Thom Rainer shares how church members can help their pastors. I heartily agree – – including the one below about sharing unnecessary or last minute announcements right before the pastor preaches!
I know. Pastors aren’t perfect. But they do have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Regardless of the church polity, they do have to answer to every church member. Please allow me to speak to you who are church members. I know most of you love your pastor. I know most of you respect your pastor. But you may not know how you can best help your pastor.
I have served as a pastor of four churches, and I have consulted with hundreds of pastors. In many ways, I think I understand the heart of a pastor. So would you allow me to share with you how to demonstrate love to your pastor? I put them in the form of five things not to do, and five things to do.
What Not to Do
Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. I’ve tried to streamline the list some.
1. Don’t criticize or make critical suggestions to the pastor unless you have spent much time in prayer over the matter. Pastors have to deal with criticisms every week. It drains them. Also, don’t criticize the pastor’s family.
2. Don’t ask the pastor to make announcements right before the worship service. He needs to be focused on his sermon. Similarly, don’t say other things to him that may distract him before he preaches.
please help me i go to a mixed congregation but more or less people of one background than the other. i dont mind but i dont know how the team recognizes certain persons and not the other participants. to me it is a little wrong sided because i feel like dropping away from them. when i use to be excited about the pastor and associate pastor, i ignored the difference in treatment of persons pushing aside my own understanding. one evening i was tired but i went on to prayer meeting i felt detached so i didnot clap or whatever motions. then i heard a loud voice shouting out to me like weird and whatever he spoke i said no one did anything to me whatever is going on god will fix it/ my point is why not pull me to the side the associate pastor or the members and ask me. because now i am feeling like leaving this church and the environment has changed. maybe i should have set back when i first came and not participate just enjoy others doing things . like singing and let the members who were there continue with what they do
you can email and answer if you wish, i hope so i will feel better than i feel now need understanding in gods way
Annie,
I would do 2 things. First, talk to your pastors about this. Second, study Philippians 2 as closely as you can.