“And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!”

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13(MSG)

You are gifted in serving, therefore have been made leaders. You are motivated to mentor, therefore you are teachers. You are moved with compassion, therefore you are shephards. You are obedient to the Father, therefore you are Pastors.

Today is Pastor Apprecation Day and I want to take this opportunity to love on my own Pastors as well as highlight what the Word says about a good leader. I have had the honor of growing up under excellent leadership in my home church. Here is just a few of the lessons I’ve learned from watching my Pastors:

Leading means being the best servant.

Sometimes the word boss and leader get mixed up. A boss can order other people to do all the hard work while they relax. But a leader shows others how to do the hard work by first doing it themselves.

Mentoring means movement.

My Pastor’s are big on mentoring. They look further into the future than just their own ability and time. They are focused on leaving a legacy. Training people to send them out. Building people to go and do. Growing others to propel us forward as the body of Christ. Their goal is not attention and position for their own, but to push others ahead and train them how to be effective in ministry.

Compassion keeps sheep.

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

1 Peter 5:2-3(NIV)

I see such an incredible heart for people in my Pastors. They truely care about their flock. I know personally they’ve been to the hospital for me and my family more times than I’d like to admit. But it’s not just me, they make hospital visits all the time. They genuinely watch over their sheep. They uplift and keep us constantly in prayer. And all this doesn’t come without a price. Being a shephard is a heavy responsibility. It’s not a job that can be done without love. Without true and genuine compassion for people, there would be no endurance to continue caring, sheltering, providing for, and tending to the sheep.

Follow the Spirit, not the latest craze.

Consistant. It’s hard to be consistant in today’s time with everything around us telling us to bend our beliefs. Just a little give here, just a little take there. Many leaders have been destroyed by the sway of the latest craze. But I have watched my Pastor in the twenty-three years I’ve been alive, stay constant in following the Holy Spirt. That doesn’t mean he has been perfect, because none of us are. But he has been pure. Pure in heart to follow God and deliver a message that comes from the Word. Not just saying what he thinks people want to hear.

So to my Pastors, thank you. For everything you do for us. For everything you do for the Lord. You give all of yourselves to the call. You are appreciated and loved. I’ve watched you my whole life. You’ve stood the test of time.

To those of you reading this, love on your pastors today. Their job is one of the hardest and most important jobs there is. Standing on the stage and delievering a sermon is only a fraction of the real work they do everyday to love on people and grow the kingdom of Heaven.

Be Blessed!

Jordan Smith

What are some of your favorite qualities about your Pastors? Let me know in the comments below!

To learn more about my church and my Pastors click here to see Faith Fellowship.

You can even watch sermon’s from our church live every sunday and wednesday- Here!