There is a great book about honor that really impacted my life, it is called Honor’s Reward by John Bevere. A few years back our church went through the series on a Wednesday night. There are a couple of things that really have stuck with me, and have become part of who I am. Since it is Pastor Appreciation Month, I will focus on that. We need to honor our Pastors. In theory I am sure we all think we do this, but in reality some of our behaviors may be less than honoring:
a) Being on time – how many come in to church late, show up to other meetings late? This is something that God has really done a work in me about because I have never had any concept of time. I was one of those people who the family always told me thirty minutes early to arrive so that I would only be five minutes late. Although I still have no concept of time, I make sure that I am on time, and if for some reason I am not, I apologize. It is usually dismissed, but I honor their time.
d) Don’t talk bad about them or too them. So you didn’t like the message, the song service, or it was too long, or too short. Keep your mouth shut – it is not about you. Unless you were the only person that was in the congregation that day (and that would make you the preacher to an empty church), maybe someone else needed a Word. Maybe someone else needed a breakthrough that would come through worship. My momma always said “If you ain’t got nothing nice to say, don’t say it.” Build them up with your words, don’t tear them down.
e) Pay your tithes – This goes to support the church, and yes, pay the pastors who lead the congregations. So many people have no problem sitting in church week after week and giving nothing. Would you go to work day after day and not be paid. Tithing is a whole blog in and of itself, but honor your pastors with tithes, offerings, and gifts.
f) Pray for your pastors. Pastors deal with their own problems, in addition to helping people in the congregation, and those who walk in from the street. They deal with the physical, emotional, mental and most of all spiritual needs of people. They need to be covered in their congregations prayer, just as much as the congregation should be covered by their prayers.
Be intentional with your honor of those who lead you spiritually. Realize they may not be perfect, but God has appointed them, and you have set yourself under them with God’s direction. Your words and actions should always honor them – intentionally.
Very nice post. I certainly appreciate this website.
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Hello! This post could not be written any better!
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