At Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock a group of ladies meet every other week and pray specifically for the church, including its pastor and ministry staff.
“These women have a godliness about them that is obvious. Their intentional prayers for me, my family and my role as a pastor have served to encourage me many times. I’m so thankful for people in the church that pray for me and speak affirmation into my life. Every pastor needs encouragement and encouragers,” Senior Pastor Ken Shaddox said.
Marty Davis, one of the ladies involved in the Park Hill Baptist Church prayer group, said along with prayer another way to show support could be through a personal note.
“It doesn’t have to be long. Just a few words. … It means a lot. And not just for the pastor but the other staff members as well,” Davis said.
Grey Falanga, pastor at Walnut Street Baptist Church in Jonesboro, said one thing that has been an encouragement to him is the church’s Personal Intercessory Team.
“When one of my kids is sick or having nightmares or has had a bad day, they know about it and they pray, specifically for them and my whole family. They prayed for my dad in his heart troubles. They pray for me specifically when I have had a difficult week or when I’m doubting myself or having nightmares myself,” Falanga said. “The weight they remove in prayer, it’s just not capable of being calculated.”
As of March 2022, the percentage of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year sits at 42 percent. That’s according to data released earlier this year by Barna Group, a research organization that monitors cultural and religious trends in America.
“What reasons do pastors give when asked why they’ve thought about stepping down for good? Stress, loneliness and political division are the three items that rise to the surface,” the Barna Group shared in an article.
“While stress, isolation and division are impacting these church leaders’ ability to lead, they presently remain committed to full-time ministry. It’s possible some of these pastors are anchored by certain beliefs and experiences of their calling.”
For instance, the Barna Group said four in five of pastors who have not considered quitting say they believe in the value of their ministry. Additionally, three-quarters feel they have a duty to stay and fulfill their calling in ministry and that they are satisfied with their job.
“Many of these same pastors also share that their family and community support them well, calling attention to the importance of strong and encouraging relationships in pastors’ lives,” the Barna Group said.
In ministry, Bill Miller, who formerly spent more than 40 years in the ministry and now attends First Baptist Church in Fayetteville, said as a pastor there is the good, the bad and the ugly. He said for most of them there is not as much ugly as there is good, but the ugly tends to leave the impression.
“You can get a lot of mileage out of thoughtful kind things people say,” Miller said, noting over the years he has written several notes, emails and text messages as well as received them.
Mark Gay, who attends Lakeview Baptist Church in Cave Springs, said encouragement can be as simple as telling the pastor after a sermon he did a great job.
“I’ll give him (Pastor Johnny Harp) a big hug and tell him he did a great job. Sometimes he’ll come out and say, I really bombed that one. I say, dude, that was great,” Gay said, noting the importance of encouragement. “It means a lot. It doesn’t matter what job you’re at.”
In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, it says, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord … regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”
A specific time congregations can show support and give thanks for pastors who give, care and serve their congregations and communities is October, Pastor Appreciation Month. The second Sunday, Oct. 8, is Pastor Appreciation Day.