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.
"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