As law enforcement professionals, we understand the demands of being on duty around the clock. The job often requires long hours away from home, and sometimes immediate responses from our residences, whether as detectives, K9 handlers, SWAT team members, or traffic reconstructionists. The phone we carry keeps us connected and potentially on duty 24 hours a day.
In such a demanding profession, encouragement is a vital driving force. But have you ever considered that your pastor(s) face similar pressures, being readily available seven days a week? My perspective extends beyond being a police officer with a pastoral heart. Three of my seven brothers serve as senior pastors in their respective churches, collectively dedicating nearly a century to their congregations. I deeply appreciate their loving devotion and the sacrifices they make.
It’s important to recognize that pastoring is a 24/7 vocation. Between sermon preparation, hospital visits, counseling sessions, staff meetings, and countless other responsibilities, there is often little rest. Despite public perception, pastors are just as susceptible to discouragement as we are in law enforcement.
I was reminded of this while reading a portion of Paul’s pastoral epistle to Timothy: “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus” (2 Timothy 1:16-18).
As you attend church this weekend, consider how you might “refresh” your pastor. “Search” him out and find ways to “help.” By doing so, may God grant you mercy!
-Jim
P.S. The photo features Jonathan Parker, a peace officer and founding pastor at Cop Church Chattanooga. He and his team are doing an exceptional job ministering to the law enforcement family. He also provided a valuable service by writing an endorsement for my new book, Justice Revealed.