17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:17-18

There’s no doubt about it: teaching and preaching pastors have difficult and burdensome jobs. The burden comes when the pastor feels the responsibility of feeding and caring for God’s flock. Pastors’ families are often right in the center of a fish bowl. Everyone sees and criticizes the activities of the family. Tomorrow we’ll address that issue.

There is a gross misconception about what a pastor does when he’s not preaching. I challenge you to shadow a pastor for a day or two. You’d be surprised at how many activities he’s involved with from visiting members to visiting the elderly to the various committees he sits on. Plus he needs to prepare teaching that will interest and feed his congregation every Sunday. The number of problems he hears during a given week would amaze you. But he can’t really talk about the problems to anyone outside of his wife (or outside counsel) so he has that burden as well.

Bathe your pastor in prayer this week. Let him know you are praying for him. I know he will appreciate it.