What Should I Do For My Pastor?

I Thessalonians 5:12-13

Pastors are mere men, sinful men, weak men, men who make many mistakes in the course of their lives, men whose ministries will be tainted by many errors of judgment. Yet, God's greatest gift to any congregation is the gift of a true pastor, a man who faithfully preaches the gospel of Christ, who seeks the glory of God, and serves the interests of immortal souls. I am not talking about self-serving hucksters, who fleece God's sheep. I am talking about men who spend their lives serving and feeding the Lord's sheep. Such pastors are covenant promises and ascension gifts of Christ to his church (Jer. 3:15; Eph. 4:8-16). Every believer and every congregation to whom God has given such a pastor ought to ask, "What Should I Do For My Pastor?" If you want to know the answer to that question read I Thessalonians 5:12-13.

"We beseech you, brethren, to KNOW THEM WHICH LABOR AMONG YOU, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you." Make it your business to know your pastor, his needs, his burdens, and (to the best of your ability) his labor. True pastors are laboring men. They labor in the Word and in doctrine. They labor in the work of the ministry. KNOW ALSO THAT THEY "ARE OVER YOU IN THE LORD." The oversight of the flock is the pastor's responsibility. He must rule the house of God in the fear of God. It is his job to instruct and admonish you by the Word of God. "ESTEEM THEM VERY HIGHLY IN LOVE FOR THEIR WORK'S SAKE." Faithful men are worthy of your highest esteem and most devoted love. How can I sufficiently love and esteem a man who is faithful to my soul? Even if the man himself is less than amiable, his work makes him worthy of my love and esteem. "AND BE AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES." Twenty-four years of pastoral experience have demonstrated this fact - THE PEACE AND HARMONY OF ANY LOCAL CHURCH IS PROMOTED AND INCREASED WHEN IT HONORS AND LOVES GOD'S SERVANT; BUT THERE IS NO PEACE IN ANY CHURCH WHERE GOD'S SERVANT IS NOT LOVED AND ESTEEMED.

I thank God for a congregation of men and women who love and esteem their pastor far more greatly than he deserves. I urge all who read these lines to heed Paul's admonition. Know your pastor. Highly esteem your pastor. Love your pastor. And you will be at peace among yourselves!

Don Fortner