APPRECIATING OUR PASTORS Watch the Pastor Appreciation Month Video from General Overseer Sam N. Clements The Bible teaches us to give honor to whom honor is due. I do not know of any position in the Church that deserves more honor than a God-called, God-anointed pastor. A pastor is a shepherd, a minister in spiritual and jurisdictional charge of a church congregation or community. Jeremiah 3:15 states, "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." Again in Ephesians 4:11-12, "And He gave some apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the perfecting (maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Today we have many preachers (ministers) with various callings and giftings that are well-trained and equipped in their ministry, but not every minister has a pastor's heart. All are needed and have a unique role to play in the body of Christ, but true pastors according to God's own heart are few. My personal prayer is, "Please, God, give us more!" Our pastors hold the most important positions in this church and without them the church would not exist. Please take special time, not just once a year, but every opportunity you have to encourage and support them in every way possible. People that continually give of themselves also need to receive. May God bless every pastor across this world with renewed courage and zeal to "feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage but being examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:2-4). Bishop Sam N. Clements, General Overseer