When I was a child, my father was usually the preacher wherever we went.  While it was not his full time profession, he was always preaching.  I always assumed that churches were perfect, never had problems, and that ministers like my daddy were the greatest people in the world.

I never fully understood about how churches can really be a painful place until I got into full time ministry.  I can’t even begin to count the number of ministers I know who have been let go, fired, asked to leave, left out of frustration….the list goes on and on.  I never knew this happened.  It made it all the more real to me when I saw that it did.

Churches are full of people, and people mess up.  People struggle.

I write this today, because I learned today of a college friend of mine who was let go from a church this past week.  In the past 2 months, I know of 10 ministers who have been let go or fired, or have had to move on.  While I don’t know the specific details of every situation, I know one thing – they are hurting.

Ministers are human.

Ministers have feelings.

Ministers love their churches.

Ministers give their heart and soul for the congregation.

The church family IS the minister’s family.  Your minister prays for you, and does so often.  So tonight will you do me a favor?  Pray for your minister, your pastor, your rabbi, your reverend…whatever title you give the guy that serves your congregation.  Pray for them.

It breaks my heart to hear of a minster being let go, especially in the middle of the school year.

Encourage your minister.  Lift your minister up.  Send them notes of encouragement.  Tell your elders how much you care for them.

Are they perfect?  Nope, not even close.  But, they are human.

Tonight, my prayer is for all ministers, both those who have lost their jobs, and those who will wake up to their job tomorrow morning – to be blessed.