Nothing encourages, strengthens, and uplifts like the Word of God. Use it at all times to speak life, not only into your family and friends, but into your pastor and leadership team as well. Understanding their calling and helping them to stay accountable to it is an honorable ministry. Even if words of encouragement do not come easy to you, still make it a practice to edify your leadership team and remind them of the incredible honor of their calling. Here are the top leadership Bible verses – perfect to use for Pastor Appreciation Month.
Top Leadership Bible Verses For Pastor Appreciation Month
Looking to encourage your Pastor this year? Check out these top Bible Verses! Click To TweetLast Updated: August 2021
Jeremiah 33:33
“Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Sometimes we can let ego get in the way of what God wants us to do. Remember to stay humble and curious; God wants to show you incredible things that you can’t even fathom. Let Him reveal His plan to you and know that you will never have all the answers. Only by the grace and strength of God can we move through this life and help others along the way.
Joshua 1:9
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Leadership is scary. Taking responsibility to faithfully represent God and His light, as well as taking care of your congregation is a big deal. The enemy will accuse us and remind us of our insignificance. Our courage may disappear. It is then when we lift our heads to our Redeemer, Who commands us to not be afraid!
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
Ouch, this is a lesson better learned early on, than experienced the hard way. Jesus taught us the order of leadership. A leader is in fact a servant, not a king, not a dictator and definitely not the boss of the congregation. A great way to stay faithful in your ministry is to keep a servant’s heart and attitude at all times.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Leadership is all about making big decisions, while leading others. That’s downright terrifying when you think of the impact of any decision. Don’t journey alone. Make your desire and intent known to the Lord and let Him direct your path.
Galatians 6:9
” And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
In this day it’s more acceptable to be relevant than to speak the Truth. Your calling as a pastor is to do the latter in love! Ministry can get so focused on trying to win converts and please people that truth is often sacrificed. Remain steadfast in the truth and God’s blessing will be upon you!
Zechariah 4:6
“Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
Don’t lead or minister from your own strength. You may be a great speaker, a charismatic leader, or a talented musician but you will quickly grow tired when doing things in your own strength. The congregation is intelligent enough to pick up on this and ministry-burnout is sure to follow.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thought, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God has the ultimate perspective and plan. We can trust Him to lead us in the right direction! You should never lead without God’s guidance. We will never be smarter than he is. God is the ultimate problem solver! Lean on Him when you are seeking wisdom and answers to the things that seem hard or impossible.
Ephesians 4:26
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,”
What? Pastors get angry? Yes they do! Like the rest of us, they experience anger, too. Whether it’s a righteous anger or misguided anger, it’s OK! As long as you don’t sin and as long as you understand that today is the day to be right with God and your fellow believers. Not letting the sun go down on anger is not letting Satan wreak havoc in your heart and mind. If you slip up, make it right. Make right today!
James 1:5-6
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
A leader without wisdom has no objectivity nor perspective. They lead blindly. Don’t collect wisdom from the world, when you get to partake in the wisdom of the Creator of the world. Just ask! It’s that simple. God desires to share insight with you.
Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Pastors often get sidetracked with building projects, winning converts, writing best-sellers and making a name for their ministry. They turn into life-coaches instead of shepherds and servants. When we take our eyes off Jesus, we lose focus and will replace Him with something else. Nothing should ever take the place of the mandate by which we were first called. To spread the Gospel. To feed the hungry. To clothe the poor.
1 Corinthians 10:12
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Pastors are not above reproach, neither should they be without accountability. Ministry is one of the most dangerous professions on earth. Your very work is in opposition to everything Satan stands for. He would love nothing more than to ruin and destroy you, your testimony and faith. Let pride therefore never take shape in our hearts. Let humbleness and transparency lead the way.
Matthew 6:3
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”
This verse speaks of alms-giving. Deeds of mercy. Yet it’s application is so much bigger. When you teach, teach from love, with compassion, for the sake of the Gospel, not to enlarge your following because of your charismatic energy. When you lead worship, lead in reverence and adoration towards God, not to receive an applause for your musicianship. Do nothing for a reward. Your reward is in Heaven!
Hebrews 13:17
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
This scripture is a reminder to the church that God puts people in leadership roles for a reason. God has a much bigger plan than we can ever imagine. God moves people in places to serve His need and no one else’s. Leaders, when you answer the call to leadership, you are taking on a responsibility as the Shepherd of the flock, God’s flock. You will be held accountable for your actions whether they are good or bad. But don’t misunderstand, God has chosen you because He wants you to serve a specific purpose in His overall plan.
Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
When the Word dwells in our hearts, we have no other reaction than to sing, to be thankful, to be joyful. That’s what the Word of God does for those who truly allow it to dwell within them richly as if nothing else in this world matters. Share it! Most importantly, teach others to experience the same joy that you have in letting scripture dwell in your heart.
John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””
It all starts with love. Without love, we have nothing. This scripture states that others should know that you are His disciple by the way you love others. This is a simple yet difficult passage to follow because the world around us continues to try to divide us. There is no love in when there is division, there is no love in fear, but perfect love casts out all fear. This is the love that we need to strive to emulate, a love so great, a love that can only come from a perfect God.
Enjoy this post? You might also be interested in the following lists of verses:
- 20 Thought-Provoking Verses about Worship
- 20 Verses about Tithing and Generosity
- 50 Bible Verses about Leadership
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