Good pastors are hard to find. Some churches that are without a pastor have spent two years or longer in a search for their next one. For example, currently there are approximately 280 Kentucky Baptist churches searching for their next senior leader.
But what if you already have a good pastor? What are you doing to help him and his family enjoy their service to your congregation?
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I recently discovered a practice called “Stay Interviews.” Think the opposite of an exit interview. An exit interview is something an HR professional may carry out when an employee leaves an organization to learn what went well and what could have gone better. A stay interview is something leaders can do to find out whether good employees are flourishing in their work and what would make a valuable team member want to leave for another role.
Churches who already have a good pastor, one who is faithfully (do not hear perfectly) leading the flock, feeding the flock and caring for the flock will want to make sure their pastor is flourishing in his assignment — and if not, is there something the church can do to help.
Here are five practices to help your pastor flourish in his role.
1. Pay him a living wage: This is where a healthy church finance and personnel committee, or elder board, can be worth its weight in gold. Consider what professionals in your area get paid and pay your pastor accordingly. Your pastor is asked to prepare sermons each week, counsel families dealing with crises, lead the church to advance its mission and much more. Many pastors have earned a Bible college degree, a seminary master’s degree and in some cases a doctorate. Consider what a business leader, high school principal, military officer or a factory supervisor in your community is being paid and pay your pastor accordingly. If you cannot afford that level of pay, then decide as a church to do the very best you can to support your pastor and his family.
2. Pray for him consistently: One thing that every church elder or deacon can do is ask church members to pray for their pastor. Pray for him as he spends time each week studying to preach. Pray that God will give him wisdom as he works with other leaders in the church to develop strategic plans to impact the community with the gospel and disciple members of the church. Pray for his personal and family time so that he will be able to enjoy the life and ministry the Lord has given him. Also ask God to fill him with the Holy Spirit and protect him from the evil one. Your prayers will make a difference in your pastor’s life.
3. Protect him from church bullies: Almost every church has one. Who is that person or family who seems poised to attack your pastor when he makes the first misstep or leads in a way that challenges their preferences for the sake of advancing the gospel in the community? Church bullies, like all bullies, must be challenged. Titus 3:10 admonishes church leaders, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” While your pastor may be the one who confronts a divisive church member, it will be helpful for you to support him when he does.
4. Be sparing on your criticism: There may be times when you need to share a concern, or even a criticism, with your pastor. There is nothing wrong with having a concern, but make sure you are careful in how you bring it to his attention. It is best to share it personally, face to face if possible, and not on Sunday as that is the time he is consumed with many responsibilities. Plan a phone call or visit later in the week and share your concern in a way that honors his role, believes the best about him and his motives and gives the benefit of the doubt for things over which you may not be aware.
5. Love and honor his family: One of the best things you can do to help your pastor flourish in his calling is to value and honor his family. Pastor families pay a price for serving in a local church. It is a great privilege to be part of a pastor family, but one that carries unique challenges. Your pastor is a public figure. That puts his family in a fishbowl, making them feel that all their actions are being watched. Find ways to show your pastor’s wife and children that they are valuable to you and to your church.
There is more a church can do to care well for its pastor, but these five will make a difference — not just for your senior pastor but for your entire staff.
Make it a priority to do the best you can to love those who lead your congregation. God reminds us in Hebrews 13:17 that while shepherds have a great responsibility to a flock, that the flock also has an equally great responsibility to those who shepherd them. The verse says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” If God has given you a faithful man of God to lead your congregation, then do your best to also care well for him and his family.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Todd Gray and originally published by Kentucky Today.
