I shared all about encouragement on Monday and the integral part it plays for believers. Today, I want to talk about the importance encouragement plays for pastors and ministers.

Ministry is a tough business. Ministry isn’t a 9 to 5 job, it’s an “all hours of the day and night” job. People always have needs and they don’t turn off at the end of the work day. In fact, things often get busier for ministers during the evening when others are off work. In Colorado, last month at the pastor’s retreat Kyle and I attended, we saw so many pastors on the verge of burnout, discouraged and frustrated. Ministry can also be a lonely business. Pastors get heightened to a higher level and people feel they need to distance themselves rather than befriend. Ministers and pastors need a cheerleader. They need someone to see all they do and encourage and cheer for them along the way.

I thanked a friend last week for being my cheerleader. She serves with me on our kids ministry team and she is always encouraging and affirming me. I told her how important she was to me and that actually encouraged her to keep on being an encouragement. Often, we hesitate saying something kind because we think the person already knows it or it makes us uncomfortable. Don’t let satan discourage you from saying something affirming and loving to another person!

Satan loves to isolate pastors and ministers and make them feel like no one knows what they do each and every day. Pastors and ministers…don’t buy the lie (PS–remember you work for the Lord and not for man)! Lay leaders, speak up! Let those in ministry know that you appreciate them and love them. Satan wants our church community broken so it cannot further the Gospel. We can’t let that happen. We must encourage and build one another up so we can continue to be unified and accomplish the work God has called us to.  

Thanks for letting me share,