“Focus on the Family began emphasizing Pastor Appreciation Month in the early 1990s, reminding congregations to honor their clergy staffs and families throughout the year, but suggesting a special tribute during October. For churches that wanted a one-time celebration, they also chose its second Sunday as Pastor Appreciation Day.”1
It has been almost a month since I have written anything. I thought it would be good to come back with a small article for Pastor Appreciation Month. There have been many pastors over the years that have helped me through hard and rough times in my life. I will start with my Youth Pastor Rick Harris (who is now in his early 60’s and still in youth ministry!) with whom The Lord brought into my life when I needed a father figure because my father loved alcohol. Rick invested his time and life into mine and because of that we are still close today. At my ordination Rick preached the message and as he looked me in the eye he told me this truth “people will not remember what you preach but they will remember you”. Rick, I remember you.
I will briefly highlight a few of them:
Pastor James Tippins - We go back to our youth ministry days in Roanoke (VA) 2001. We lost touch over the years and when I was struggling in my 2nd year at Lynch Station The Lord brought us back together. I found a podcast he was doing online and used the email link to reconnect and it has been awesome ever since. I was struggling in a “gospel of works” and James helped me see that salvation is wholly and truly of The Lord. Jesus Christ did all the work because I cannot. That is good news! I know that I can talk with James and not be judged by a Pharisee. That is very important for a pastor to have.
Pastor David Sage - I met David in 2015 and we hit it off, David and I just click. He knows that he can come to me and talk about whatever and I can do the same with him. He is always listening and always is willing to pray on my behalf. In actuality what I just said of David can be applied to everyone I am writing about.
Pastor Sam Knaus - If I can ever get you out of the O.T. I think we will be okay. I still think you’ve secretly converted to Judaism. Sam and his church has been a blessing to our family on Wednesday nights where our children are plugged into their youth and children ministries. I love to hear Sam speak and we connect scripturally.
(For those of you who just perked up at “Judaism” and were slightly offended you better go ahead and close this tab out now.)
Pastor Ed Soto - Even though you are Presbyterian I still love you; besides, who’s going to order tamales on Tuesday? My Puerto Rican brother in Christ! Ed knows that he can come to me and vent and that I can do the same for him. That is very important for a pastor to have. Someone who will listen.
Pastor Steven Haley - My brother from another mother, can you imagine us in high school together? We would have a jail ministry right now. At least you would be eligible for parole in two years. Without Jesus Christ we would be sitting on your porch in the summertime sipping 40’s, wearing wife beaters, and making fun of people who look like Ed.2 Pastor Steve is black and I’m white and we both love Jesus and each other. That is a truth that progressive Christianity cannot grasp and we both love it! We have no problem talking about race and what the solution is: the gospel. “Social Justice” doesn’t save, Jesus does. This generation cannot stand a black man and a white man standing arm in arm with the gospel in the center. In Christ color doesn’t matter. (If you disagree, don’t worry, one day you’ll be able to take it up with The Lord.)
I want to close with Hebrews 13:17:
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. - ESV
Thank you for watching over my soul and know that I’m watching over yours as well.
https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving/blog/story-behind-pastor-appreciation-month
I had to put Christ in bold because “woke minded” people would skip right over it and call me racist. They will still probably do it anyway.