Be a Barnabas to Your Pastor

Last fall John Maxwell related the following story in an article for Good News magazine. During his first weeks as senior pastor at Skyline Wesleyan Church near San Diego, John’s schedule was packed. Nevertheless, he agreed to meet with Bill Klassen, a layman he did not know.

"John," Bill said, "I believe God has called me, a layman, to disciple, encourage, and pray for pastors. And the reason I came here today was so that I could pray for you."

"I wept at the knowledge that God would send someone just to pray for me," Maxwell later admitted. Klassen was steadfast in prayer for Maxwell, and during the next 14 years, Skyline Wesleyan tripled in size, and Maxwell became a national leader in the church growth movement.

A similar scenario took place centuries ago. Around A.D. 47 the apostle Paul embarked on his first missionary journey. By his side was a faithful companion, Joseph of Cyprus, nicknamed Barnabas, or "Son of Encouragement." Why the title? Because Barnabas stood with Paul through shipwrecks, stonings and rejection.

A similar scenario took place centuries ago. Around A.D. 47 the apostle Paul embarked on his first missionary journey. By his side was a faithful companion, Joseph of Cyprus, nicknamed Barnabas, or "Son of Encouragement." Why the title? Because Barnabas stood with Paul through shipwrecks, stonings and rejection.

Who encourages your pastor?

Christian pollster George Barna has discovered that "pastors are the single most occupationally frustrated professionals in America." Yet that needn’t be so. Scripture makes it clear that we are to give special affirmation to our spiritual leaders. In 1 Timothy 5:17 we read, "The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."

You needn’t risk life and limb to be a modern-day Barnabas to your pastor, but there are some simple ways you can encourage him all year long.

Attend church. In another Barna survey, only 40 percent of the American public claims to attend church every Sunday. Only 60 percent of Christians are part of those weekly congregations.

"The empty pew has an eloquent tongue," said one writer in Gospel Banner. "To the preacher, it says, ‘Your sermon is not worthwhile.’ The empty pew is a weight. The occupied pew is a wing."

Pray. Many pastors pray regularly for members of their congregations. Who prays for those in ministry?

"I am most grateful for each layperson who has ever prayed for me," says longtime pastor Terry Teykl in his book Your Pastor: Preyed on or Prayed For? "Only through their spiritual support has my ministry been able to endure its darkest dys. When a layperson told me that he or she was praying for me, I felt sustained."

Volunteer. Tracey had just begun attending a new church and decided to call on the minister. "Put me to work," she said. "What do you need done around here?" The pastor’s jaw dropped.

His reaction is understandable. Only about one-third of all Americans donate their time and talents to their church home. In a Gallup poll, pastors cite this apparent lack of commitment as one of their biggest frustrations with the ministry.

Share your spiritual growth. Perhaps a particular sermon convicted you in a way you didn’t expect. Or your pastor pointed out Scriptures that became your lifeline during a time of crisis. Tell your pastor how his ministry has affected your walk with God. Better yet, write it in a letter so he can reread it.

Invite a friend to church. "Most people are intimidated if a clergyman invites them to worship," my pastor says. "They are more likely to come if invited by a friend." A leader is buoyed when he sees his congregation reach out and grow.

Criticize privately. Don’t spout your criticisms to others in the church. The Rev. A. Frederick Walz Jr. of Smithville United Methodist Church in Dunkirk, Md., frequently tells his congregation: "If I am doing something that bothers you, please come to me. I need to hear it from you, not from someone else." Take your concerns to the pastor directly. He’ll appreciate your honesty and the opportunity to share perspectives.

Befriend his family. According to a Fuller Institute survey, 80 percent of all pastors feel their jobs have a negative effect on their families. Pastors’ wives and children often feel isolated and pressured by high expectations.

Small gestures can ease this burden. Invite his family for a meal. Offer to baby-sit his preschoolers so he can have some private time with his wife. Pastors and their families are people—and people need friends.

Remember him on special days. Pastors celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. These are wonderful opportunities to acknowledge your spiritual leader with a card, note or gift.

Mobilize your congregation to express its gratitude to your pastor with a special event during October, Clergy Appreciation Month. Consult a copy of the Clergy Appreciation Month Planning Guide for suggestions to encourage your leader. Said an Illinois pastor after one such celebration, "I have never heard of a church going to such extremes to show gratitude. . . . I’m ready to go for a long, long time."

Be an advocate. "One of the saddest times in my career was when a beloved parishioner turned his back on me," a 30-year ministry veteran said. "Yet I can remember the affirmation from one member who stood by me when others sought my demise."

Paul rejected John Mark as a team member on his second missionary journey, but Barnabas, the Son of Encouragement, stepped in and gave the young man another chance (Acts 15).You needn’t agree with clergy members on everything. As your spiritual leaders, however, they deserves your steadfast encouragement, especially during difficult times (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

Say thank you. A pastor is not just a preacher. He is an administrator, teacher, fund-raiser, janitor, counselor, arbitrator, leader and visionary. He works in a high-expectation environment in which he is constantly scrutinized and rarely applauded. It costs nothing to say, "Thank you for everything you are doing. I can see the Lord working through you." But those words are priceless to your pastor.