A concerned member of a local church took it upon himself to refresh his pastor with good meals after every Sunday service. When he approached one of the associate pastors, the associate told him; “Don’t disturb our pastor. He is too busy and serious for all these meals you are bringing.” When the senior pastor heard this, he almost cursed the associate.
Friend, learn to give your pastor rest (Hebrews 13:17). The biggest help you can give your pastor, aside from praying for him, is to make life and ministry easy for him. The truth is, the work of the ministry is already difficult for most pastors. Satanic attacks are real. Dealing with the everyday demands of ministry can be overwhelming. There are bills to pay; both personal and church bills (Philippians 4:15-19). There are issues to resolve in people’s lives, not to talk of the pastor’s own personal struggles. You need to give your pastor rest.
Always think of what you can do to lighten the load on your pastor. Like Aaron and Hur, have you looked for a comfortable place for your pastor to do ministry from (Exodus 17:12)? Have you positioned yourself as a burden bearer, lifting his hands and ensuring that he never gets tired or exhausted in ministry? Have you done your best to ensure that the ministry prospers in his hands?
Sadly, a lot of church members are working against their pastor’s ministry; some ignorantly and some intentionally. Some church members have simply partnered with the devil to frustrate their pastor’s labours in ministry (2 Timothy 4:14-18). What do you intend to gain out of this? Why are you always happy when your pastor is struggling and sad when things are picking up?
Always remember this, an attack on your pastor is an attack on your life (Zechariah 13:7, Luke 22:31-32). Except if you are not ordained to be in that church, if things are not going well with your pastor, it would rub off on you. Moses had to lift the rod for Joshua and the Isrealites to defeat the Amalekites (Exodus 17:11-13). There are things your pastor does in private that lead to your public success. You don’t have to know or agree with this, and he does not even have to tell you.
When it comes to giving your pastor rest, you should be one or all of these three to your pastor; Epaphras, Epaphroditus, and Barnabas. Epaphras laboured in prayers (Colossians 4:12). Epaphroditus made himself available to run errands (Philippians 2:25-30). Barnabas provided financial resources to run the ministry (Acts 4:36-37). Which one are you? You cannot be neutral. You cannot continue to hang around your pastor and the ministry without any meaningful contribution. Give your pastor rest. Did you hear?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria