Tribute to Pastors

I would like to pay tribute to a specific group of Jasper county people this week. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The title for this group is, “pastors.”

We are approaching the month of October, which is traditionally known as, “Pastor Appreciation Month.” I am thankful to be called Pastor for over 25 years now. I have found that people have different perspectives of what a Pastor should be. I recently came across a church’s list of qualifications in seeking a new pastor.

The list was given the title, “The Ideal Pastor.” It read:

•He preaches only 20 minutes, but thoroughly expounds the Word.

•He condemns sin, but never hurts anyone’s feelings.

•He works from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., doing every type work, from preaching in the pulpit to janitor work.

•He makes $200 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books regularly, has a nice family, drives a nice car, and gives $50 a week to the church.

•He stands ready to give to any good cause, also.

•His family is completely model in deportment, dress, and attitude.

•He is 26 years old and has been preaching for 30 years.

•He is tall, short, thin, heavyset, handsome, has one brown eye and one blue eye, hair parted in the middle, left side dark and straight, right side blond and wavy.

•He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spend all his time with the older people.

•He smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work.

•He makes 15 calls a day on church members, spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched, and is never out of the office.

I do not qualify as an Ideal Pastor according to this list. This list was meant to be humorous, however many of the things written there are actually the thoughts of many church members.

In my first Pastorate I served as bi-vocational. I was 24 years old and really didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I learned quickly that preaching was just part of the job. I was constantly mediating disputes, giving marriage counseling and ministering to those who were in need. I learned that being a pastor was mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausting.

I also quickly learned that people have strange ideals. One lady came to me about my clothing. She said, “Pastor do you have a whole suit?” She went on to explain that as a senior pastor I shouldn’t wear a sports coat and slacks, but that I should have a whole suit that the pants and jacket are the same.

She would later tell me that I needed dress slippers and not cowboy boots to wear with my whole suits that I bought. I survived those early years and am thankful for the years since to serve the Lord.

I want to commend those who are called by God to be a pastor and are seeking to minister wherever God leads. I have tried to be an encourager to other pastors especially over recent years. I know about the sacrifices that a pastor and his family makes.

So to all my fellow pastors of Jasper County and surrounding areas I want to say, “Thank you for your dedication and service to our Lord and to your congregation.”

I’m praying that we each will continue to grow closer in our relationships with God and the people He has entrusted to our care. Together we can accomplish much good for Jasper County through Christ Jesus who strengthens us. God Bless You All!!!