October is Pastor Appreciation
Dear EBC Church Family,
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. It’s a month to appreciate and encourage our pastors and acknowledge their hard work and dedication to the Lord and to the church body.
At Evergreen Bible Church we have 5 men who serve us and serve the Lord so well. I am in a unique position, working alongside all of them in the church office, to observe each of them every week. I am grateful to God for them all and admire and appreciate each one.
I was thinking about some of the attributes I see in our pastors that I admire. I’ll use Galatians 5:22-23 to share a part of the fruit of the spirit that I see in each one.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Pastor Toby – FAITHFULNESS
Toby has faithfullly preached God’s Word over the years. I have seen that he is steadfast in all areas of ministry and careful to keep what he has been entrusted with, from teaching and leading others, to managing and facilitating our building, and so many other things in between.
1 Samuel 12:24 – Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
Pastor Ryan D. – GENTLENESS
Interacting with, caring for and helping people see how they can best minister within the church body requires a certain gentleness that I see in Ryan. He counsels, presents new ideas and talks through problems in a gentle manner that makes him such an easy person to share things with.
Philippians 4:5 – Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Pastor Ryan A. – KINDNESS
Ryan takes into account each person as the unique creation they are, and cares for their feelings in such a kind and considerate way, celebrating their joys and caring and praying for their sorrows. He takes time to talk to people, whether they are young or old and makes them feel valued.
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Pastor Joe – JOY
Whenever I see Joe, he always seems to be happy, positive and upbeat, and serves the Lord and the Spanish congregation with such a joyful heart. He is involved in so many things and knows so many people both inside the church and outside, and does everything with gladness, sharing the gospel regularly with joy.
Romans 15:13 – May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Pastor Jacob – LOVE
I watch Jacob as he ministers to an serves the youth of our church, and I can see that he truly loves them and wants them all to know and love the Lord personally. The way he teaches and has relationship with them shows his love both for God and for each teen.
John 13:34-35 – Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
There are many more things I love and appreciate about our pastors, and I’m sure each of you also have things you appreciate about them and may like to share with them. There will be a box outside my office through the month of October, along with a stack of cards that you are welcome to use, or you can use your own, if you would like to write a note of appreciation to one or more of them this month.
I’ve been listening to a song called “My Why” by Matthew West from his album “Don’t Stop Praying” that I think perfectly describes why our pastors do what they do in serving Jesus and serving our church. Some of the lyrics are below along with the link to the song that I hope you will take a couple minutes to listen to!
Be in this world not of it, Follow Jesus, not the crowd
Be light wherever it looks dark, And love where hate is loud
Make every day’s ambition, Be to make my Father proud
That’s my why
Knowing my Jesus and making Him known
Following Him where He calls me to go
And running this race knowing I’m running home
Every day of my life, That’s my why
I’m fixing my eyes on a heavenly prize
So if anyone asks yeah that’s my …
Why I’m living
Why I’m breathing
Lord remind me why my heart is beating
And when I cross that finish line and my race has been run
May the reasons why I lived my life come down to just this one
To look into my Father’s eyes and hear Him say “Well done”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHeufHH38Nc
Sharon Pack
Admin. Office Asst.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,
continue to live your lives in him.” ~Colossians 2:6