Carlos Ruiz plays catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Many people take him for granted because the Phillies have the game’s best pitching staff. His teammates do not however. They know what an invaluable piece to the staff’s success he is.
Ruiz has a unique perspective for a catcher regarding the success of the pitchers. He tells Gary Smith in the July 18th edition of Sports Illustrated, “When I’m catching it is not two people out there – a pitcher and a catcher. It is one person. It is my fault if something goes wrong. Whatever is happening to him is happening to me. One person.”
He goes on to add, “Our starting pitchers do not need a tailor to make them look good. They make the tailor look good.”
Ruiz owns the success of his teammates and goes the extra mile to make them look good.
Pastors, how does Ruiz’s comments make you feel? Does the worship leader own the success of the message as much as you do? Does the youth pastor? How about the business administrator? How about your Board?
Church staff and Board/committee members, do you feel it is your fault if the ministry is not hitting on all cylinders? Do you feel you play a significant role in the overall success or failure of the church? Like Ruiz, have you gone out of your way to make your pastor and staff look good?
To often in ministry or business we a la carte our areas of discipline. This is a mistake. We are our brother’s keeper and we own each other’s success.
Here are a few simple things that anyone can do to help their pastor:
- Pray for them.
- Tell them the sermon was good whether is was or not. You can find 20% that is good in anything.
- Pray for them.
- Treat their wife and children with respect.
- Pray for them.
- Protect their reputations.
- Pray for them.
- Provide respectful and loving feedback when necessary.
- Pray for them.
- Give them a raise.
I don’t know about you but Ruiz’s words challenged me.  They have changed the way I’m looking at some issues and how best to provide solutions for our church. They are changing how I interact with people.
But here is the bigger question – are they changing you?Â
For additional posts on supporting pastors, click:
- 13 Things Anyone Can Do To Support Their Pastor
- Are Pastors Overpaid?
- Pastors, If You Don’t Think Your People Can Give Money Read This
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