Dear Birmingham Baptists,
Vocational ministry is a rewarding and challenging calling. The Apostle Paul charged the Ephesian pastors to “pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28, ESV). Considering the magnitude of the minister’s responsibility, one should find it obvious that they need supportive relationships within the church.
According to Jimmy Dodd, author of Survive or Thrive, around 1,500 pastors burn out and leave the church every month. On my first day at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Professor Jim Shaddix opened his first lecture with a sobering thought: “Gentlemen, look to the right and left. I want you to think about something hard to contemplate. Only one of you will be left in vocational ministry by the time you get through your middle-adult years.” His words came to mind recently. To my knowledge, only two of the eight men seated at my table in the lecture hall are still serving in pastoral ministry.
Pastors and staff are not immune to struggle. In my role, I meet pastors who struggle with loneliness and depression. For those who carry the mantle of leading the people of God, the Gospel that heals broken and messed-up lives is as essential to them as it is to congregations they lead. I sit with pastors to cry with them and pray for God’s intervention as they seek God’s direction under challenging circumstances. One pastor who visited me after being fired over the telephone without cause said, “I don’t think they understand what they have done to me.” Often, the laity has no concept of the ups and downs of serving as a shepherd. One day for the pastor could include rejoicing with a mother who gives birth to a healthy baby while weeping with a couple in the aftermath of marital infidelity.
I am unashamedly pro-pastor and church leader. That is part of the culture of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association. I encourage your church to cultivate a pro-pastor and pro-minister culture. Leadership expert John Maxwell once said, “The organization will never rise above the level of the leadership.” In your church, you want to lift and support your pastor and staff so that the watermark of the entire church rises in the community for the glory of God.
Here are five suggestions for developing a positive church culture for your pastor and staff:
1. Invest in the continuing education and growth of your leaders. Too many churches fail to provide their church leadership the freedom and opportunities to learn. Continuing education isn’t just for teachers and other professionals. If your pastor thinks a particular conference will be beneficial for the leadership, do whatever you can to make sure their expenses are paid to go. Pastors need these opportunities at least once per year. Do not let this take the place of your minister’s vacation time.
2. Support and encourage the spouses of your pastor and staff. If your pastor’s wife is struggling, your pastor will not be effective. When the church calls a pastor or ministry staff to serve in the church, this impacts the entire family. What other professions involve the family like leading a local church? Gifts, words of affirmation, invitations to events, and your prayerful support go a long way.
3. Protect your pastor and staff from interruptions on their day off. The most important responsibilities of your pastor are to preach the Word of God and spend time in prayer (Acts 6). Every pastoral care need or administrative need should not fall into your pastor’s lap. Your pastor needs time to rest and recover. Develop systems in your church to help your leadership enjoy an interruption-free day off each week.
4. Let your pastor be himself. Sometimes your pastor or staff want to talk about something besides the church. Take your minister to breakfast. Talk about Jesus, theology, or family. Discuss football, music, or any other interests; however, be careful to avoid talking “shop” about local church issues.
5. Pray for your pastor and staff and tell them that you do. During my years of greeting people before and after worship services, the people who encouraged me the most were those who let me know that they prayed for my family and me.
I urge you to support your pastor and staff! Your entire church will be better if you do.
With sincere gratitude,
Chris Crain, BMBA Executive Director