Ministry workers are people too

   Some people seem to put missionaries, pastors, and evangelists up on a pedestal, as if they have attained some greater perfection or holiness that the lay believers can only one day hope to reach.
   Some people seem to judge them more than the average pew-warmer.  It seems to go hand in hand with the first one. When someone speaks for a living, unable to edit their words as one does in an email or blog post, they--being human, and one at war with selfishness--is bound to put their foot in their mouth sooner or later.  The more one has the floor, the more one will say something one regrets.  Ministry workers are no exception.
   Some people seem to think ministry workers, if not too holy to communicate with or too wrong to be seen around, can be seen as wasting their life on other people's hard-earned dollars.  There are many things to say to this, but instead of a lengthy discussion, I'd like to instead point to Jesus, who left his trade of wood working to become an itinerant preacher, relying on other's hospitality and giving (when He wasn't multiplying food).  A ministry worker's livelihood comes from God's provision, and we all have the opportunity to distribute what God has given us to take back souls and areas claimed by darkness and deception for God's Kingdom.

What's the point of all these things I mention?

My point is this:
1.) Living by faith is often difficult
2.) Living by faith is often lonely

So please, email gratitude to an evangelist, buy your pastor dinner or take him out to coffee, and email gratitude or Skype call encouragement to a missionary that you know.  You might make their whole week (especially the missionary!).