Thrive_Autumn 2019 digital issue

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Church folks are all volunteers. They can simply leave when disciplined or challenged
to commitment. We cannot offer monetary incentives or benefits. The best
leaders can do is promise work without pay, time away from family and, if things
go according to Scripture, they will know suffering as part of their reward. That’s a
benefit package that likely won’t attract hundreds to service.
Over 1,000 pastors will be forced to resign this month in North America. In the
next decade, approximately 40% of today’s pastors will be in another line of work.
I wonder if that will be true of engineers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, or other
professionals. The fact is, most healthy churches are churches with long pastoral
tenures. My mentor used to say that most significant and impactful change in the
local church happens between years seven and ten of a pastor’s tenure. Pastors
leaving every four to six years could actually be harming the church in Canada.
What is the answer? I am not certain there is only one solution, but one answer is
prayer.
Pastors seeking out prayer partners. Church members organizing intentional
prayer for their pastor(s). Why not? The Apostle Paul asked for prayer:
• “Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that
my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints…”
Romans 15:31 (BSB)
• “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me
so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…”
Ephesians 6:10-20 (NIV)
• “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message…”
Colossians 4:3 (NIV)
Like Moses, who leaned on Aaron and Hur, Paul needed prayer support for his
enormous responsibilities. Many members in our churches need to come alongside
their pastor(s) and pray fervently for them. Ministry is not a one-man show,
but a team effort.
In this edition of Thrive, we are investigating the many ways in which we
should—and must—care for our inner spiritual lives. While this is the responsibility
of every spiritual leader, we can come alongside our pastors and partner with
them in prayer. The month of October is “Pastor Appreciation Month” – a great
way to support your pastor is to pray!
JOBS IN NORTH AMERICA ARE:
CHURCH PASTOR.”
Steven Jones is President of The
Fellowship of Evangelical Baptist
Churches in Canada. Follow Steve on
Twitter @FellowshipSteve.