APPRECIATING PASTORS PT. 1 - GRATITUDE FOR FAITHFUL UNDERSHEPHERDS

Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher. 
Galatians 6:6

October brings with it many things, cooler temperatures, Fall colors, the outbreaking of jackets, sweaters and flannel shirts. I love this time of year, if I could craft the weather of heaven I would suggest Fall be the eternal season.

With this time of year comes a month in which, those who make up the group that determine what we celebrate in any given month, suggest we express our appreciation for our Pastors. 

Truthfully, this is a month most pastors kind of dread. Most don’t fully receive words or actions that make them feel appreciated.

On the main, the Pastors in your church don’t do what they do for applause or adulation. 

Truthfully, consider their work. The teaching and preaching of God’s word, the work of discipling, caring, challenging and exhorting you to Christlikeness. 

This means some of what they will say to you and the entire congregation will be corrective or confrontive. Paul declares this in Colossians 1:28-29.  The word warning conveys the idea of exerting pressure on someone’s mind through reasonable and logical appeals. 

Faithful Pastors proclaim Jesus, warn and teach from God’s word.

I appreciate a good warning now and then. My guess is that you do as well, yet there are some warnings which are hard to welcome or receive with joy and thankfulness. 

• Congregation-your lack of regular attendance at worship gatherings not only stunts your spiritual growth-your absence also impacts the larger body in our church.
• Christian-your causal commitment to Christ makes it appear that Christianity is just an additive to life, not the center of a life that honors God and brings blessing.
• Church Member-your passionate political activism (for whatever party) should not outshine your advocacy for biblical mercy, truth, justice and righteous living which honors God and brings true blessing.
• Follower of Jesus-your gossip, controlling and divisive behaviors inside the church are not only destroying the body but our Church’s witness in a world that is full of self-centered critical folks. You demonstrate by your actions a lack of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Few have likely ever said to their Pastor, after he shared a message like or similar to the ones above great personal appreciation.

Does your Pastor preach the entire counsel of God’s word? Does he challenge you to say no to sin and examine your life before God and his Word, aided by the Spirit?  

If he does then it’s time to say thanks.  

Sharing all good things doesn’t just mean a note and gift card to a chain restaurant, a plate of cookies or a gift card to his favorite bookstore. Sharing all good things includes expressing thanks for sermons that challenge, leadership that seeks your maturity and mobilization of teh church for Gospel advance.

Are your Pastors faithfully leading you and your church toward Christian maturity and missional advance?  

Then express your sincere gratitude, be descriptive, tell them how thankful you are that they speak the truth in love and lead well.  

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