I thank God for you because of His grace given you in christ Jesus.  1 Cor. 1:4

You want to thank you pastor but don’t know how to express the words; here is  gift idea.  

Dear Pastor, 7 x 9 Framed Gift    7″ x 9″ framed inspirational gift features an embossed decorative frame with a leaf border complete with books, pocketwatch, and trunk accenting the sentiment.

 

Show hospitality to one another.  i Peter 4:9

Pastors and their family are called upon daily, no matter day or night. They listen to others struggles and are asked to pray or encourage all who pass through their lives.

Just like you and me they need a break. I have some friends who own a home in a resort area. The resort rents outs the home, but when the couple want to get away the call and ask it be removed from rental and they go there for a few days. Often they take it off rent and give use of the home to their pastor. This offers a chance for them to give from their treasure and allows the pastor and his family a chance to get away and spent quality family time.

You may not have a resort home but perhaps you have a treasure you can share with your pastor to show your love and offer encouragement.

Pray for one another.   James 5:16

Prayer, it seems such a simple thing to do; so why don’t we do it more often.  The Bible tells us “you have not because you ask not”.  Every day this month say a prayer for your pastor. Lift him in prayer to God asking that he be blessed and keep in right standing with Christ focusing and meditating on His Word, being humble in prayer. Pray he flee temptation and remain true to God’s Word.  Pray for protection from the enemy’s attack.

Perhaps you can write a prayer and post it on your computer or the mirror as a constant reminder to pray.  Send you pastor a hand-writeen note telling him you are praying for him and thank him for his perseverence and continued instruction.

Little things are indeed little, but to be faithful in little things is a great thing.  Mother Theresa

As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home.  Luke 10:38

When Jesus arrived in their village Martha invited Him into her home and offered a place where he could rest, speak with others and have a meal.  Why not invite your pastor into your home today and share a meal, show your appreciation for the hard word in daily serving God.

Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.  2Tim 2:2

It is our responsibility as followers of Christ to take the Word we have learned from our leaders and pass that Word on to others. Ministry doesn’t stop at the altar; it is spreads through our own hands and lives.

Thank your pastor for teaching you God’s Word and enabling you to pass that Word along to others.

Encourage your pastor today by sending a card of thanks including a note of how he/she has encouraged you.

Minister one to another.  1 Peter 4:10

I overheard a couple of people talking one day, complaining about all the things their pastor didn’t do. “We pay him afterall, he should be available 24/7 to each and every one of us” one woman commented. 

Later that day I was reading a daily devotional when the words “one another” caught my attention.  I found a number of verses telling the church body to do “unto one another”.  I didn’t find anything that said “the pastor will do all for all the body”.   So as a reminder that we as the church body have a responsibility as well, here is a list of “One Anothers” found in the New Testament.  While you read through the list remember, the pastor is a “one another” who could use our hospitality, kindness and prayers.

Pray for one another  (James 5:16)

Care for one another   (1 Cor 12:25)

Encourage one another  (Hebrews 10:25)

Build one another up  (Rom 15:2;  1 Thes 5:11)

Forgive one another   (Col 3:13)

Show hospitality to one another    (1 Peter 4:9)

Serve one another in love.   Galatians 5:13

When a play opens on Broadway, the actors wait anxiously for the morning news so they can read the reviews by the critics. Stand outside any church as the congregation is leaving on a Sunday monrning and listen to the reviews of the people.

So often people stand around compolaining about the music, the sermon, the others in the congregation.  In order to create this critique I believe the person had do be watching all with a critical eye instead of listening with an open heart.

I recently read the following story in an old “Today’s Christian”.

 Presbyterian minister Fred Rogers, creator and host of television’s “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” recently gave an address describing the time he was a student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and attended a different church each Sunday in order to hear a variety of preachers.

One Sunday he was treated to “the most poorly crafted sermon (he) had ever heard.” But when he turned to the friend who had accompanied him, he found her in tears.

“It was exactly what I needed to hear,” she told Rogers.

“That’s when I realized,” he told his audience, “that the space between someone doing the best he or she can and someone in need is holy ground. The Holy Spirit had transformed that feeble sermon for her—and as it turned out, for me too.”

Next time you find the sermon “wasn’t for me” perhaps you might listen again to the sermon with your heart. Give up being a Sunday Morning Critic for the month of October and let God speak to your heart. 

Appreciate your pastoral leaders  who gave you the Word of God…  Heb 13:7 MSG

October is known as “Pastor Appreciation Month”.  Our spiritual leaders have the difficult task of managing their own lives and families as well as leading those placed in their spiritual care. Their lives are held up to constant scrutiny by all who follow and by those who don’t follow. Every step they take is up for pucblic review.

Take a moment each day this month to pray for your pastors and their staff. Add it to your daily planner as a reminder. Don’t have a church and a pastor? Pray the Lord will lead you to the Bible teaching church He has prepared for you. 

To my pastors: I thank the Lord for leading each of you into the positions you now hold. I know you have a very difficult task but that “with God all things are possible”. The Lord has used each of you to touch my life and lead my walk with God and I appreciate that you have chosen to follow Him.  May God richly bless each of you and your families for your service to Him.