How to be a Blessing to Your Pastor

Sometimes people will ask me as their pastor how they can be a help and a blessing to me. Typically I'll tell them that they have already been a blessing to me, as usually these are the people that are actively serving the Lord and working at being a blessing. In many churches (there are probably a few in every church) people may attend church but are very apathetic towards the things of God and lackadaisical about their own spiritual growth. There is no interest to find a role they can serve in at the church, or there is not much passion poured into the ministries that they are involved in. I am privileged to pastor here at Napavine Baptist Church that has people that genuinely have a heart for the the Lord Jesus Christ. It is always a blessing to me as the pastor when people are serving God with their talents, skills, time, and treasure. 

This summer people have been a blessing to me as their pastor by helping with the upkeep of the house of God, by donating wood to use, planing and cutting the wood as needed, painting the buildings, and shortly we will be installing trim to finish off the exterior projects. People have been a blessing helping with office administrative stuff, such as printing the bulletins, data-entry, etc. Also helping in the kitchen; preparing for events and cleaning after activities. We have also been involved in three parades passing out invitations to our Vacation Bible School, and it has been a great week of VBS this week! Bro. Fred Matthews of WAS Kidz Ministries has been a blessing for our VBS as our guest speaker, song leader, ventriloquist, giving bible illusions, as the game coordinator, and much more! (I'd recommend him to any pastors who would love to have an exciting and God honoring VBS in their church) What a blessing it has been with several people, including our senior saints, come out to spend time ensuring VBS is a success for the children. People are a blessing to me through the ministries they serve in; whether it be in music, as a Sunday School teacher, as a deacon, serving as ushers, working with the sound equipment, working in the nursery (a huge blessing to my wife), or simply getting me a cup of water as I prepare to preach. 

It is also a blessing hearing about people honoring their pastor to others in their speech. I'm not talking about thinking of me above measure, as our focus is to be on Christ, not the pastor. 2 Corinthians 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. It speaks volumes of a church's unity and focus on Christ's vision when people are not murmuring about the church, other people, or the pastor, but rather are lifting each other up. I've had visitors on more than one occasion come to me and compliment on the church's love for Jesus, their care for other people, and that "people really love you and your family here, they speak highly of you as their pastor." I am both embarrassed and blessed by such a compliment upon the church family. It really shows a church aligned with 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. It is a great testimony to others in the church, to visitors, and even to those without in the community when we speak well of each other.

While there are many ways people have been been and continue to be a blessing to me as their pastor, there is one particular way that abundantly blesses me above all else as I strive to serve the Lord alongside the people of Napavine Baptist Church. This morning I watched this video clip of Pastor Paul Chappell of Lancaster Baptist Church and he sums it up very well. Watch the following video to see how you can be an exceptional blessing to your pastor, and ultimately to the Lord Jesus Christ.