Caring for Those Who Lead

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Caring for Those Who Lead

by Kristen West

If churches awarded frequent flyer miles for every time folks were in attendance, I can assure you I’d have unlimited free air travel for the rest of my natural days (and I love to fly)!

I have spent my life in church. As a result, I’ve learned a few foundational things:

People are messy – even in church.

Life is hard – including in church.

Care is a key – especially in church.

But here’s a particularly disturbing thing I’ve noticed over the years. The higher up in leadership someone seems to be, the less likely they are to receive the attentive care they need from those around them.

It’s actually a principle that seems to penetrate all sectors of life. People who hold leadership positions (pastors, principals, CEO’s, supervisors, etc.) seem to juggle some of life’s heaviest loads while receiving the least amount of personal care within their professional circles.

The old saying, “It’s lonely at the top” seems to apply.

Most of us assume those in supervisory positions are good. They were qualified, mature, and strong enough to get that position of leadership in the first place, right? Why would they need any additional encouragement, support, or care from the rest of us?

Because they’re just people.

Truth be told, they actually need more care than most. They travel a road that tends to be very lonely, dotted with much criticism and little praise. They help shoulder the weight of other’s struggles and hardships all while trying to juggle their own.

In churches, for example, it’s expected that pastors should be pouring out their hearts, souls, and lives into their congregations and their communities. That’s what they’re “called” to do, isn’t it? Yet, as people – flesh and blood people – they have burdens, problems, troubles, and worries just like the rest of us.

How can we help? How can we demonstrate care to them?

Pray for them. Better yet, text or email your prayer and send it to them. I can’t think of anything more personal and caring than to let someone know you’ve taken the time to pray for them. Feel free to ask them how you can specifically

be praying for them in the future (that tends to make pastors happier than a 4-year old on Christmas morning).

Thank them. In a world where genuine thankfulness is a rare commodity, just reaching out to thank your pastor, supervisor, coach, or leader means more than most people realize. It’s free, yet worth so much. So often, we underestimate the value of thankfulness and bypass opportunities to let those around us know we “see” them and appreciate all that they do. (Bonus points here – the more specific you can be in your thankfulness and appreciation, the more personal and meaningful it is).

Those two ideas are just the tip of the iceberg! My hope is that this helps all of us become more aware of those “over” us who seem to care for us so naturally. Maybe we can extend that same grace and care back to them.

“Carry one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

About The Author Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.