Begin with you minister, whom I have called to preach my word. So often the minister’s energy is depleted from weariness with the battle. Envision your minister being filled with my presence and being moved by the Spirit. Listen to my word through this special servant.

Love me in this human form. Do not misunderstand. I am in all your fellow Christians, but I have chosen certain men and women to lead my church, and their effectiveness depends upon the loving trust of members of my body.

Get close enough so that you can touch your minister with compassion and caring, but do not be misguided by the illusion that you must be a rescuer. Neither should you seek a privileged relationship. Just be available. If you are the one I have chosen to listen to your minster’s deepest concerns, I will make both of you aware of this.

– Ben Johnson, I Stand at the Door, CTS Press, 1986, 19-20.

12   As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  ¹³ Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.  ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Colossians 3:12-17

How can we care for one another as part of the Body of Christ, in such a way that it strengthens our ability to do the work to which God has called us?  How can we care for our pastor? How can we care for one another?  What do these words from Colossians have to teach us or call us to today.

Holy Lord,
Help to strengthen the relationships
in your body Lord,
so that they are bound by loving trust.
I pray for my pastor,
asking for provision and encouragement,
for guidance and support
for this one you have called to serve my church family.
Help me and us all work together
to build up the body of Christ in love.
Amen