Church pastors: words of encouragement to pastors in danger of pastor burnout.

Church pastors,
facing pastoral burnout,
need more than a poem for pastors!

Today, more than ever, we need to offer words of encouragement to church pastors!

If I could write a poem for pastors, It would come from the heart of one who spent 30 years being addressed as "Pastor Paul". (I never insisted on the a title like "Reverend".)

When I was among the ranks of church pastors, I had my people address me as "Pastor Paul". It reminded me to be humble in my pastoral role as a sheperd of the flock assigned me.

To me, being called Pastor Paul was a constant reminder of my God given assignment, a two word job description to provide spiritual care for a church needing a pastor.

Giving Encouragement To Pastors

I love giving encouragement to pastors! I do so often in another Blog I write, Careers With Purpose Blog, aimed at church pastors, often close to pastor burnout, in which I offer a positive message -- words of encouragement to pastors who just may be feeling the Monday morning "blues".

Often pastors long to hear someone say, "Pastor, thanks for your obedience to God's call. My life is richer because of your ministry to me".

Talk about words of encouragement! I always appreciated the few who did just that when I was a pastor of a local parish.

I have served as both senior pastor, associate pastor, and even as a youth pastor in my own "youth" while still a student in college.

I loved serving as an associate pastor. To me, an associate pastor is a church's chief encouager to his or her pastor.

A Perfect Pastor Appreciation Gift For A Spiritual Caregiver

As you consider pastor appreciation gift ideas, how about a new high precision wood working tool. Seriously, most pastors need a hobby and a wood working hobby seems to me a perfect pastor appreciation gift for a spiritual care giver because wood working is what Jesus did for much of his life.

I often wonder, why did Jesus choose to be a carpenter as a profession, working with wood as he prepared to be more than a carpenter, the Saviour of the world.

A Wood Working Link To A Unique Pastor Appreciation Gift

Nonetheless, let me suggest this wood working link for a unique pastor appreciation gift, a subscription to a great wood working magazine, Woodworker's Journal.

Woodworker's Journal is the "Voice of the Woodworking Community". Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Woodworker's Journal offers:

great wood working projects,
wood working tool tips such as setting up an efficient wood working bench,
wood working tool reviews featuring a high precision tool for wood working in each issue,
free wood working plan resources,
and techniques for woodworkers of all skill levels! Click here to Subscribe online and get two free gifts!

I believe a hobby or diversion such as wood working can be just the tool for constructing a way to deal with ministry career stress.

The Most Famous Encourager of Pastors

"Good Ole Barnie" is what we would call him today. Barnabas,in the Book of Acts in the New Testament of the Bible, was so good at encouragement that they nicknamed him "Son of Encouragement".

How about you? Are you famous in your circles for being an encourager? If Christ does anything for us, he changes us into positive encouragers, especially to pastors needing encouragement.

Associate Pastors, Encourage Your Boss

Basically, if I had to define an associate pastor's job description, it would be "make the senior pastor look good!".

Flexibility is the key for the associate pastor -- you never know which of the various "church hats" you will be wearing in a particular week. When our church bought a reader board church sign, I become the Associate Pastor of Church Sign Sayings!

Averting Pastoral Burnout

The number of pastors said to be leaving the ministry is staggering! Some say 1,500 per month! I have seen the figure as high as 1800. Whether they are leaving senior pastor jobs or youth pastor jobs, for most churches one pastor leaving is one too many who is quitting their church.

Leaving the ministry, as some call it, is not because of ill health (other than being sick and tired of the unrealistic expectations job descriptions for pastors place on them.)

What can you do? Pray for pastors! Everytime I drive past a church campus, I see it as a prompter to pray for church pastors.

Yes, I believe pastor burnout can be averted simply by words of encouragement to pastors. Oh yeah, many pastors could also use a raise!

Just when is it time to for a pastor to relocate or even consider other ministry career options. For some solid counsel, see Is It Time To Consider A New Church Position?