Every pastor needs an MVP or a whole tribe of them.
An MVP is a Most Valuable Partner.
MVP’s will walk a mile in – not on – their pastor’s shoes.
MVP’s know pastors are people first and pastors second.
3 Things I Know For Sure
1. People overwhelmingly love their pastors.
2. People often don’t express their love for their pastors. Church goers are more likely not to say anything about their pastors than express their love for them.
3. Critics often drown out those who love their pastors. Negative people tend to be relatively loud but in the distinct minority. As a consequence, pastors often feel like critics represent the majority. Most of the time, the vast majority of people are very positive about their pastors, but they are quiet as well.
9 Ways To Be Your Pastor’s MVP
1. Be openly supportive. Pray for your pastor. Then show up early before a church service to tell your pastor that you prayed for them. Write them an encouraging note. Hug your pastor.
2. Roll up your sleeves and become a part of the team. Volunteer. Join in. Find a need and fill it.
3. Follow the leadership of your Pastor. Nothing fires up a pastor like the affirmation of people who are not trying to get them fired.
“…they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17).
4. Pray! Pray! Pray for your Pastor. Ask God to shower your Pastor with an abundance of love, hope, joy, faith, peace, power, wisdom, and courage.
Pray for your Pastor’s maturity and growth in faith.
Pray for their family.
5. Treat your Pastor with optimism.
Be mindful of this advice from the German writer, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “If you treat a person as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.”
6. Stand with your Pastor through tough times. A pastor stands with you in the adverse circumstances of life, doesn’t forsake you when others may abandon you, helps hold you accountable to your values, forgives and encourages you if or when you fail.
7. Support the ministry and your Pastor financially.
8. Give your Pastor the benefit of the doubt. Support your pastor even when they can’t publicly explain why certain decisions or actions have been made. Oftentimes, to protect the privacy of others, pastors frequently cannot disclose everything publicly… and professional ethics sometimes demand silence over issues that are very sensitive.
If a tough decision takes place, support your pastor and avoid the criticism that usually comes along with such situations.
9. Stay focused on the BIG picture. The big picture is JESUS. Work with your pastor to bring souls into the Kingdom of God.
Don’t get weighed down by church politics, nonsense, offenses or whatever else goes on, but keep your focus on Jesus and on what your church and your pastor are really all about.
Are you an MVP? If in doubt, ask your pastor. Please leave a comment below. Thank you!
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Thanks a lot for this pastor. I shall try and do these in my church.
Hi Pastor Bob, I have learned that part of living a healthy life is asking for what we need. If we can’t define it no one can for us. I think your post is absolutely appropriate. For a humble guy it might be hard but we all know you are not a self-serving fella. I am glad you are my Pastor – this post made me realize how important it is that I pray for all the NPCC Pastors and team and act out my love for my church family by participating, giving of time/resources and by being present in my thoughts, words, and actions. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Peace.
Thank you Sharlene for the “sunshine!” We appreciate you praying for us, very much. Great that you are an MVP!
You pastor will appreciate your efforts. Thanks for being an MVP!
Pastor Bob, I pray for you, all the Pastors and everyone at NP every day. This includes the Serenity Prayer and Bible verses. I love all of you and am thankful and grateful for all you do. I am supporting NP in my small ways. I hope to do more in time to come. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me and I know to others as well. May you be blessed with serenity, courage, wisdom, peace and joy each day.
Pastor Bob, 20 yrs after Barb and I had the privilege of serving under your leadership, we are still grateful for your selfless service to the Lord, and the impact your Godly example had upon our lives. Even though it’s been two decades since I sat in your pews on a regular basis, you continue to challenge me through your tweets and blog posts. I love them. As the Lord brings you to mind, I thank God for you, and ask him to continue to bless the work of your hands. There’s no one else like you. Even though our lives revolve around WECA, apart from Glenn, we will always consider you as our pastor. Be blessed!
Hello Patricia. Thank you for your prayer and for your very special kindness. Much appreciated.
Thanks, Shane. 20 years ago…WOW…but they say when you’re having fun time flies. People like you and Barb help make ministry fun. Always great to see you at a Glubish/Keating event or dedication or music presentation. You are a blessing to Glenn and WECA!
This post is not self serving. Anyone who truly serves God, serves others, especially a pastor who serves the flock. You are a treasure to all of us. I DEFINITELY love my pastor and his wife very much! And all the pastors and their loved ones at NPCC. I am very grateful God has gifted me with an amazing church, amazing pastors, and wonderful sisters in Christ.
I had been praying as MM every day and it took this post to realize I’d let it slide. Back on track today. Praying for each of you daily. Supporting your decisions based on the Word of God and loving you dearly,
Calay
Thank you for being an MM for our staff! Your appreciation has been “telt” and “felt” by myself and our staff. Knowing that NP is a great place for you and your family is affirming to us.
Great
article Pastor Bob. You are always an encouragement. After forty years
as Pastors we have had a few encouraging MVP’s that have been a blessing
to us. Truth be known they are like an Oasis often in a dry land.
Still praying for you everyday I drive my school bus. Thank you for
putting your life into the written words as I share your passion. My
writing ‘There Is Hope’ is up to 980 articles in the last three years. I
will never forget the Servant leader/pastor heart when you spent the
whole night with us after Mom [Irene] Stiller’s accident. about 16 years
ago. Blessing to you and you ministry and your family.
Pastor Arthur Mcgregor Greg Rathjen
I love you pastor Bob (and Jocelyn too)!! I count myself blessed to follow your leadership!!
Always a pleasure to serve your family and to read your writing. The Stiller/Rathjen clan are a powerful influence for the kingdom of God. Keep up the good work of writing. Everyone needs HOPE.
Thank you Antia…I feel the hug! 🙂
We love Northpointe. There’s so much to love. I love hearing your messages, Pastor Bob. There have been many times where I’m awed by how you arrived at the end of your message from where you began. I always feel like you have pulled me through something and I’m a different person leaving the church than when I entered. Thank you so much for that, and all your TIME. You and Jocelyn are truly inspiring people.
I love the Goethe quote. I try and treat my students in this manner.
I can’t imagine anyone not loving you, Joseyln, and all the other NPCC Pastors and their families. You are so loveable and worthy of our respect and trust. But, you are right, even though you have all my support, all of the time, I seldom put it into words. I assume you know how wonderful you are and what a tremendous job you do. It is so obvious. The Pastors at NP are ordinary people I can relate to. I also see God’s unconditional transforming love at work in their lives. Their source of authority is the image of Christ, God is creating in them. NP Pastors are gifted teachers who live what they preach. They lead by example. One of the most important things you (Bob), model for me, is listening more than talking. You also demonstrate how to be last, not first, when a meal is served. Better yet, you are willing to cook and serve! Most importantly, the Pastors at NP do not condemn sinners. They accept them unconditionally and challenge them to begin a new life with Jesus. I want to love people like they do.
It is never self serving to ask for prayer, encouragement and help. Jesus taught us to give and recieve love. In the garden of Gethsemane, He asked His disciples to watch and pray. He shared His fears and burdens with them, and was sad when they fell asleep. Thanks for waking me up. I love you and pray for all NP Pastors every Tuesday (I have a weekly prayer list).
You are an MVP! Thanks for sharing and supporting. I love the people I get to share messages with. Its a privilege being a pastor and being your pastor.
You are an MVP, Shirley! Whether its at Superstore or North Pointe, I always enjoy connecting with you. Its important to our staff that people can come as they are to North Pointe and consistently experience gracious acceptance and inclusion. Thanks for the prayers and the care.
The whole experience with COVID convinced me even further about the need to be our pastors’ biggest cheerleaders. In all of my communication with my District team I encouraged them to be the Aarons and Hurs in holding up their pastors’ arms. To purpose to pray fervently for them and to encourage them. Thanks so much for this blog! I am going to share it with my team.
You have always been an inspiration to me Pastor Bob. From the time I arrived at North Pointe 13 years ago…I have enjoyed every part of being a member of that church. From singing in the choir (where I made the most connections & made some awesome friends), to “wrangling” kids in Sunday School with the Children’s Pastors, & “slinging hash” at all the festivals, & being part of their Connect Team. I am so glad that you were the one that baptized me. Jocelyn has been such a blessing too. You are a “power couple” in every way. So glad to see you at Life Church as well. Have a great weekend! I love your blog. Keep on, keeping on.
Awesome Glenda! Share away.
Thanks for this article, Bob. Having been in vocational ministry for 40+ years, I can’t tell you how important MVPs are.
Continued blessings on you and Jocelyn!