1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NKJV – 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
In honor of “Pastor’s Appreciation Month”, I want to dedicate this blog post to the amazing pastor’s that I know. My friends who are also family. Pastor’s who I have been blessed to serve under or have done ministry with. Pastor’s who have inspired me and have set the example. And to the pastors who I have never met personally but their books, sermons and videos have blessed me. Being a first-generation pastor and minister, I have always yearned for a mentor in ministry. Being first-generation I have had to do a lot of plowing and pioneering in my ministry. Thankfully over the years I have always had the Holy Spirit to rely on who has always been there to help me on my journey too. And thankfully God has put anointed men and women in my life who have spoken into my life, have held me accountable, and have given me sound wisdom in ministry. I am grateful for spiritual fathers and mothers, I am grateful for pastors, and I am grateful for God!
One of my ministry gifts is that of a pastor. I have served in pastoral roles in churches in the past but currently I do not pastor a church. But sometimes people will ask me, “how can you be a pastor if you do not pastor a church?” My answer to that question is simple: “I do not pastor a congregation, I pastor people.” Being a pastor is not limited to just preaching behind a pulpit. Being a pastor is more than just a title or a church position. It is a calling and a ministry gift from God. Even though I do not pastor a church I am still a pastor to my family, a pastor to my co-workers, a pastor to my friends. A pastor to inmates when doing prison ministry, a pastor when on a mission’s trip, a pastor to youth in youth ministry. I am a pastor to people I randomly meet in public who feel the need to share with me their life story. A pastor does not stop being a pastor when they are not at church. Same goes with all ministry gifts. For Evangelists, evangelizing is something you are to do always, not just once a year at a camp meeting. For missionaries, everywhere they go is the mission field, everywhere. Teachers do not always have to have a classroom to teach, every day is a learning opportunity. Apostles do not always need a board room or building to govern and oversee. Prophets do not need a microphone to prophesy, God gave you a voice, use it. Remember a church is not a building, we are all called to be the church.
Armor Bearers – Serving alongside your Pastor:
When we serve under a pastor we should support and encourage our pastor’s. The same care that pastor’s show us we too should show them. I like to use the example of an “armor bearer” when it comes to supporting people in leadership. An armor bearer is defined as someone who carried the weapons and armor of a warrior. When I say armor bearer, I am not saying that we should be carrying our pastor’s bible (sword) for them ha-ha, but I do know people who do help carry their pastors’ bibles and ministry supplies and that is ok. But spiritually speaking, an armor bearer is someone who provides encouragement and strength. Someone who is standing by and battle ready. Someone who is willing to defend and fight. Someone who is vigilant and on guard. Someone who prays and intercedes.
Pastor’s do a lot of work behind the scenes that sometimes goes unseen, well unseen by people but God always see their hard work. Sacrificing family and their time to be available when needed to the congregation. I have been blessed to know pastor’s who are true servants of God. Pastors who are humble and not puffed up. Pastors who do repairs and clean the church. Pastors who love to lend a helping hand. Pastors who give wise counsel and preach sound doctrine. Pastors who fervently pray. Pastors who speak the truth and walk in love. Encouragers and exhorters. Pastors are not perfect, and it is never, ever good for the congregation to put a pastor on a pedestal because you are setting them up to fail when you puff them up.
Jesus is our greatest example of true leadership:
John 10:11NKJV – 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” Pastors have a purpose in the body of Christ, and we do need pastors in our life. But we should never forget that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We always have Jesus as the example of how a shepherd should be. Again, pastors are not perfect, but we should still try to model Jesus in any area of leadership roles we lead in. Jesus loves, cares, and protects His sheep. We too should love people and treat them the same as Jesus loves and treats us. The month of October may be “Pastor’s appreciation month”, but daily we should always celebrate Jesus! We should always, every day, give God our thanks. God deserves all the glory and praise.
John 10:27-30 NKJV – 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
The strength of a shepherd is found in Jesus first! Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The strength of a shepherd is also found in their flock (their family and their congregation), because a shepherd cannot do everything on their own. To pastor’s who continue to serve as God leads, we love and appreciate you!
