by Dr. Jack Hyles (1926-2001)
One of the most sacred relationships in all of the world is the relationship that the pastor of a church should have with his or her people.
God is not served when the people are dissatisfied with their pastor – nor is God served when the pastor has a bitter attitude toward his people.
In the church, to serve God, the people and the pastor should love one another, pray together, work together, and give together.
Following are 10 KEYS TO BUILDING A GREAT CHURCH:
1. LOVE YOUR PEOPLE.
Ask God to bless you with a heart full of love for the people that you serve. This does not mean that you need to always condone what they do.
As a parent scolds a child, the pastor who scolds his people because he is tired of their sinning and squabbling is wrong. A pastor whose heart is broken because of the sins of his people, and scolds them for their own good (and not his), is right.
Many otherwise intelligent, educated pastors have failed in their duty to their church and to God, because of a fundamental lack of a deep, abiding love for their people.
2. EXPRESS YOUR LOVE FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
Some pastors carry a little pad around with them, and when they think of some member who has been a blessing to them, the church, or the community, they jot the name down, and later write that member a personal note, or express their appreciation personally.
As a pastor, your people do so much for us they pray for us, overlook our faults, forget our mistakes, and make us what we are. Remember to express to them your love and appreciation.
3. PRAY FOR YOUR PEOPLE.
The pastor should call the names of his people in prayer, especially those who have burdens, illnesses, and heartaches.
When a family is having trouble, the pastor should pray for them. Often a little note or a phone call from you will be a tremendous encouragement to individual members.
4. DO NOT USE YOUR PEOPLE TO BUILD A GREAT WORK, BUT USE YOUR WORK TO BUILD A GREAT PEOPLE.
It is not the job of the pastor to build great churches. It IS the job of the pastor to LIFT PEOPLE UP to be GREAT CHRISTIANS!
To use the people only to build great works misses the point of the Church.
It is the task of the pastor to use good works to build great people.
The greatest product of a pastor’s effort is not to build tall monuments to himself, or even to God.
The greatest work of the pastor is to lead a Christian to growth in the grace of the Lord, and not simply to see his membership grow.
Individuals are important. When the pastor learns to see his people as individuals and not as a flock, and to rejoice more over a Christian who grows in his or her faith than over a building that goes up, then he has developed a true PASTORS HEART.
5. MAKE YOUR PEOPLE FEEL THAT YOU ARE THEIRS.
People like to feel that they have a pastor. They like to feel that the pastor belongs to them, and equally belong to him.
Do not let yourself allow your people to feel secondary. Spend some time with them.
Many pastors spend so much time with each other, or with the high leaders of the church, that their people do not feel that they can fellowship with him themselves.
Live with and among your people, love them, pray for them, work with them and for them and seek their good, not your own.
6. EAT IN THE HOMES OF YOUR PEOPLE.
It is good for the pastor to be in the homes of his or her people.
When a member invites you for a meal, try never to reject such an invitation. It is a mutual blessing. The people need to fellowship with their pastor, and the pastor needs the fellowship of the people.
Children especially will know the pastor better when he visits in their home. If the pastor is kind, thoughtful, and understanding to the children, they will become his pals, and will feel a kinship with him.
7. GIVE THE PEOPLE SOME TIME AT HOME.
Many of your people are tired. As pastors, we preach to them long and hard that they should have a Christian home, and then give them no time to have a Christian home.
The pastor should encourage his people to spend some time at home. Then, he should take care not to plan such a heavy church program that it will consume all of their nights.
With some time at home together, it becomes easier for the family to pray together and to stay together.
When families understand that the pastor is genuinely concerned about their problems, then they will love and appreciate him more.
8. BE WITH YOUR PEOPLE IN THEIR TIMES OF NEED.
When a person is to have an operation, go to the hospital and have a period of prayer with them.
When a couple is married, spend some time with them.
When a baby comes, rejoice over the coming of the baby.
Little things like these make a pastor dear to the hearts of his people.
9. REMEMBER THAT YOUR PEOPLE MAKE YOU WHAT YOU ARE.
A good church and congregation can make a good pastor; a poor church and congregation can make a poor pastor.
Likewise a good church and congregation who are led by a poor pastor, who has not the love of his people nor the interests of God in his heart, can be the ruination of a church.
Be observant and thankful for the opportunities that you have been given to serve God and your people, and the many ways that they work together to make you who you are.
10. NEVER REJECT ANYTHING FROM YOUR PEOPLE.
“Even if all they offer you is a glass of water, drink it. They are offering it as to unto the Lord!”
(Dr. George W. Truett, 1867-1944)
As a pastor, you are ordained to serve and to lead your people forward in their experience of God’s grace.
What they offer to you as a pastor of God’s children is offered as to God. Accept it, and be grateful to God, regardless of how small the gift.
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