Hard Work, High Regard

Every member of the body of Christ has been called to serve. Some are privileged to devote larger portions of time to their work and "receive their living from the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:14). Yet, while we dub them with the noble (and demanding) title of "minister," we often misunderstand these servants of God.

They aren't super-saints. They are sinners saved by grace. Most ministers I know truly aspire to lift up Christ and serve his people, not promote themselves and fleece the flock. Many of them demonstrate great perseverance and faithfulness in their work. Yet, ministers are not invincible. When they get cut, they bleed. They get allergies and toothaches. Family problems perplex them, harsh criticism hurts them, seasons of depression vex them. They wrestle with the same temptations you do, but they realize there's something extra at stake when a leader loses the battle.

Ministers aren't one-dimensional. What you see at church is only a small slice of who they are and what they do. Most of them put in long hours at their jobs. They have hobbies, musical preferences, favorite restaurants and sports teams. They don't mow the lawn while wearing a suit and tie.

Ministers aren't super-human. They're works in progress—flawed human beings who sometimes eat too much, worry too much, and pray too little. They have days when they don't feel like getting out of bed—even on Sunday! Their feet feel comfortable on common ground, not on a pedestal.

Ministers aren't all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present. They aren't the only persons qualified to pray at public gatherings. They don't know the answer to every question, they can't fix every problem, and try as they might, they can't remember everybody's name. You might find this hard to believe, but sometimes they're even speechless! They can't be three places at once. And like you, they scratch their heads in consternation when they read something in the Bible that's hard to explain.

Ministers aren't all alike. No two preachers leave the same fingerprints on the pulpit. They aren't carbon-copies or clones. They all have unique personalities and strengths.

Ministers aren't all the same age. If youthfulness disqualified them, Timothy couldn't have led the church at Ephesus. If old age disqualified them, Moses couldn't have led the Israelites across the wilderness.

Ministers aren't the sole possessors of every possible spiritual gift. Like the rest of us, they are just parts of the body—arms, legs, ears, eyes—with gifts to use for the glory of God. While many ministers lead by preaching, others do their best work behind the scenes.

Ministers aren't inexhaustible. They grow tired, and sometimes they feel discouraged. Friends let them down, like Demas who deserted the apostle Paul for worldly pursuits. Health lets them down, like the stomach problems and frequent illnesses that plagued Timothy.

Every Christian needs our understanding and encouragement, and that includes our leaders. Pray for their families. Be patient with their shortcomings. Make their work a joy, and make their ministries more fruitful by fulfilling your own. The whole body of Christ benefits when you "respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work" (1 Thessalonians 4:12, 13).