What Makes Your Pastor YOUR Pastor?

Having a pastor can be a very special gift. Since I no longer have one (because pastors really don’t have a pastor), this has really come to the forefront for me. But what does it mean to have a pastor? Well, I know it doesn’t necessarily mean:

• since my church has called a pastor now I have a pastor.
• since I go to worship and shake his/her hand now I have a pastor.
• since I donate to the church now I have a pastor.
• since I listen to him/her preach now I have a pastor.
• since I follow him/her on social media or his/her blog now I have a pastor.

Don’t get me wrong, these are all great things to do, but they don’t necessarily equate to having a pastor. Because having a pastor means having a relationship. And as you know, relationships take work, by all people involved. What kind of work?

• Spend quality time with your pastor. Sunday morning handshakes and chit chat is just not enough.
• So, invite your pastor to your home, to coffee, to lunch, to your children’s sports event/recital/play, to see your own hobbies/work, etc.
• Talk to your pastor about last Sunday’s sermon! They love this!
• Share your own passions with your pastor and how you’d like to use them through the work of the church.
• Pray for your pastor and tell your pastor that you’re doing so.
• Ask your pastor how he/she is really doing. Just be prepared for an honest answer!

1880 Pastor Over for Dinner in the South

These are just a few ways you can help make your pastor YOUR pastor. And of course it’s a two-way street. Pastors have their own work to do in this relationship.

What would you add to the list? What are other ways you have fostered your relationship with your pastors over the years? Likewise, what are some creative ways that pastor's have reached out to you? I'm always looking for new ideas!