KATIE POLSKI | CONTRIBUTOR

When I was a kid, I told friends that I was a “PK.” An inquisitive friend asked one day, “What does ‘PK’ actually mean?”

Another friend answered for me: “It means she’s a potential kid.”

No, I was not a budding human. I was a pastor’s kid. And I loved it.

I treasure my experience as a pastor’s daughter, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. But while much of my experience with my father leading the church was positive, I do remember days when dad was very worn.

I recognize that same worn look on my husband, who also serves as a senior pastor, but what I understand now that I didn’t as a child is that the worn look is not mere physical exhaustion. The familiar weariness comes from a weight filled with other’s burdens and expectations. It’s a weight that almost every pastor carries, and the longer he is in pastoral ministry, the heavier it can become.

But I also see the joy that exudes from my husband as he does the work the Lord has called him to. He has the same passion as my father for preaching and shepherding his flock. I asked my husband recently what gives him joy in this calling as pastor. “The people!” he said with a smile. And I think my father, who passed away years ago, would have said the same.

With lingering stories passed on through the generations from a grandfather and father in the pastorate, and now experiencing ministry alongside my husband who is the founding pastor of our church, there are some common threads I notice as to what fills the hearts of these dear servants and what lightens the burden they carry. If you are looking for ways to encourage your pastor during pastor appreciation month, here are three practical ideas to consider.

Shepherd the People in the Church

There is little else that encourages pastors more than knowing that the congregation cares for one another. And Scripture is clear in exhorting us to do just that! We’re called to love one another (a command that occurs more than 16 times in the Bible), to be devoted to one another, to live in harmony, and to honor others above ourselves (Romans 12).

When we take these exhortations seriously, a pastor is encouraged because he sees the congregants functioning in the way that God intended. He and the other leaders are called to shepherd the flock, so they must be responsible for knowing their sheep and caring for them in seasons of need. But it lightens the load of the leaders when others in the congregation come alongside and join in on that care. When the church is acting out its calling as the family of Christ, providing for each other, praying for one another other, and being physically present in one another’s lives, you will encourage your pastor.

Offer Random Acts of Kindness

In kindness and concern, many will stop their pastor on a Sunday morning and ask how he’s doing. Some pastors have the time to answer honestly, but for many, the answer is layered and will take time that the pastor may not have in between worship services. Certainly, continue to inquire about your pastor and ministry leaders’ well-being, but perhaps consider a random act of kindness as an additional way to show your love and concern.

What does your pastor enjoy? What are his other interests or hobbies? Is there something related to these that you can bless him with as a way of saying, we care for you! Kind acts toward his family goes a long way. If his children are young, offer a few hours of babysitting, or invite his kids to come swim in your pool. These are ways of showing your pastor that you love and care for him and his family, and it truly encourages his heart.

I remember a knock at the door on a Monday late afternoon. A dear woman from our congregation stood on our porch with a box filled with dinner for our family. The week before had been unusually difficult, and while we told no one in the church about the hardships, this woman explained that on Sunday she sensed that my husband’s load seemed a bit heavy, and so she wanted to lighten it with a meal. I will never forget how much that care and attentiveness meant to my husband.

At another church, a group from the congregation offered to remodel my husband’s office. They gave it a coat of fresh paint, purchased a few updated pieces of furniture to replace some that were quite old, and they even did a deep clean, brushing dust out of all the nooks and crannies. There are so many ways to be creative with these random acts of kindness, and all of them, big or small, encourages your church leaders more than you can know.

Pray for Your Pastor and His Family

Through a series of recent pastoral needs in our church, I was reminded of the power of prayer. I spoke with one mom recently whose daughter came out of a dark period. With tears in her eyes, she gave all the glory to God, and said, “I know God worked in and through the prayers of His people.” Yes, and Amen! God hears and answers prayers, so it is no insignificant thing to pray regularly for the pastors and leaders in your church.

Pray that they will tap into God’s power and strength as they counsel many through weighty situations. Pray that God will give them the discipline needed to spend time in prayer and in His Word. Pray that God will give your pastor and the other leaders wisdom and discernment as they make difficult decisions for the future health of the church. Pray for your pastor’s wife and for his children as they are touched every day by the ins and outs of ministry. And pray that God will draw your pastor closer to Himself as he learns what it means to shepherd and care for the Bride of Christ.

Love your pastor deeply and pray for him often. And not just during pastor appreciation month, but always. They are strengthened by your care, encouragement, and support, and in turn, the work of the church is emboldened to the glory of God.

Photo by Mitchell Leach on Unsplash