Exodus 25-28: When Les and I were much younger in the pastorate one of the older gentlemen in the church used to pick on Les about just working 3 hours a week. He would chuckle as he would ask Les why he didn’t get a certain thing done since he only worked part time. Les took it in good stride because he knew the man knew the truth that many hours were spent every day carrying the burdens of the church.
I thought it interesting that God is the one who from the beginning of the setting apart Aaron and his sons for ministry He put the burden of the people on the shoulders of the priest.
Exodus 28:12And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.
28: 29So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the Lord. 30And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the Lord. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the Lord regularly.
If you did not grow up in a pastor’s home or were close to the family you may not realize how heavy a burden your pastor carries for you. From the time you are born until the time you breath your last your pastor bears a responsibility to teach you correctly the word of God. He prays for you. He hurts with you when you go through hard times. He rejoices with you when times are good. When you ask him to preform a marriage ceremony for you he is responsible before God to make sure you are marrying someone who will lead you or you will lead before the Father in a way that brings Him glory. When your marriage falls apart your pastor bears the burden of wondering how he has let you down as a couple and how he could help you make wiser decisions as a believer. He goes before the Lord on your behalf not just about your marriage but about how to help lead all of the church into a deeper relationship with the Lord. He brings God’s word to you each week not out of just putting together a good talk, but actually seeking the Father on your behalf to ask what is it that God wants to speak to this congregation. Prayer and study are always a part of sermon preparation. And that doesn’t begin to touch the hours weekly spent counseling, encouraging, meeting with committees, visiting those in need and so much more. Your pastor truly does bear you on his heart before the Father. Isn’t it interesting that Aaron did not bear Israel on his sandals or thigh, but at the heart because everything he as the priest did was with the congregation in mind. The same is true for you my friend. You are carried at and in your pastor’s heart. Don’t forget that and when you are tempted to criticize or grumble against him remember he is not just filling a pulpit but standing before the Father on your behalf. Please consider being kind if only for that reason.
Disclaimer: the above is written by a Pastor’s daughter, a Pastor’s sister, a Pastor’s wife and two Pastor’s mom.