Pastors, Your Church May Forget About You, but God Never Does

Do you ever feel like the people in your church overlook you, forget about you, or become so familiar with you that they take you for granted? Most pastors do. Here is the great news: God never forgets about you.

There have been many days each of us has struggled with feeling forgotten. I think most pastors may feel more taken for granted than forgotten! Pastor, remember, the longer you are in a ministry, the more seasons you face. Next month, I will have been here for 28 years. Trust me, I know about the ups and downs, the ebbs and the flows, and the various emotions you go through.

We have to trust the Lord, knowing He never forgets about us!

God never forgets us

Joseph was a great leader. The Old Testament story of him reminds us that though we may sometimes feel forgotten, God never forgets us. Even a great influential leader like Joseph needed to know God was with him.

Joseph was the favored son of Jacob. He was the focus of his father’s attention. Jacob’s favoritism was such that his other sons became jealous of Joseph and sold him into slavery.

Joseph quickly attained a leadership position within the household of an influential Egyptian political official, but it was short lived. Joseph, an ethical man, was falsely accused of sexual assault by the official’s wife. Though innocent, he was thrown into prison.

While in prison, Joseph was able to help the chief cup-bearer to Pharaoh. This official was restored to his position in Pharaoh’s court, but forgot to recommend Joseph’s release as Joseph had requested. As a result, Joseph languished in prison two more years.

Forgotten by others, but not forgotten by God.

God is always aware of your circumstances

Finally, the chief cup-bearer remembered Joseph, and Pharaoh released him from prison. With God’s guidance and blessing, Joseph was elevated by Pharaoh to have authority over all the land of Egypt.

Eventually, Joseph was used by God to bless the very family who had betrayed him into slavery to begin with. His family was saved and reunited, as God provided for all of them. Every pastor needs to grasp my friend Alex Himaya’s words regarding this subject. He says: “The life of Joseph offers proof that God doesn’t forget you. He’s always aware of your circumstances. And, like Joseph, you can choose positive action while you wait to see what God is doing in your life.”¹

God is with you always and forever

It’s easy to feel forgotten by God, especially if we are dealing with problems in our church or someone leaves the church. We also feel He may have forgotten us when we walk through emotional turmoil or depression. When abandoned by our people as a pastor, we sometimes equate that to being abandoned by God. But that isn’t true.

God is with His children always and forever. As Romans 8 reminds us, “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing, will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”²

Even ministry cannot separate you from the love of God. Therefore, be encouraged, pastor. Others may walk out of your life, but God is always with you. Your church may mistreat you, but God never does. Leaders may leave you, but our God never does.

Pastors, always remember:  He never leaves you or forsakes you. Yes, He is with you always and forever.

Yours for the Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd

¹– Bible Studies for Life, Overcome, Alex Himaya
²– Romans 8:38, 39, HCSB