I pray you will take time to love your pastors well. Appreciate them and encourage them for the work that they do for the Lord every day. Give them grace and patience as you wish to be given. Pray for him, knowing he is praying for the body as well. Church members, we are so blessed that the Lord blessed us with pastors who want to serve the local church. Be thankful for that, knowing that these men of God are striving to glorify Christ day in and day out.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Courtney Chambers
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The Reformed Life 
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