Honoring the Shepherds

In 1st Peter 5, we see a passage that highlights the incredible call of God on those who serve as
shepherds over the flock of God, who lead our church congregations:
2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

I think a key phrase is found in verse 5: "...all of you be submissive to one another..."  Those who are called to serve in pastoral leadership are submissive to Jesus, the head of the Church.  Those of us who are members of the congregation are admonished to preserve a humble and submissive attitude. I believe the church works when we are all in submission to the Lord and in proper submission to one another - those who are in authority demonstrating servant-leadership, and those who are under that authority reflecting a sense of humility and respect toward our spiritual leaders.

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The Bible speaks clearly to the topic of honoring those who serve in spiritual authority over us.  1st
Timothy 5 says:
17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.
18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

As we approach this Labor Day weekend - and Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month in October - I wanted to shine the spotlight on a new survey that examines the challenges of a profession that touches many of the lives of listeners to Faith Radio.

The survey is from LifeWay Research and the opening sentence to its summary begins like this: "Though pastors are stressed about money and overwhelming ministry demands, only one percent abandon the pulpit each year, LifeWay Research finds." It's a survey of 1,500 pastors of evangelical and historically black churches - it found an estimated 13 percent of senior pastors in 2005 had left the pastorate ten years later for reasons other than death or retirement.

Scott McConnell, LifeWay Research vice president, points out that, “Pastors are not leaving the ministry in droves."

But, pastors do say the role can be tough. For instance:

• 84 percent say they’re on call 24 hours a day.
• 80 percent expect conflict in their church.
• 54 percent find the role of pastor frequently overwhelming.
• 53 percent are often concerned about their family’s financial security.
• 48 percent often feel the demands of ministry are more than they can handle.
• 21 percent say their church has unrealistic expectations of them.

“This is a brutal job,” McConnell said. “The problem isn’t that pastors are quitting—the problem is that pastors have a challenging work environment." He adds: “Churches ought to be concerned, and they ought to be doing what they can.”

Taking a look at the longevity of senior pastors, the survey found that many senior pastors are relatively new to their current churches, with 35 percent having been there five years or less, but most are not new to the pastorate.

57 percent of current senior pastors previously held that role elsewhere.  54 percent said they had moved on because they had taken the previous church as far as they could. However, 23 percent of pastors who changed churches say they left because of conflict in the church.

Michael Lewis, executive director for pastor care at the North American Mission Board, says that, "Each pastor I talk to agrees that there are increasing demands placed on his life and family today,” and he adds, “Healthy pastors with growing family relationships are empowered to lead healthy congregations that reach their communities.”  And an overwhelming majority of pastors say that the demands of ministry require them to protect themselves: over 90 percent consistently protecting time with their family, regularly listening for signs of conflict in the church, and making deliberate efforts to prevent conflict.  

McConnell says that, “If you’re at all in a position of influence in a church, there are practical things you can be doing to help." Here is a list of some potential shortcomings in churches regarding pastoral support:

• 71 percent of churches have no plan for a pastor to receive a periodic sabbatical.
• 66 percent lack a support group for the pastor’s family.
• 66 percent have no lay counseling ministry.
• 33 percent don’t have a list of counselors for referrals.
• 30 percent have no document clearly stating what the church expects of its pastor.
• 16 percent lack a process for church discipline.

So, this survey gives churches the opportunity to examine how they can strengthen pastors in their God-given roles and responsibility.  There are a few facts about pastors to which I'd like to call attention:

First of all, we realize that the pastor is called by God and is worthy of honor.  And, there are many ways in which we can show that honor and appreciation to them.  They are in a significant role of spiritual authority, and we do wise to respect that authority and seek to follow them as they teach and direct us.  

We can also recognize how that pastor is being used by God.   Their involvement in church and community activities can be inspiring for all of us.  During October - Pastor and Staff Appreciation Month - Faith Radio will be calling attention to how God is using the church leaders in amazing ways.  If you have a story to share, please visit the Faith Radio website and fill out our form that gives you a chance to tell their story.

We as Christians can choose to be sources of encouragement and affirmation for those who labor so diligently, facing challenges along the way, in order to do God's will and to shepherd His flock.