Encourage Your Pastor - Word For Today

‘He…encouraged them for the service of the house of the LORD.’ 2 Chronicles 35:2

The Bible says King Josiah ‘set the priests in their duties and encouraged them for the service of the house of the LORD’. Josiah did two things: he instructed them, and he encouraged them. Why? Because one without the other doesn’t work! How often have you left church feeling lifted, encouraged and inspired by the sermon? Question: Have you ever thought of telling your pastor how much it meant to you, or sending them an email to let them know you appreciate their ministry? Pastors get more kicks than kisses. Some 37 per cent quit the ministry because of discouragement. Did you know that? Even the great apostle Paul got discouraged: ‘When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn’t relax because we didn’t know how it would turn out. Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared…how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquillity in no time!’ (2 Corinthians 7:5-7 MSG).

Titus encouraged Paul in two ways:

1) By showing up. ‘We were glad just to see him.’ Like it or not, when you don’t go to church you’re saying, ‘Pastor, you’re not worth coming to hear.’

2) By offering encouragement. ‘True reassurance came in what he told us.’ This week, encourage your pastor.

Luke 22:31-46, Ps 119:89-176