Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #5

Pastor Appreciation Month: Day #5

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Take time today to express to your pastor how much he means to you.

Your Relationship with Your Pastor (Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24)

Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” 17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” 24 “Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.”

The pastor of a church is in a precarious position; he can't please everyone! It is not going to happen.

• If he is young, he lacks experience; if his hair is grey, he's too old for the young people.
• If he has five or six children, he has too many; if he has no children, he's setting a bad example.
• If he preaches from his notes, he has canned sermons and is too dry; if he doesn't use notes, he has not studied and is not deep.
• If he uses too many illustrations, he neglects the Bible; if he doesn't use enough illustrations, he isn't clear.
• If he condemns wrong, he is cranky; if he doesn't preach against sin, he's a compromiser.
• If he fails to please somebody, he's hurting the church; if he tries to please everyone, he is a fool.
• If he preaches about money, he's a money grabber; if he doesn't preach on tithing and giving to the Lord, he is failing to develop the people.
• If he drives an old car, he shames his congregation; if he drives a new car, he is setting his affection on earthly things.
• If he preaches all the time, the people get tired of hearing one man; if he invites guest speakers, he is shirking his responsibility.
• If he preaches the Truth, he is offensive. If not, he is a hypocrite.
• If he preaches an hour, he is windy. If he preaches less, he is lazy.
• If his wife sings in the choir, she is being forward. If not, she is not interested in her husband's work.

As you can see from this list, pastors and their families need a lot of prayer and encouragement. Hebrews 13 closes with the issue of caring for the pastor and having a good relationship with him. A considerable burden is placed upon those in leadership to be the example to those required to so follow.

“Remember them” What clearly is implied is that the pastor of a church holds a position of authority in the church. The word “remember” means we should be “mindful, hold in our memory, and make mention” those who God has placed in authority. The idea is continuous remembrance. Leaders are never to be forgotten. If a person has been faithful in proclaiming and teaching God's Word, we are to remember them and never forget them. In essence, we should pray for the leaders of the Church.

“Whose faith follow” Paul was admonishing the Hebrew Christians to follow those leaders who lived and died by faith. Simply, he was telling us to follow those leaders who have demonstrated faith in their lives and have had success by being faithful. A leader who faithfully proclaims God's Word is a leader to follow. Literally, we should imitate those who have lived what they have preached and who have experienced what God promised to those who are consistent in their faith.

“Considering the end of their conversation” The idea is that we ought to focus upon the end of life, especially in regard to those in spiritual leadership. Paul tells us why we should follow the leaders. The word “considering” here is referring more to the consistency of the rulers. The purpose of consideration is that we understand what made our leaders successful.

A person who handles the Word of God with skill and in the power of the Holy Spirit is serving in the highest and noblest profession on earth. You should consider the issue of their lives, how that they kept on believing the doctrine of Jesus Christ (the doctrine concerning His person and work) until they died, and then you should follow (imitate) their faith and keep on believing the doctrine of Jesus Christ, for this doctrine is eternal and changeless. It was true when your leaders taught it to you, it is yet true today, and it will always be true. Before you follow someone, consider the end of their conversation. Has the person you’re following been successful in God’s eyes? If the man of God loves the Lord and lives for the Lord, then he is a man worth following after.

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