08/26/2026
WHO IS TAKING CARE OF THE PASTOR?
The Importance of Caring for the Shepherd
Main Text: 1 Timothy 5:17–18 (NASB)
Supporting Texts: 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:10–18; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1–4
INTRODUCTION — WHO TAKES CARE OF THE ONE WHO TAKES CARE OF EVERYONE?
Let me begin with a simple question:
Who is taking care of the pastor?
The pastor is usually the one asking:
“Are you okay?”
“Did you eat?”
“Do you need prayer?”
“How is your family?”
“Can I help you?”
“Let me pray for you.”
But sometimes, nobody asks the pastor:
“Pastor, how are YOU?”
The shepherd spends his life caring for the sheep.
But here is an important leadership truth:
Even shepherds need shepherding.
The pastor is called to care for people, but the pastor is also a person.
He gets tired.
He gets discouraged.
He faces disappointment.
He carries burdens that people may never see.
He may preach about faith while privately fighting discouragement.
He may encourage everybody else while needing encouragement himself.
He may pray for everybody while quietly needing someone to pray for him.
THE BIG IDEA:
A healthy church does not only care for the ministry; it cares for the minister.
If we care about the health of the church, we must care about the health of its shepherds.
I. THE PASTOR IS A SHEPHERD, BUT HE IS ALSO A SHEEP
1 Peter 5:2–3
Peter instructed the elders:
“Shepherd the flock of God among you…”
— 1 Peter 5:2 NASB
Notice that the pastor is called to shepherd.
But pastors are not the Chief Shepherd.
1 Peter 5:4
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
Jesus is the Chief Shepherd.
We are under-shepherds.
That means the pastor also needs to remain under the care of the Chief Shepherd.
A. The pastor needs Jesus just as much as the congregation does.
The pastor cannot live permanently on yesterday's revelation.
He cannot survive spiritually by preaching what he no longer practices.
He cannot continually pour out without receiving from God.
Jesus said:
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28 NASB
That invitation is not only for church members.
It is also for pastors.
B. Never become so busy caring for others that you stop caring for your own soul.
A pastor can become:
busy in ministry but empty in spirit.
He can be:
successful publicly but exhausted privately.
He can be:
surrounded by people but personally lonely.
This is why pastors must intentionally protect their relationship with Christ.
Pastor, remember:
You are not merely a preacher.
You are first:
a disciple.
Before you are a shepherd of people, you are a follower of Jesus.
II. THE PASTOR CARRIES BURDENS THAT PEOPLE OFTEN DO NOT SEE
Paul understood the weight of ministry.
2 Corinthians 11:28
Paul said:
“Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.”
Notice the phrase:
“daily pressure.”
Ministry has visible responsibilities and invisible burdens.
People see:
the sermon,
the microphone,
the pulpit,
the leadership,
the decisions,
the public ministry.
But they may not see:
the late-night prayers,
the difficult counseling,
family concerns,
financial pressures,
leadership conflicts,
criticism,
disappointments,
people leaving,
unanswered prayers,
difficult decisions,
emotional exhaustion.
A pastor can carry a congregation without the congregation realizing how heavy the load has become.
That is why the church must learn to say:
“Pastor, you don't have to carry everything alone.”
III. THE PASTOR NEEDS PEOPLE WHO WILL STRENGTHEN HIM
Exodus 17:11–12
When Moses became tired, Aaron and Hur supported his hands.
This is a powerful leadership picture.
Moses was the leader.
But Moses needed support.
Leadership does not eliminate human weakness.
Aaron and Hur did not replace Moses.
They strengthened Moses so he could continue his assignment.
That is what healthy leaders do.
A. Every pastor needs an Aaron and a Hur.
Someone who says:
“Pastor, I am with you.”
Someone who says:
“Let me help you.”
Someone who says:
“Let me pray with you.”
Someone who says:
“You don't have to handle this alone.”
Someone who can speak honestly into the pastor's life.
B. Pastors need safe relationships.
Not everybody needs to know everything about the pastor.
But every pastor needs trusted people with whom he can be honest.
People who will not use his vulnerability against him.
People who will not turn his struggles into gossip.
People who can listen without immediately judging.
People who can pray without broadcasting.
KEY PRINCIPLE:
A pastor needs more than people who follow his leadership; he needs people who care for his soul.
IV. THE CHURCH HAS A BIBLICAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HONOR AND CARE FOR ITS LEADERS
1 Timothy 5:17–18
Paul wrote:
“The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”
Then Paul speaks about practical support.
This teaches us something important:
Caring for pastors is not merely a nice gesture. It is biblical responsibility.
A. Honor includes appreciation.
Pastors should not only hear:
“What did you preach?”
“Why did you decide that?”
“Can we change this?”
“Why are we not doing this?”
Sometimes they need to hear:
“Thank you.”
“We appreciate you.”
“We see your sacrifice.”
“We are praying for you.”
Simple words can strengthen a tired shepherd.
B. Honor includes practical care.
Galatians 6:6 teaches that those who receive instruction in the Word should share good things with those who teach them.
The principle is clear:
Those who are spiritually blessed through ministry should also participate in caring for those who minister.
Churches should think seriously about:
fair and sustainable compensation,
adequate rest,
family time,
ministry resources,
continuing development,
emergency needs,
vacation and sabbatical considerations,
emotional and spiritual support.
Important balance:
Caring for pastors does not mean creating a culture of entitlement.
It means creating a culture of honor, stewardship, generosity, and mutual care.
V. THE PASTOR'S FAMILY ALSO NEEDS CARE
This is often overlooked.
When a church calls a pastor, it may focus on the pastor.
But ministry affects the whole family.
The pastor's spouse may sacrifice time.
Children may share their parent with the church.
Family plans may sometimes be interrupted.
The pastor's family may hear criticism that they did not create.
Therefore:
When you care for the pastor, remember the pastor's family.
A. Don't make the pastor's family pay the price for the church's expectations.
The church needs a pastor.
But the pastor also has a family.
The pastor is not called to neglect his family in order to prove his commitment to ministry.
1 Timothy 3:5
Paul emphasizes the importance of managing one's household well.
A pastor's family is not a distraction from ministry.
Family is part of ministry.
Practical question for leaders:
Don't only ask:
“How can we help our pastor?”
Ask:
“How can we strengthen the pastor's family?”
Sometimes that may mean:
giving the family uninterrupted time,
respecting days off,
avoiding unnecessary calls during family time,
remembering birthdays and anniversaries,
praying for the spouse and children,
providing practical assistance when appropriate.
VI. PASTORS NEED REST WITHOUT GUILT
One of the greatest dangers in ministry is confusing:
busyness with faithfulness.
Jesus Himself rested.
Mark 6:31
Jesus told His disciples:
“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest for a while.”
Why?
“For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.”
Even Jesus' disciples needed rest.
Rest is not laziness.
Rest is stewardship.
Your body is part of your stewardship before God.
Your mind needs rest.
Your emotions need rest.
Your family needs your presence.
Your spirit needs renewal.
A pastor who never stops may eventually be forced to stop.
Therefore:
Rest before exhaustion becomes collapse.
Take appropriate days off.
Take vacations.
Sleep.
Eat properly.
Spend time with your family.
Enjoy life.
Laugh.
Have hobbies.
Walk.
Travel when possible.
Enjoy God's creation.
You do not have to feel guilty because you are resting.
Remember:
You are a shepherd, not the Savior.
The church belongs to Jesus.
The ministry belongs to Jesus.
The people belong to Jesus.
You can rest because Jesus is still working.
VII. PASTORS NEED ENCOURAGEMENT, NOT ONLY EVALUATION
It is easy for church leaders to become professional critics.
We see what is wrong.
We see what needs improvement.
We see what is missing.
But pastors also need people who can see what God is doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:12–13
Paul says to respect and esteem those who labor among you.
Why?
Because leadership is labor.
Imagine preaching 50 Sundays and receiving 50 evaluations.
“Too long.”
“Too short.”
“Too loud.”
“Too soft.”
“Why didn't you preach this?”
“Why did you preach that?”
But one person says:
“Pastor, that message helped me.”
Sometimes one sentence of sincere encouragement can refresh a tired shepherd.
Therefore:
Catch your pastor doing something right.
Tell him.
Don't assume he knows.
Say it.
Write it.
Pray for him.
Thank him.
Encourage him.
VIII. PASTORS ALSO NEED ACCOUNTABILITY
Caring for the pastor does not mean protecting the pastor from correction.
True care includes accountability.
Proverbs 27:6
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend…”
A healthy pastor needs people who love him enough to say:
“Pastor, I think you need to reconsider this.”
“Pastor, I think you are becoming too tired.”
“Pastor, I think your family needs more of you.”
“Pastor, I think this attitude needs attention.”
“Pastor, let's pray about this.”
That is not disrespect.
That is love.
The dangerous pastor is not the pastor who has weaknesses.
The dangerous pastor is the pastor who has no one who can challenge him.
Every leader needs accountability.
Every leader needs correction.
Every leader needs people who can say:
“You are not above God's Word.”
IX. HEALTHY CHURCHES CREATE A CULTURE OF MUTUAL CARE
The answer to:
“Who is taking care of the pastor?”
should not always be:
“Someone else.”
We need a culture where:
Pastors care for people.
People care for pastors.
Leaders care for leaders.
Leaders care for their families.
The church cares for the whole body.
Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
Notice:
one another.
The church is not supposed to be a one-way relationship.
The pastor gives.
The church gives.
The pastor encourages.
The church encourages.
The pastor prays.
The church prays.
The pastor carries burdens.
The church helps carry the pastor's burdens.
That is biblical community.
THREE THINGS EVERY CHURCH SHOULD DO FOR ITS PASTOR
1. PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR
Not just:
“Bless our pastor.”
Pray specifically.
Pray for:
wisdom,
spiritual strength,
physical strength,
marriage,
children,
decisions,
protection,
integrity,
emotional health,
fresh vision,
endurance.
2. HONOR YOUR PASTOR
Respect the office.
Appreciate the sacrifice.
Speak well.
Avoid gossip.
Give constructive correction privately and respectfully.
Don't make leadership unnecessarily heavy.
3. HELP YOUR PASTOR
Ask:
“What can I carry so the pastor doesn't have to carry it?”
Don't wait until the pastor asks.
See a need.
Meet a need.
Take initiative.
That's partnership.
A SPECIAL WORD TO PASTORS
Pastor, this message is not only for your church.
It is also for you.
Sometimes we pastors are very good at caring for everyone else but very poor at receiving care.
We say:
“I'm okay.”
Even when we're not.
We say:
“God is good.”
And He is.
But acknowledging that you are tired does not mean you lack faith.
Saying that you need help does not mean you are weak.
Asking someone to pray for you does not mean you are failing.
Jesus Himself allowed others to minister to Him.
In Mark 14:3–9, a woman poured costly perfume on Jesus.
Jesus received an act of love.
He allowed someone to minister to Him.
Pastor:
You don't have to be strong every minute.
You don't have to solve every problem.
You don't have to answer every message immediately.
You don't have to carry every burden.
You don't have to be available 24/7.
You are a servant of God.
But you are also human.
Let people love you.
Let people help you.
Let people pray for you.
Let people encourage you.
CONCLUSION — TAKE CARE OF THE SHEPHERD
Let us return to our opening question:
WHO IS TAKING CARE OF THE PASTOR?
The answer should be:
Jesus is taking care of the pastor.
But Jesus often cares for His servants through His people.
Therefore, pastors need:
people who pray,
people who encourage,
people who honor,
people who help,
people who challenge,
people who protect,
people who care.
And pastors must also learn to care for themselves wisely under the care of Christ.
FINAL THOUGHT:
“If we want healthy churches, we need healthy shepherds. And if we want healthy shepherds, we must build a culture where shepherds are also shepherded.”
The pastor is not a machine.
The pastor is not merely a preacher.
The pastor is not merely a leader.
The pastor is a servant of Christ who also needs grace, rest, friendship, encouragement, accountability, and care.
CLOSING CHALLENGE FOR PASTORS AND LEADERS
This week, ask yourself:
1. WHO CARES FOR MY SOUL?
Do I have someone I can be completely honest with?
2. WHO CAN CORRECT ME?
Do I have trusted people who can lovingly challenge me?
3. WHO CAN I ASK FOR HELP?
Have I built a team—or am I carrying everything alone?
4. AM I CARING FOR MY FAMILY?
Is my ministry strengthening or slowly exhausting my family?
5. AM I ALLOWING GOD'S PEOPLE TO CARE FOR ME?
Am I willing to receive, not only give?
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank You for calling us to shepherd Your people.
We recognize today that we are shepherds, but You are the Chief Shepherd.
Help us never to become so busy caring for others that we neglect our own souls.
Give pastors strength when they are tired.
Give them courage when they are discouraged.
Give them wisdom when they are making difficult decisions.
Give them friends who will pray with them, encourage them, correct them, and stand beside them.
Protect their marriages.
Protect their families.
Protect their hearts.
Protect their integrity.
And teach Your church to honor, appreciate, support, and care for those who faithfully serve.
Lord, make us churches where nobody carries a burden alone—including the pastor.
And when the shepherd becomes tired, remind us that the Chief Shepherd is still watching over His shepherds.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
