Who cares for your pastor? Surely, most people do. Possibly, though, only a few may care in ways that benefit the pastorÕs life and ministry beyond ÒcontractualÓ agreements. To care for your pastor beyond minimal expectations is to include him or her in JesusÕ command to his disciples Ñ ÒTo love one another as I have loved you.Ó (John 13:34) Too often, churches believe they are caring for their pastor just by paying a salary, providing housing and giving other material benefits. Not that they donÕt care more than this, but they may presume that the annual conference through the bishop and district superintendent cares sufficiently for the personal and professional needs of the clergy. And to a considerable extent, they do. However, to love your pastor Ñ and family if he or she has one Ñ as God has loved us is to love in tangible ways that exceed
nominal requirements.