I Timothy 3:17 – This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

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In my previous devotion, I shared the importance of the relationship between the pastor and His people. In doing so, we discovered what the first three letters of the acrostic P-A-S-T-O-R could mean. In this devotion, we will continue with the last three letters of this acrostic.
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T – Thank God for our Pastor
They say the average pastor only stays at a church for 4 years. This could be due to a number of reasons. It could be that he was no longer willing to fulfill the duties of the pastorate. It could be that he didn’t feel appreciated or welcomed by the members of the church, or it could be that he decided to go and pastor another church.
At the time of this writing, our pastor has been serving at our church since the very beginning – 32 years! Out of all the reasons to thank God for our pastor, let us be thankful for his longevity and commitment to our church families. They say true longevity and commitment is measured in decades, not years.
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I’m sure there have been many obstacles that our pastor has faced over the years, but thank God he hasn’t wavered. In 32 years, can you imagine how many have criticized him? In 32 years, can you imagine how many have been disloyal to him? In 32 years can you imagine how many have tried to hurt him and his family? Yet through all this, he makes it a priority to serve our families week in and week out.
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Someone once said, “We don’t thank because we don’t think.” Perhaps the reason why some of us are not as thankful, as we should be for our pastor, stems from the fact that we have not considered all he has done for our church. The best attitude to have is a heart of gratitude.
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I Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

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O – Obey our Pastor
Let’s be honest with ourselves. It is not within our nature to obey. It goes against our pride and our selfishness. We expect obedience from those God has placed under us, but continually contemplate the obedience we should be showing to those God put over us. That fact that God is the One that has placed all authority in their right place, including our pastor, should cause us to obey our spiritual leaders so much the more.
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Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

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When we think of dysfunction in a home for example, many of us would describe that as everyone doing their own thing. Perhaps the wife has her own agenda, or the kids may be in rebellion. There is no unity in that situation. The remedy would be, first and foremost, that the husband of the home understands his proper role as a leader, fulfills the responsibilities of a leader, and his family follows accordingly.
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The same applies for the church. We have our God-given leader, and that is our pastor. For a church to be effective in the work of God, there cannot be dysfunction. All members of the church must understand their role, and the role that God has given to our pastor. We are to obey him, as he is directed of God to lead our church by watching after us. The Bible also tells us that our pastor will have to give account for our church.
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Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

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R – Remember our Pastor
Doesn’t it feel nice when others remember our special days? It could be a birthday, or an anniversary, or even a special “just because” gift that includes many of our favorite things. When others think of this in these ways, we feel special, appreciated, remembered.
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One prayer that I have as a father is that as my children grow older and eventually become adults, that they would remember the effort that I showed in raising them for God’s glory. I want them to remember the times spent in conversation. I want them to remember the times spent in discipline. I also want them to remember the times spent just enjoying them. As a result, any cards, or texts, or gifts that I receive from my kids always make me smile, because I know it comes from a place of “remembrance.”
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I can only imagine that joy that a pastor feels when they receive these same gifts and notes from the church family. All of the time preparing for messages. All of the time preaching with his heart. All of the time counselling and loving our families. I can only imagine how much it would mean to our pastor when we actually take the time to remember him.
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1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

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Here are a few ways we can remember our pastor:
• Remember his birthday (and also his wife’s birthday).
• Remember his anniversary.
• Remember to send him well wishes when he is sick.
• Remember to send a text of gratitude when he preaches a sermon that blesses you.
• Remember to greet him when you are at church.
• Remember to do something nice for him when he is on vacation.
• Remember to participate during our yearly special offering for him (Anniversary Sunday).
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MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY‍

Proverbs 15:22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.