Category: Encouragement

Encouragement, Holidays (Other)

Words Fitly Spoken: 11 Ways to Encourage Your Pastor

Michelle Lesley

Originally published February 23, 2018

October is Pastor Appreciation Month!

I hope you have the blessing of sitting under good, biblical preaching at your church. I do. I’m always so thankful to hear God’s word beautifully preached in my own church, and I’m thankful for the all of the other godly men out there laboring faithfully each week to proclaim the truth of the gospel to the sheep God has entrusted to them.

Are you thankful for your pastor and a church that rightly handles God’s Word? Are you telling anybody you’re thankful? Are you telling your pastor?

The ministry is a tough job, and pastors need all the encouragement they can get. Sometimes it’s the little things you say and do that can be a blessing to your pastor and make his job easier and more joyful. Proverbs 25:11 says:

The ministry is a tough job, and pastors need all the encouragement they can get. Here are eleven ways you can encourage your pastor (and don’t forget your associate pastor, minister of music, youth pastor, etc.!)

Here are eleven ways you can encourage your pastor (and don’t forget your associate pastor, minister of music, youth pastor, etc.!)

1.
Pray for your pastor

Some specifics you can pray for:

💭 His wife and children

💭 His stress level, and for peace

💭 His finances and provision

💭 His marriage, and that he will be a good father

💭 That God will grow him in his understanding and handling of Scripture

💭 That God will grow him in discernment, and guard him from being influenced by false teachers/doctrine

💭 That God will protect him from temptation and lead him to repentance when he sins

💭 And here are even more ways to pray for your pastor.

Remember to tell your pastor you’re praying for him, and ask him if there’s anything in particular you can pray for him about.

2.
Show Up

First of all, Scripture says you’re supposed to be a faithful, active member of your local church. Second, it’s very discouraging to pastors when church members who are perfectly able to attend faithfully simply choose to let other, non-essential things take precedence.

3.
Be Present

Pay attention, be engaged, and have a pleasant look on your face during the sermon. If you’ve ever stood in front of a group of people, you know how easy it is to tell who’s “with you” and who’s not. And the more “with yous” there are out there, the more encouraging it is.

4.
A Word of Thanks

Just say thank you. Thank you for being my pastor, for being faithful to the Word, for encouraging me, for working so hard, for studying well…

Just say thank you. Thank you for being my pastor, for being faithful to the Word, for encouraging me, for working so hard, for studying well…

5.
Submit to His Leadership

Take Hebrews 13:17-18 seriously:


Yes, there are abusive pastors out there. Yes, there are pastors who are flagrantly disobedient to Scripture in their leadership. If that’s your pastor, leave that church and find a pastor you can trust (yes, I know it’s hard), and whose leadership you can submit to. Don’t be the constantly complaining, argumentative, nit picky thorn in your pastor’s side.

6.
Don’t Major on the Minors

If you do need to speak to your pastor about something you disagree with him about, whenever possible, try to make sure it’s a biblical issue rather than an issue of preference, and make sure you do it in love and kindness, not in an attacking way.

7.
Wait, Mr. Postman…

Isn’t it nice to open your mail or e-mail and find something besides bills and bad news? Send your pastor a note, card, or e-mail of encouragement.

Isn’t it nice to open your mail or e-mail and find something besides bills and bad news? Send your pastor a note, card, or e-mail of encouragement.

8.
C is for Cookie (and Calories)

Think before you bake. When I want to send someone a little token of encouragement, my first instinct is always to bake something. But a lot of pastors, like everyone else these days, are dieting, so use wisdom. Maybe a gift card to his favorite store or restaurant, a book by his favorite author, or a service he needs performed would be better. Here are some more ideas if you want to give your pastor a token of appreciation.

9.
Fitly Spoken Words

Tell your pastor something you learned from the sermon or how God has been growing you through his preaching. Let him know how your Sunday school class is maturing. Tell him about the good progress that’s being made in the committee you serve on or the ministry you serve in.

Tell your pastor something you learned from the sermon or how God has been growing you through his preaching.

10.
Perfect Timing

Do not pull your pastor aside right before the service to discuss anything that could wait until later. He needs to be focused on preaching and worship. And don’t detain him for long after the service, either. He’s probably hungry, tired, has to go to the bathroom, and wants to get home to his family. Make an appointment during the week.

11.
Nobody’s Perfect

Remember that your pastor is human. He’s going to sin. He’s going to get things wrong. Don’t assume he knows why you’re upset with him. Don’t hold a grudge. Extend the same grace you would to anyone else, and forgive.

What are some other ways we can encourage our pastors?

Encouragement, Politics

Encouragement for Election Day

Michelle Lesley

Originally published November 8, 2016

For those of us in the United States, by the end of the day, today, we will have a new President. Regardless of who wins, most Christians are anxious about how the next four years will go.

But Christ reminds us not to be worried or anxious. He wants us to remember that no matter what happens, we can trust Him to take care of us and carry us through. How can we keep that trust in God’s care and sovereignty at the forefront of our hearts and minds and not let worry creep in and take over? One of the ways I “reset” my mind is by rehearsing these truths through music. Here are some songs to remind us that God is sovereign and our one true King.

Lead on, O King Eternal

In Christ Alone

Because He Lives

 Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun

Rejoice, the Lord Is King

God Is in Control

The Hallelujah Chorus

 

I do not endorse any of these musicians insofar as they deviate from my Statement of Faith.

Encouragement

God is Still Working and I’ve Got Proof

Michelle Lesley

Originally published May 20, 2016

Has the world lost its collective mind, or what? From our presidential candidate options to perversion in public restrooms, to Christian business people having to risk their livelihood in order to operate in keeping with biblical principles, it seems like every time I turn around there’s some new piece of bad news smacking me in the face.

And it’s not just “out there,” either. The hits just keep on coming for the church as well. I hear almost daily from ladies who are distressed that the women of their church are being indoctrinated with false teaching in the name of “women’s Bible study.” Women who have left no stone unturned in their search for a doctrinally sound church to attend, and simply can’t find one in their area. Women who weep over their friends and loved ones held captive by the latest pop heresy.

It’s enough to discourage even the most bubbly of Pollyannas.

I wish good news got as much press as bad news, because, believe it or not, I hear from at least as many, if not more, women with encouraging stories to share about how God has been at work in their own lives, in their churches, and the in the lives of their friends and loved ones.

It always builds me up and gives me hope to hear their stories, so I thought it might encourage you, too. Take a look at what Christian women (and men!) like you are saying* about what God is doing in their lives – and what He can do in yours, too!

Wanted to share with you regarding your authors and speakers list. I sent it via e-mail to some friends. I received three positive responses back. One was already questioning [the doctrine of a particular false teacher]. She has been invited to one of [that false teacher’s] conferences. She will not be attending after reading this and will warn her friends that are attending.

[Another friend] shared with me that she feels God is calling her out of [a false doctrine church].

A pastor’s wife that thanked me for the information and said she will never be a a part of someone who embraces false doctrine.

I was thankful for your post on Priscilla Shirer and sent it to some women in our church. I had one very positive response with a request to learn more of the Scriptures.

I am thankful to be a member of a local church that is taught the Word of God through expository preaching and teaching. In fact, our pastor leads our “women’s ministry”. We are being taught theology and how to minister to one another and other women within our body and the ultimate body of Christ.

I told [the person leading the book study by a famous women’s Bible study author] that I was not signing up for the next one. I have just finished John MacArthur’s How to Study Your Bible, and I will begin reading the Bible through starting tomorrow morning. I just finished reading [the Bible] through this morning, but I am starting over again using the method he outlines in his book.

[I recently read your article] regarding Lysa TerKeurst. It made me extremely sad to read about her emergent-leaning doctrines. I’d been following P31 ministries for about two months when [I read the article]. I would appreciate any advice or direction you give me for biblically sound studies!

Here’s the view into my recycling bin. I was going to get rid of it last year, but ended up holding on to it. It’s gone now!

12227009_984483224931780_4841028828370165098_n


(From an elder at a doctrinally sound church)- I was not familiar with Beth Moore until I realized our women’s Bible group was hooked on Beth.

After bringing her un-biblical teachings to the attention of our elder board I am now charged with finding something better.Keep us in prayer as we attempt to wean the women off of Beth and onto the solid rock of the Word.

I’ve recently felt prompted to study more about sound Christian doctrine. Can you please provide a list for all your recommended Christian sound doctrine women [teachers]?

I went to the movie theater the day [Fifty Shades of Grey] came out. I’d say, on average there were 4 women to every man. They came in droves. I stood outside the theater and passed out gospel tracts. Seizing every opportunity, we must carry the gospel to them.

[As a women’s leader at my church, I got rid of] Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, Angela Thomas, and Lysa Terkeurst studies. My pastor is fully on board and is faithful to preach the Word each and every time we gather.

I have gotten rid of my copy of [a Christian mysticism book]. Now [female false teacher’s] book will follow.

[Several of us had to leave our former church due to false doctrine.] We all prayed [for a new, doctrinally sound church] and God answered our prayers. We have a church building and a pastor. We [recently] celebrated our church’s fourth anniversary.

My wife and I left our church of 20+ yrs. because God was gracious and truly regenerated our hearts, giving us eyes to see and ears to hear the unbiblical nature of what was happening.

I have left the last two churches I was a part of. Thankfully, we are now in a wonderful, Bible-believing, Gospel-centered, theologically/doctrinally sound church who believe discipling true Believers the way God has instructed us in the Bible is more important than how many people fill the seats.

This is just a tiny sampling of the many e-mails, comments, and private messages I’ve received from readers who are growing in Christ, serving in healthy churches, and helping others to grow in biblical truth. If you’re going through a rough time at your church, in your walk with the Lord, or are troubled by what’s going on in the world around you, rejoice with those who rejoice, and don’t be discouraged! The same God who carried these folks through their difficulties will carry you through yours.

Now it’s your turn to be an encourager.
How has God grown you in your relationship with Him, opened the eyes of a loved one to biblical truth, or made your church holier and more obedient to Scripture?

*I’ve changed or deleted a few identifying details to protect the writers’ anonymity.

Encouragement, Suffering, Tragedy

Throwback Thursday ~ Weeping with Those Who Weep

Michelle Lesley

Originally published August 26, 2016

It was the week after the historic Louisiana flood of 2016. I was driving down the road, if sitting through three red light cycles per intersection due to horrendous traffic could rightfully be called “driving,” that is. Hot and sweaty, filthy, emotionally drained, and exhausted from cleaning and hauling, I was making my way from my friend’s flooded house to help out at my ninety-five year old grandmother’s flooded house, guilt-stricken that I couldn’t be in both places at once.

And that’s when I heard it.

I was listening to one of my favorite theological podcasts, and when the host began talking about the flooding in Baton Rouge, my ears perked up. He began talking about God’s sovereignty- that, because God always does what is best for believers – for our discipline, growth in holiness, increased dependence on Christ, and the like – that this flood was good for us. He said it kindly, lovingly, and backed up with Scripture. And he was absolutely right.

Yet, three days after a life-altering catastrophe, with a heart still raw and broken for my loved ones and my community, it was exactly what I did not need to hear.

It’s crucial to bring good theology to bear on every situation we face in life. We need to apply Scripture to the situations we go through in order to help us make biblical sense of things, walk obediently, give thanks, and glorify God.

And yet, the Bible doesn’t say, “Give a theology lecture to those who weep.” It says, “Weep with those who weep.” Why? God is all about the Word, isn’t He? Why wouldn’t He want us to jump right in and exhort hurting people with scriptural principles?

Because He knows us. He created us.

People need a minute to take a breath and absorb everything that has happened to them before their hearts and minds are ready to transition into thinking theologically about the situation.

Sometimes we just need to sit and cry for a while. And maybe we need someone we love to sit and cry with us. No Romans 8:28. No talk about how God is going to use this to grow us. No discussion of whether God “caused” or “allowed” this tragedy. Just some time to grieve without having to think. And God’s word says that’s OK.

Even Job’s companions, poor theologians though they were, got this part right:

Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.

Job 2:11-13

But sometimes, even with the best of intentions, maybe without even realizing it, we skip the vital step of making an appointment to sympathize with and comfort our suffering loved ones. We neglect to rend our hearts and sit on the ground and weep with those who mourn. We fail to see that their suffering is very great. And yet this is one of the very ministries Christ calls us to.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.

A time to discuss theology, and a time to weep with those who weep.

Encouragement

Throwback Thursday ~ Testify

Michelle Lesley

Originally published August 9, 2016

When I was a kid, it was commonplace to bring people before the church to give their testimony about how they got saved. More often than not, it seemed like these people had been saved out of all sorts of horrible things: drug use, promiscuity, alcoholism, prostitution, crime, etc.

It made for a dramatic testimony of the power of Christ to save even the worst of the worst, but it often left those of us who had grown up in the church, had been saved at a young age, and had never really done much “bad stuff” feeling somewhat ashamed of our testimonies. As though they were too boring to tell.

Dramatic testimonies often leave those who were raised in church and saved young ashamed of our testimonies. As though they’re too boring to tell.

Recently, I was listening to an older lady give her testimony. She was saved in her 30s, and prior to that had been promiscuous and had a couple of failed marriages. But what struck me most about her story was not that Christ saved her from these things (although that was certainly amazing and glorious), but that this lady so regretted her past sins that she said she used to sit and weep and ask God, “Why didn’t You save me sooner?”.

And it hit me. This lady would have given anything for a “boring” testimony like mine. She has scars and shame that, while covered and forgiven by the blood of Christ, she will always remember and regret.

And it hit me. This lady would have given anything for a “boring” testimony like mine.

If you were saved at a young age and never really did anything “bad”, you, too, have a beautiful testimony that you should never be ashamed of. God not only saved you from your sin, He saved you before you could do many evil things that you would later look back on and regret.

Lots of your brothers and sisters in Christ would give anything to have a “boring” testimony like yours.