How to Support Your Pastor
Healthy pastors help make healthy churches
Being a pastor is no longer good for one’s health. And many have left the ministry due to a lack of support from those they served.
Even The New York Times weighed in on this crisis:
Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could. (Vitello, Paul. “Taking a Break From The Lord’s Work,” The New York Times, August 1, 2010)
Congregations need to pay attention to this problem since emotionally strained and spiritually unhealthy pastors are not good for the body of Christ.
And it’s not enough for congregations to put the onus on the pastors to simply “be healthy,” “get rest,” and “trust in the Lord.” Church members themselves need to actively and consistently love, encourage, and support their pastors.
