As the director of Love INC (In the Name of Christ), Dave Rakosky is in contact with churches and pastors on a daily basis. Given their important work and the alarming rate at which pastors are leaving the ministry, Rakosky took it upon himself to ask local pastors to share some suggestions on how their churches can best support and encourage them.
Here are nine suggestions he hears most frequently and one suggestion from Rakosky himself.
1. Pray for them regularly. Pastors face spiritual warfare and need spiritual covering.
2. Encourage them in any way one can. Ministry can be isolating and thankless.
3. Respect their time and boundaries. Pastors often work odd hours and rarely “clock out.”
4. Support their family emotionally. The ministry can put pressure on spouses and children.
5. Give them time off. Encourage vacations, sabbaticals and regular days off.
6. Provide financial support. Many pastors are underpaid relative to the demands on ministry.
7. Protect them from gossip and criticism. Negative talk can crush morale and divide the church.
8. Use one's talents to serve the church. Pastors aren’t meant to do everything.
9. Include them as a person, not just a pastor. Pastors are people too. They need friends, not just congregants.
10. Celebrate and honor one's pastor.
“Recognition fosters encouragement and joy,” Rakosky said. “Caring for your pastor is an important way to support their spiritual, emotional and physical well-being. Pastors often carry a heavy burden, balancing the needs of the church, their own families and their personal walk with God. I hope these suggestions help. May God bless you for your faithfulness.”
