A Word of Encouragement

The Christian Century had a page story about "killer churches." They are the churches which have internal conflicts or dysfunctional members who chew up pastors and spit them out about every two years. Denominations and Bishops just keep sending preachers into the "lion's den."

On the other hand, there are constant articles on how congregations can help the minister in his work with them. There are good suggestions: pray for them, encourage them to take time away, volunteer for some of the work, and others.

But last Sunday there was a stream of people who came by and said the same thing and I was tremendously encouraged. They did not tell me what a great sermon I had. They did not say they liked the joke. What they talked about was the impact of the whole service. Almost to the person they talked about the whole worship experience. That was truly a blessing to me.

I would encourage members to consider encouraging your ministers by taking note and commenting on the whole service. I understand that for Protestant Christians the Sermon is the center point, but from my own experiences I know that much consideration goes into picking the hymns, that there may be hours spent composing or finding an appropriate confession of sin. The last Ernest Campbell who preached at Riverside Church in New York once said he spent a day on his pastoral prayers. Those of us who do write out our prayers put in as much time on the prayers per page as we do on the sermon.

Announcements need to be communicated to the congregation, but the fewer there are and the less time they take in the service the better the chance that the worship will be focused and appropriate.

If you want to give a word of encouragement to your pastor commend him on the other parts of the service as well as the sermon.