In the month of October many churches will honor and celebrate their pastor. As a pastor I always had mixed emotions about Pastor Appreciation Sunday. First, I never wanted the focus to be on me but on Christ. My constant prayer was that I would become less and He would become greater in my life. Second, handling public praise was difficult because I knew where the anointing originated. Finally, and this is being very honest, you could not help but notice the number of cards or well wishes did not equal the number of people you served. This lack of recognition could create some hurt, again being honest. On those occasions I would have to remind myself who I was truly serving and recognize not everyone in a church will see me as their pastor. Those that are not in covenant relationship will receive the gift of a good sermon, an encouraging word, help during difficult times, and other ministry as needed. However, those that are in covenant relationship will receive the blessing. Blessings last a lifetime and have kingdom impact.
Today, there are many pastors that wonder about their calling, are carrying heavy burdens, their finances are tight, their marriages are struggling, and their children show signs of falling away. These men and women of God are shown little appreciation and feel all alone at times. Pastor you are not alone. There are men and women who pray for you that you will never meet. As they drive by your church they pray blessings and pray against the curses of the enemy. In our own community, the Triad, pastors gather together to pray for other pastors. We may be working in different rows but it is in the same field, working for the same LORD. We are not competing one against another because our only competition is Satan for souls. We are co-laboroers working for the kingdom. Your success is not determined by the size of your ministry but by your faithfulness to the things to which you have been called. The Father so loves you!
To those pastors that I have sat under, thank you. To all the priests who served their parishes with love and faithfulness, thank you because you placed the desire to serve in a young boy's heart. Rev. Kearse you taught me to love the Word of God not knowing that one day I would serve as a pastor. Pastor Marvin, you modelled how to love the least of these and how to have a pastor's heart for the community. You also gave me the first opportunity to preach for which I will be forever grateful. Pastor Bobby, you blessed me more than you can imagine by your love and adopting me as a spiritual son. Bishop Tommy, thank you for being my pastor and friend and praying for me during turbulent times.
To the pastor who I have not met, you are loved and our prayers are with you. Your service and sacrifice is appreciated by those that you serve and most of all by your Father in heaven. Thank you for being there when it was your day off or it meant missing yet another family outing. Thank you for sharing your life with those that Jesus has placed in your life. Thank you for praying in the middle of the night for one of your flock. Thank you for modelling Jesus before the congregation. Thank you for loving the hurting and broken. Thank you for loving the sheep, even when they bite.
I keep this quote by Matthew Simpson in the front of my Bible, "His throne is the pulpit; he stands in Christ stead; his messge is the word of God; around him immortal souls; the Savior, unseen beside him; angels Gaze upon the scene, and heaven and hell await the Issue. What associations, and what vast Responsibility." Pastor great is your reward!
You are loved and if you ever need prayer please contact me and I will pray with you and for you. May His face shine upon you as you serve Him.
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