—Stifle the urge to tell the preacher the latest gossip about some church member because, after all, “I thought you needed to know this.”
—Kill the inner desire to let the pastor know that old Mr. Crankshift is upset because the pastor never visited him in rehab. You can actually handle this yourself. If the old gentleman is really upset and griping about the pastor to others, forget everything I said above about not correcting people and do him a favor. Tell him to get off this self-centered kick and to appreciate that the pastor has more important things to do than hold the hand of every church member who spends a few hours in the hospital.
Seriously, tell him that. He needs to hear it from someone and the pastor cannot say it. You can. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend …” (Proverbs 27:6).
Paul’s counsel (see 2 Timothy 4) to “convince, rebuke, exhort” was given a) to church leaders about b) followers of Jesus. Therefore, in the context of the Christian community, you may gently do this. Otherwise—on the streets and highways—approach with caution!
—Control that tendency to give the pastor instructions, directions, corrections on anything. Pray for him.
The best thing you can ever do for your church and the community is to pray for your pastor.
Give thanks for him and thanks to him.
At lunch one day this week, my granddaughter said, “One thing I really like about Pastor Mike’s preaching is when he gets a little off subject and tells a story. He tells great stories, and I love to hear them.” I said, “Tell him. He needs to hear this.”
Never stifle the urge to encourage your pastor.
After re-reading the above, I come away thinking once again, “Without the Holy Spirit guiding us in these matters, we would never know whether to speak up or hold our tongue. Help us, Lord.”
I Thessalonians 5:19 has the last word. “Quench not the Spirit.”
He will never steer you wrong.
