I am reading reading the third book in Katie Schuermann's series, "The Harvest Raise." She tells the story about a mid-western rural church and its colorful cast of characters. At the center of the series is a love story between a young woman who has lost her husband and has come to the town of Bradbury to heal. She connects with Zion Lutheran Church and, over time, the single pastor and she fall in love and marry. Schuermann portrays there relationship in a sweet way.
One reason I like the series is because she describes what life is like for a parish pastor. She writes how pastors are often under pressure from the members (some well meaning and some not) and how that pressure comes to bear on family members.
As I'm reading along, the pastor finds his wife at home, obviously discouraged and hurt. He finally learns that she was treated very unfairly by a spiteful troublemaker. He wants to deal with the person right away but his wife counsels against taking action. He realizes that she's right; a confrontation would only make things worse.
During a moment of silence, the pastor thinks to himself, "...this was the special cross that pastors and, consequently, their families carried through all of life. Every time they walked into the church, they had to share space with people who hated them and blamed them and despised them and criticized them and hurt them. It was the very essence of Church Stress, this constant bearing of people's scorn. The world mocked and spit upon Christ Himself. It most certainly would do the same to His servants."
My beloved administrative assistant, Connie Kanzler, often tells me how loved I am by my congregation. And that's a wonderful thought. But it's not true.
The above sentence in italics resonated with me. All those things I have experienced and still experience. The pastor is an easy target. And since we all are given to believe at one time or another that our problems and disappointments are not our fault, who best to blame? The pastor!
In my own case, I know that the majority of the congregants love and support me. It's only a few that hate and blame and despise and criticize and hurt. Oh, but the wounds they cause.
In my opinion, the greatest gift a congregation can give its pastor is to pray for him every day. Pray that he would be faithful to his calling...pray that he would receive joy in serving the Lord...pray that the attacks of the old, evil foe would be blunted...pray that he would receive the Lord's strength when faced with stressful days...pray that he would not be distracted by those who want to hurt him and his family and ruin his ministry.
Every October is Pastor Appreciation Month. But the pastor will appreciate you when you pray for him every day.
