October is Pastor Appreciation Month

I believe we should love and appreciate the pastor of our church each and every month of the year, but since October is designated as Pastor Appreciation Month, I thought I would share this article by Bro. Ron Hood regarding a Christian Bible-believer being a help to their pastor and church.

Ten Ways to be of Help to Your Pastor, Your Church, and Yourself

1. Treat him with the proper respect. Treat him the same way you would a doctor, a lawyer, or a politician. A pastor's role is more important than all of these professional roles because he is God's appointed leader for you and your family. Therefore esteem him very highly in love for his work's sake (I Thessalonians 5:12-13).
2. Follow your pastor as he follows Christ (I Corinthians 11:1, Hebrews 13:7). Never blindly follow anyone but always follow the man of God who is following Jesus Christ as set forth in the Word of God (Philippians 3:17-21).
3. Pray for him often (Ephesians 6:18-20; II Thessalonians 3:1-2). You know how much opposition you receive from the world, the flesh, and the devil; your pastor receives even more, therefore, pray for him!
4. Obey him as he admonishes you and teaches you the Word of God (I Thessalonians 5:12 and Hebrews 13:17). These verses teach that you should submit, obey, and follow.
5. Do not speak against or listen to any gossip or slander about your pastor. I Timothy 5:19 reads, "Against an elder receive not an accusation.. ." and Ephesians 4:29 reads, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth...," Prov. 6:16-19 teaches that God hates for us to hurt people with words. Actively listening to gossip and slander is just as much a sin as speaking it.
6. Support him financially so he can keep his mind on the work of the ministry (I Tim. 5:17, 18 and Phil. 4:10-19). If a man cannot properly care for his family, he will be distracted from the ministry. It costs your pastor just as much to live as it does you, and in some cases more because of the additional transportation and the way he is expected to dress, etc.
7. Encourage your pastor. Tell him when he has been of help to you. Ephesians 4:29 teaches that we should speak that which edifies. You minister grace to your pastor when you tell him how he has helped you. He will be a more effective, dedicated servant of God if you give him some feedback on his ministry to you (Prov. 3:27). It will also be very encouraging if you tell your Sunday School teacher, husband, or wife, and children how they have helped or been a blessing to you. Praise doesn't cost - it pays great dividends - in the home, in the church, in the school, and on the job.
8. Be patient and understanding with your pastor, his wife, and his children. Do not expect your pastor or his family to be perfect, they are human. John 1:5, and James 5:17 teach that a man of God has the same human weaknesses and temptations that we all face.
9. Stay busy serving the Lord. This will bless your life and be a tremendous encouragement to your pastor. You have a spiritual gift, so use it. John 13:17 teaches, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." Happiness doesn't come from knowing what is right, happiness comes from doing what is right. Therefore, serve the Lord.
10. Be a blessing to your pastor, your family, and all who know you by being a soul winner. People all around us are lost in sin, dying and going to hell. Do all in your power to win them to Jesus Christ. Tell them what Christ has done for you and what He can do for them. Reflect on what your salvation means to you and then realize that those who are lost in sin need the same joy, peace, assurance, and hope that you have.