My husband has a very specific painting hanging on the wall across from his desk so that he sees it every day. Created around 1616 by Pieter Brueghel the Younger, “The Bad Shepherd” depicts a shepherd neglecting his flock as the sheep wander and are hunted down by wolves. It’s a haunting scene and one quite contrary to Jesus’ description of Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10.
The painting serves as a weighty reminder of the command Paul gives overseers in Acts 20:28…
“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.”
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has rescued, redeemed, reconciled, and restored lost sheep with His own blood. In this great exchange of our sinfulness for His righteousness, those dirty, wandering sheep become Christ’s pure and spotless Bride.
In His sovereign will, God made us the Church through Jesus. And in His providential grace, He gives us pastors to image Him in shepherding us.
Scripture says that pastor-shepherds are to be “examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3) and that they are to “keep watch over our souls as those who will give an account” (Hebrew 13:17). The pastorate is a beautiful calling, but it is also an incredibly weighty one! And like the shepherd depicted in Brueghel’s painting, it can be tempting to give up, to give out, or to give way.
A 2025 study by Lifeway showed that while only 1.2% of pastors leave the pastorate each year, 57% describe their role as frequently overwhelming, 47% say ministry demands regularly exceed what they can realistically handle, and 34 % describe feeling isolated in their position.
Pastor Appreciation Month serves as an opportunity to “regard them very highly in love” (1 Thessalonians 5:13). As we do, it is helpful to remember that these shepherds are also sheep. They, too, get hungry, tired, and prone to wander. They need the Ultimate Shepherd. And they also need the encouragement of the sheep.
In my 20+ years of being married to a pastor, I’ve learned that there are a few truths that are helpful for our shepherds to hear…
1. Pastor, you are not sufficient, but He is.
Their role is unique. Their plates are full. Their hearts are heavy. Between responding to needs, carrying burdens, teaching the Word, and equipping the saints, even on their best days it can all seem like too much. Too much to carry. Too much to navigate. Too much to live up to. As Paul asked in 2 Corinthians 2:16 asks, “Who is sufficient for these things?”
Thankfully, he also gives an answer…
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant…”
(2 Corinthians 3:5,6)
Pastor, His grace is sufficient. Not just for your congregants. It is sufficient for you, too, and is perfected in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). You cannot do all things well, but He will (Mark 7:37). You do not hold all things together, but He does (Colossians 1:17). Root your confidence in Him.
2. Pastor, you may feel alone, but He is with you.
I recently read that while most people will lose up to 5-7 significant relationships over a lifetime, pastors can lose up to 5-7 significant relationships each year. Add that to the feeling of isolation that day to day ministry can bring and many pastors may experience a nagging sense of loneliness.
Paul experienced this, too…
“At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that I might fully preach the word and all the Gentiles might hear it.”
(2 Timothy 4:16,17)
Pastor, you are not alone. Your Great High Priest, who sympathizes with your weakness and shares in your suffering, stands with you and strengthens you. Your Good Shepherd goes before you, walks beside you, and hems you in from behind. He loves you and holds you fast. Not because of what you do, but because you are His.
3. Pastor, you carry a heavy load, but we want to help carry you.
Hebrews 13:7 accentuates the gravity of the ministerial role, highlighting that church leaders will stand accountable to God for the spiritual oversight of their congregations. What a tremendously heavy weight!
Yet this verse continues on to exhort the people of God to give these shepherds reason to lead, work, and serve “with joy and not with grief.” Oh, that it would be said of us as Paul says of Philemon…
“Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.”
(Philemon 1:7)
Like Philemon may we be a refreshment to our pastors’ hearts. Like Aaron and Hur (Exodus 17:12) may we hold up their arms for battle. And like the great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) may we cheer them on as they run the race.
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory…
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
(1 Peter 5:1–4, 10,11)
Dear shepherd, stay the course. You matter. We need you. God loves you. And glory awaits.
Written by Megan Johnson, director of THRIVE Pastors’ Wives Network. Find more resources for pastors and their spouses on Inspire Charis Pastors Network website here.