I know very little about cars. One of the few things I do know is that for my car to continue running, I must periodically maintain it. Every few thousand miles, the oil must be changed. New air filters are needed. Even the tires must be replaced eventually. Taking good care of my car helps prevent major breakdowns.
Your preacher is a little like your car.
He needs care, encouragement, and strengthening: “maintenance” so to speak (as is true of any member of your congregation!). As any good employer knows, an employee who feels valued and respected will in turn fulfill his duties even better. How much more so the church and a preacher! He is not simply an employee – he is your brother in Christ.
We are blessed to be in a very loving and encouraging congregation, who lift up and strengthen my husband. But perhaps you might be wondering how to encourage (and grow) your own preacher.
Here are a few ideas:
Pray for him
Pray for his ministry. Pray for his work. Pray for his heart and his family. Pray that he can find the wisdom to do what the Lord wants him to do (and not just what you would prefer him to do).
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. ~ Colossians 4:3-4
Give him a timely word.
Are you unsure whether your preacher needs an encouraging word? Allow me to ask one question: is he breathing? Then, he (like any of us), would appreciate encouragement. Even a simple “Thank you” or “well done.”
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! ~ Proverbs 15:23
Not sure of your words? Send him a gift card to his favorite restaurant. Offer to babysit his children so he can take his wife out on a date. Or (as two good men recently did for my husband) help him with a project he couldn’t accomplish single handedly.
Consider his pay
Paul said it best: “For the Scripture says, ‘you shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’” (1 Timothy 5:18)
Practically speaking, consider a yearly raise or a Christmas bonus. Enable him (financially or otherwise) to go to a lectureship or family encampment. Encourage him to take a vacation or time off. The worker is worthy of his wages.
Participate in church work
Of course, you should be doing so for the Lord! But one of the blessings of participating in church work is mutual encouragement. There are few things more encouraging than having good, solid people working beside you.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace ~ 1 Peter 4:10
Understand that his wife and children are simply that – his wife and children. Not your second employee, a place to lodge your complaints or to berate. She may be outgoing and friendly. She may be contemplative and behind the scenes serving. Allow her the dignity of being the person God created her to be, rather than who you would like her to be. Loving his wife and children (if he has them) is an immense encouragement to your preacher.
Understand that he is human. He will sin. He will have temperamental struggles. He will have good days and bad days. So do you. Give grace as you would wish it to be shown to you. Please don’t misunderstand me – I understand that there are serious occurrences of sin (and they should be held accountable). Rather, please do not hold your preacher to a standard of perfection. Only Jesus is that.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God ~ Romans 3:23
Understand that he is uniquely gifted by the Lord.
I have had the privilege of knowing many good preachers. Some were introverts; some were extroverts. Some were excellent at in depth study. Some were word craftsmen. Some were great writers; others were great orators. Some led singing beautifully; others were tone deaf. Some had a gift for compassionate listening and counseling. Some had a gift for calm and thoughtful confrontation. Some were especially understanding in grief. Some were especially good at rejoicing. Some were adept with handyman and practical skills. Some were wonderful at organizing events. Some were very good at developing deep mentoring relationships one on one.
And yet, not a single preacher I have ever met was good at everything I just listed.
God made your preacher just the way that GOD wanted to. He didn’t need to consult you or me, because He already knew how he would use him – and he already knows how to use YOU as well.
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ~ 1 Corinthians 12:18
Your preacher carries a weighty task. He is responsible for doing the work of an evangelist, and he answers not to church members or disgruntled brethren but to the Lord Himself (2 Timothy 4:2-5). I pray he is a man of Christian integrity with a deep desire to preach the gospel, that he is giving his best to help lead you to heaven.
The question is, are you helping him travel heavenward as well?
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