July 7, 2008 -- Encouraging the Pastor - 2 Timothy 1:1-6 Do you attend church? If so, God has placed a person in your life who wants to train you in righteousness and speak the truth. He does this even when you don't want to hear it. You're blessed to have a pastor who loves you and cares about your spiritual well-being. He needs to know you care about him, too.
Many churchgoers neglect to encourage the pastor. But caring for him is part of being in the body of Christ. In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul models the way we're to encourage those who minister:
First, tell your pastor you appreciate him. There's nothing more uplifting to a person's heart than to know someone else cares. Words are certainly valuable. But actions speak even louder. So look for ways to demonstrate love for your preacher.
Second, express confidence in the pastor. Let him know you recognize the sincerity of his faith and appreciate his commitment to speak scriptural truths.
Third, affirm the call of God on his life. Work with your pastor. Respond to him in a way that shows you understand he's been called to minister and has God's hand upon him. And when you experience the Lord working through him, let him know.
Above all, pray for your pastor. Don't assume that others in the church are praying or that a spiritual leader doesn't need prayer. The opposite is true. The Devil wants to prevent effective ministering. You can help defend the minister who loves you.
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