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Happy October, Greene County Baptists! Did you know this month is recognized as Pastor Appreciation Month? Oh, how I hope that you show appreciation to your pastor. Yes, I know your pastor has faults (he is human after-all) but he is God’s minister to you. If you have a pastor who loves God, loves people and preaches the Bible faithfully, your church is blessed.
Occasionally, someone will ask me the question, “As you travel around our association, what do you see that makes you optimistic?” Without fail, my answer to that question is, “Our pastors!” We are blessed in GCBA to have wonderful men of God shepherding our churches. I would put our group of pastors up against any in the country.
At the time I write this article, GCBA has twelve churches without a lead pastor. This represents nearly one out of every seven churches in our association. The trend of pastorless churches is not unique to GCBA but is seen throughout our state and nation. Many churches report a lack of quality candidates for their open pastor positions. This is why programs like the 417 Ministry Residency are so very important. We must raise up new leaders!
As we consider pastorless churches, may I share an observation I have made? Often times we do not realize how much our pastor actually does for the church until he is gone. It is not until tasks in the church go unfinished, secondary doctrines become divisive, and strong personalities vie for power, that we exclaim, “Wow! Pastor Jones did way more for the church than any of us realized!” This is yet another reason to appreciate God’s shepherds.
When thinking about the kind of pastors our churches need, Jeremiah 3:15 comes to mind. In this verse, God tells Israel, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” In a similar manner, our churches need men like these:
1.) Pastors who are SENT from God. (“I will give you shepherds…”) Churches sometimes get locked into certain attributes they think they need in a pastor. More importantly, we need the man God has for us.
2.) Pastors who SEEK after God. (“after my own heart…”) We need pastors who seek nothing else in ministry (i.e. recognition, power, wealth) other than the heart of God.
3.) Pastors who SHOW us to God. (“who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”) We need pastors who know God’s Word and understand how to help their people apply it.
From what I have experienced, GCBA is blessed with many pastors who fit these criteria. I encourage you to show your pastor honor this month (and always) as Scripture teaches (1 Tim 5:17). God blesses the church that blesses its pastor!
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