Dear Pastor
It's Sunday evening and the sun is just beginning to set. All afternoon I've felt waves of appreciation for my pastor, Gregg Matte. Until five years ago, I'd never had a shepherd who was younger than me, let alone one that is YEARS younger than me. I didn't dread it. I'm not that ridiculous. I just wondered what it would be like. Pastor Gregg pretty quickly won my respect but, over the course of these five years, he accomplished something substantially bigger. He won my heart. I love him. And, maybe more importantly, I just plain like him.
I was just standing in the kitchen, stirring up some chili when I thought how it would be a shame to let this day end without telling him how grateful I am for him. It's not pastor appreciation day or anything. Or at least I don't think it is. It's just a spontaneous wave of thanks and sometimes those are the best kind to relay. I thought maybe a few of you might feel the same way about your pastor right about now. Often we find ourselves on the same page around here in Siestaville so I decided to make it public and pitch the opportunity out here for anyone who wants to participate. Maybe a pastor or two might hop on here and grab some much needed encouragement. Like me, you may have a long list of things you love about your pastor but, for the sake of readability, let's limit ourselves to five. So, here goes mine.
Dear Pastor Gregg,
Here are five things I really like about you:
1. You never, ever disrespect your congregation by showing up unprepared. We always get all the lesson we can possibly handle in such a limited period of time.
2. You are not afraid of trying something entirely new. You were already great at what you were doing in college ministry before you came to serve us in Houston but you wanted to follow that cloudy pillar of God's glory and be willing to do something totally out of the box. You've been doing that ever since. Bravo. That takes guts.
3. You are a true worshipper. You fully participate in the song portion of our services instead of tapping your foot impatiently until you can get on the platform. Your personal practice of worship is very apparent in your public life.
4. You are hilarious. I'm one of those folks who believes people can be Godly and funny all at the same time. You are proof of that. Honestly, you made me laugh so hard at the end of today's service I could hardly stand up. I will remember your rendition of "even the rocks cry out" for many years to come. I LOVE THAT YOU DID THAT. AND NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. We could perform a duet some day if you want to.
5. You are married to the most wonderful pastor's wife on the planet. Kelly, I am crazy about you.
Thank you for loving me and my family, Pastor Gregg, odd as we may be. I just wanted to tell you today that we love you, too.
posted by Beth @ 7:13 PM
146 Comments
146 Comments:
I also had an overwhelming feeling today in worship that even though I know my pastor and just talked to him in Sunday School that I have never told him how much her means to me and how appreciated he is. Thank you for giving me the push to tell him personally.
James,
Just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you.
1. You chose to work with the youth. Your love for those kids shows. It shows from you, Robyn and your kids.
2. You are teaching them how to worship. I think that is so cool. It took a long time for me to learn that because it wasn't modeled for me.
3. You have one of the sweetest wives I have ever met. She has been such an important factor in the growth I have seen in myself over the past year.
4. You are not afraid to stand up for what you believe in. I can see the kids begin to feel the freedom to do that also.
5. You have 3 of the most precious little kids I have ever had the priveledge to hang out with.
I chose to write you, because too many times as parents we forget to stop and say thanks.
Jan
the pastor who has struck a chord in my heart is not my sunday morning pastor, but my tuesday night bible study pastor at another church where I go to a service called Kairos...
Mr. Mike,
1. Your passion for what you do is so contagious and has inspired and encouraged me to be more courageous in my dreams and ambitions to do what i love.
2. I love how you encourage us to find people after service to talk with, and talk through, whatever it is our heart has felt and been led to do during the service, instead of just returning to life as we left it a few hours before.
3.And I love that you have a life-long obsession (struggle) with OREOS. And, I love that we all know about it :)
4. I have only seen your wife in person one time, but I could pick her out of a crowd because of the way you so vividly describe your love for her to us. It is one of the most beautiful things i have ever heard. And it has made me very aware of my rising standards and what i am NOT willing to settle for because i am waiting, and know there is a man out there that will treasure me the way you do your sweet Jeanie.
5.I grew up as a ministers daughter, but now as a 24 year old, you were the first one to tell me how exited God was when He made me. And that as my maker, He has marked me as HIS. Thank you. THANK YOU.
(thank you for loving me without knowing me)
Pastor David:
1. Thank you for teaching out of the book of Proverbs. It is hard to swallow but such a book of wisdom. Thank you for preaching not just "feel-good" messages, but the truth. Life-giving truth.
2. Thank you for always obviously studying and being knowledgeable about what you are teaching.
3. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to talk to me, even though I took up too much of your time.
4. Thank you for your loyal walk during the years.
5. Thank you for talking to me about my salvation and about the blessedness of assurance of salvation.
Lori
Magnolia, AR
Pastor Mike Smith (Vista Community Church--Dublin, OH)
Here's what I love about you, Pastor Mike:
1. You're so real. About your weaknesses, your struggles. We can all relate to you.
2. You love your family, and you let everyone know. Tammy is one of my favorite people on the planet. And Spence and Shay are going to make awesome husbands someday.
3. Hi-lar-i-ous. I love, love, love laughing together as a congregation. Thanks for bringing that out in us.
4. You love God and His Word. And you want to stay as true to it as humanly possible. And you want us IN IT. In the Word. Thank you.
5. You're a faith-leaper. No playing it safe. We're all about the trust fall at Vista. And God is SO FAITHFUL.
Love you, Pastor Mike, Tammy, Spence and Shay!
Wonderful post. Pastors do NOT hear that they are appreciated enough. (As a pastor's wife, I can speak from experience. LOL) BTW, October is pastor appreciation month. Cool that you posted this without that even in mind. :-)
Yes, I was thinking the SAME thing today about one of our pastors! In general, our denomination doesn't always view the Bible as the inerrant word of God, but thank God, our pastors do! Their job is a tough one. Thanks for the reminder to share our appreciation with them.
How wonderful!!!!
Since I'm still in college, I tend to "church hop" (much different than bar hopping, just in case you didn't know)
But.. I have come across some pastors that have won me over, and some that could work on it.
I love a pastor who is real. I love it when they make the Word relatable. And of course if they make my sides hurt from laughing! I love it when they plant a fire inside us that just yearns for Jesus' touch! Woo Hoo!!!
I love the Pastor at First Baptist of Augusta, GA and the Pastor at Abundant Life Church in Mt. Juliet, TN and the Pastor at Harvest Church in Warner Robins, GA and the Pastor at 2nd Baptist in Warner Robins as well!
Dear Pastor Jon Larson, King of Kings Lutheran Church,
Thank you for being prepared each Sunday. Your sermons are have humor and messages relating to our life in today's world.
Thank you for the "homework" each week. I never know how the scripture will affect me.
Thank you for accountability. Since I told you about being part of the Siesta memorization team, you ask me what I am working on and take a true interest and give me encouragement.
Thank you for supporting and participating the healing service earlier this year. I was so moved by your words that day in February. The Holy Spirit has never been stronger than we gathered that day.
Thank you for your entusiastic support of God's G.A.L.S. and the Beth Moore bible study. Even though it is all women and we studying Esther: It's Tough to be a Woman, you are welcome to join us anytime. I look forward to getting to know Rachel Saturday mornings this Fall.
I appreciate all you do for the church, and I support you in your endeavors to take off a few extra pounds.
Blessings,
Mary Ann, Woodbury, MN
******************************
Ladies, I received a note from Dayspring today. October 11 is ministry appreciation day.
Beth, thank you for the opportunity to post this note.
Dear Pastor Don,
My family loves you and is so thankful for you for so very many reasons, but for now I will give you five.
1. You know everybody's name. I don't know how you do it. You know all 1200 of us and even our family members who only visit occasionally. That means the world to us.
2. You are one of the godliest men I know... and at the same time you are are very connected to the "real world". You know Jack Bauer and regularly share your love of CSI and What Not to Wear.
3. You and your dear wife Audrey participate fully in every possible activity and outreach in our church. You do the thing!
4. You make us laugh.
5. You genuinely love the people of our church. Not one of us doubts it.
Love,
Anne
Lorton, VA
P.S. Siesta Mama Beth, thanks for starting this. I was thinking similarly this afternoon...
What a great post! So great!
My father was a pastor (passed away 8 years ago).
My husband's father was a pastor (retired).
What a life it is to be a PK and what little appreciation there is when you're a pastor.
Love my pastor...in fact about a year ago he called me his spiritual daughter. Nearly burst out in tears (miss having an earthly father).
Oh, on the top of my favorite person list is Pastor Glenn Reese. This quiet southern man from deep Georgia knows how to humble himself like no other. He is a true spiritual dad.
Thank you, Beth!
Susan
Evangelism Chick in Jax, FL
I didn't mention my pastor's last name or church...
He is the wonderful Pastor Don Davidson of First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia.
Beth,
Actually, October is Pastor Appreciation Month, so as always, you are on the ball!
Thank you for doing this today.
I do appreciate our pastor, have always appreciated all of my pastors, and as a pastor's sister, I know how much that appreciation is needed.
The 5 things that I appreciate about our current Pastor James:
1. Just like Beth said about her pastor, Pastor James is always very prepared.
2. I appreciate that he cares so much about all of his congregation. . .I especially appreciate how he gives attention to my son.
3. I appreciate that he supports all of the ministries of the church.
4. I appreciate that he is human, and that he shares that with us.
5. Like Beth, I appreciate my pastor's wife and that they are a team. As a sister-in-law to a pastor's wife and youth minister's wife, I know how important that is.
Dear Pastor Brent,
1. I love that you stepped into a body of believers who just lost their dear pastor to cancer 6 months before, and have comforted us and helped us through our grief.
2. I love that you are never seen without a smile on your face, except for when you are trying to get a very serious point across...even then the smile cannot hide for long.
3. I love your "Ruthie" stories.
4. I love how you bless us each Sunday before you dismiss us, and how you blessed the 3-5 year olds tonight when you dismissed them. "Remember, when God thinks about you, He has a HUGE smile on his face!" So precious.
5. I love the amazing pastor's wife you brought to us. She is beautiful, and is a true woman of grace. I've loved her since the first day you candidated, and you prayed for our dear Cummings family (former pastor), and she sat there with tears in her eyes just like we all had.
We LOVE you all dearly, and THANK GOD for you daily!
Dear Pastor Craig,
1. Thank you for following the Holy Spirits lead to move your entire family and my best friend, your wife, to NYC. God is blowing us away in this incredible adventure. Thank you for saying yes to the call.
2. Thank you for your discernment to hear Jesus so clearly and especially your incredible teaching gift. I can't tell you how many times I was sitting in the back crying my eyes out because God used you to speak to me.
3. Your humility overwhelms me.
4. Your an incredible writer and the love and humility in your heart jumps off the page into the reader.
5. Thank you for all your acts of kindness to the homeless here, and teaching us what it really means to serve Jesus.
I forgot to mention my pastor too. Pastor Brent Nelson, of Five Points Community Church in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Stepped into a hurting church that just lost our dear pastor of 11 years to colon cancer. Brent is wonderful...
I am grateful for more than one pastor that God has brought to our church. God has been leading our church through a season of growing this past year. It has been painful, but at the same time we are growing in our faith. Our comfort zones have been stretched, but again, it has been good.
Pastor Phil,
You were a kind shepherd at the beginning of this difficult journey our church has been on. You brought us together and helped the healing process begin. We miss you and your wonderful wife tremendously.
Pastor Bert,
You are definitely getting us to think outside the box.
Your sermons are challenging and always pointing us to follow hard after Christ.
I love your deep voice, and that you sometimes break into song in the middle of a sermon, and then invite us to join with you, and we do.
To the pastor that will come and be a shepherd to our church, know that we are already praying for you and your family. I don't know who you are yet, but God does, and that is all the assurance I need.
Thank you for this opportunity, Beth. Sorry for the long post. Our church has been through a lot lately, and I know we are not the only one.
Our pastor, Jeff Gravens, was called to First Baptist Church Crawford on August 2nd for his first pastorate. In eight short weeks, he has already earned my respect and appreciation, as well as captured my heart! Here's my top 5:
1. You are beyond prepared on Sunday morning! The effort and time you put into sermon preparation is so evident! It's important to you to do things right. You set extremely high expectations for yourself and your leadership at our church.
2. You have been put to the test right off the bat - baptisms, new folks joining the church, the Lord's Supper, and deacon ordination, and you have lead them all like you've been pastoring for years!
3. I can tell you love kids. You learned their names super fast, and your eyes twinkle when you interact with them.
4. You're not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get dirty. Two church work days in eight weeks and 5th quarter after our first home football game - need I say more?!
5. You're already a Crawford Pirate. You know the hand sign we use at football games, and you cheer, too!
onehappychic
crawford, texas
Beth,
That is uncanny the timing of this message. I was just on FB and Pastor Gregg had a comment on his status about how amazing he thought church was today and wanted to know if anyone had any comments about that.
But God.....
I love the BODY of CHRIST!! All of us! I attend two different churches along with your Bible Study on Tuesday nights. I love Dr. Paul Clines at First Methodist Houston. He is sincere, yet witty. It is so much fun being friends with his entire family. He is married to a Kellie as well!
I love Pastor Joel at Lakewood Church. Everytime I walk out of there on Saturday nights, I feel like God and I can do anything together. My faith gets so pumped up and I am constantly reminded how much God loves me! I am glad to know that God is not mad at me, but madly in love with me. That inspires me to please him.
Lastly, Siesta Momma Beth, I would be absolutely remiss if I did not tell you what an incredible work the LORD did in my life through your anointed teaching. I had been a student of yours for a long time before I decided to "Just do this thing!"
One day God got my full, undivided attention and I have never been the same since!! PRAISE JESUS!!!
Girl, now I have some WORD in me and it daily renews me, refreshes me, redeems me, and exhilarates me!!
You are always so right on when you say,
"THERE AIN'T NO HIGH LIKE THE MOST HIGH!!!"
My friends and family cannot believe the transformation in my life over the last 5 years. They say, "Roxanne, you used to be so wild and crazy when you drank and partied!" I tell them, "I am still wild and crazy. I am WILD ABOUT JESUS and CRAZY IN LOVE WITH HIM!!!
Beth, you sowed some seed into this girl! And it took deep root!
I love you!
Thank you!!
Roxanne
this is so nice of you Beth. I'm sure your pastor appreciates this! As young pastor's ourselves, it is always encouraging to know that people care about us. What a great post to get people thinking! And, I'd like to say, that I'm thankful for our pastoral staff and all that they do for our family and our church body.
I sat under Greg at Breakaway in my good ole' Aggie days! He is fantastic. Although we are not Baptist by denomination, I have told my husband MANY, MANY times if we ever move to Houston I am going to FBC to hear Pastor Greg! We just changed churches, so I can not say too much abou tmy new Pastor because I don't know him that well. For our previous pastor, here are the 5:
1. You are a very hard worker. Both in church and out.
2. You always made time to talk with us, even we disagreed.
3. You love you wife and let it show!
4. You are shameless in your worship of Jesus Christ.
5. You encouraged me to step out and follow my calling. Thank you!
Beth,
I love that you are giving us the opportunity to do this! Well here goes!!
Pastor Archie Emerson:
The five top things about you that my family is thankful for:
1. You are uncompromising! You are true to the Bible and uncompromising in your defense of the Word!
2. You are warm and genuine. When you speak to others you are empathetic and caring. You connect with others in a non-judgemental manner.
3. You are an incredible Preacher! The first time I entered the Church 10 years ago and heard you preach I was truly convicted! I don't know if it is the "Southern Baptist" in you that reaches us "Northerners" but your messages are spot on!!!! Even the ones I don't like so much because I know God is telling me something I am not wanting to hear! But then again isn't that why the Good Lord annointed you!!
4. You are such a Humble man. As it states in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 And as a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
5. We are also thankful for your devotion to your wife, Linda and likewise her devotion to you and the Church. What a true testimony you both are of placing the Lord first and foremost in your lives.
Thank you for answering the Lord's call upon your lives. Thank you for always reminding us how much Jesus loves us and what he has done for us!
Luv-2-Praise
Ocean State Baptist Church
Smithfield, Rhode Island
As the wife of a pastor, and Mom of a pastor, I say thank you Beth for this post of love and encouragement.
I thank the Lord for both my man and my son because they are genuine Christ-followers.
I am a better wife and mom because of their lives and testimonies.
They make me want to be more like Jesus because they are the REAL DEAL at home and in the pulpit.
Thank you Beth for ministering to us.
Love, Georgia Jan
Dear Pastor Cole,
1. You made this very young girl actually enjoy "big service".
2. When I was older and actually understood "big service", I sat mesmerized by your love for the Father and for the Word.
3. Your message of Love, even to those we disagree with who do not know Christ, has remained with me.
4. Your love and devotion to your wife of over 50 years, well, it makes me like you so much more.
5. Some of my very favorite times in "big service" were when you'd play on your trumpet a dedicated song to your wife. I admire how you cherish her.
Thank you! You have no idea how I take you with me through decisions and, just life.
I was blown away by this post because our community is in shock today. A pastor took his life this morning. Please pray for the church and his family.
To my pastor, Ron Thank you for all your hard work and study. Your message today was great--difficult but so needed. You are preparing us for revival---not a series of meetings where we hear good preaching but genuine revival! We can't express how thankful we are to be serving alongside of you and Jennifer.
Debbie
Mike Glenn Brentwood Baptist Church
Brentwood, TN
I am blessed to have you as my Pastor and I appreciate all you do.
1. The way you serve those who attend Kairos. It's so obvious how much you love those kids and I can sense God's pleasure in that service.
2. Your sermons are always relevant and engaging and it is obvious you are well prepared.
3. You are honest with the congregation in ways we can do better but still frequently tell us "we are the coolest church around."
4. Your ability to consistently apply scripture to modern and current events.
5. I can tell how much you love Jesus and it makes me want to love Him more too.
Susan Hill
Nashville, TN
WOW!!! I loved reading your reasons. Our family has the same pastor (pastor Gregg) and we just LOVE him. There are so many wonderful things but here are the five from each family member... only fitting since we have 5 members:o)
1. I just love that you make everyone feel important and that you are so "real". Like you have known us forever. We are valued no matter who we are and where we are in our walk with Christ. You challenge us each and every Sunday at each individual's educational level!
2. My hubby would say you are a great visionary!
3. My oldest would say that you apply things to our "day and time" from the Bible and that your sermons aren't boring and make it "alive" Also, that you make us smile/laugh...in a good way.
4. My middle child would say you are not too "stuffy" and formal. You make things interesting so that we can relate to it.
5. My youngest would say...you are going to baptize me (you can relate even to the youngest church member and make them feel important)
I hope Pastor Gregg you get to read these! Maybe I'll send a card:) Have a BLESSED week!
Oh Beth, were you at the evening service where Pastor Gregg actually started off the service ON STAGE, at the MIC, SINGING, "One way! Jesus!! You're the only one that I could live for!!" He sang the WHOLE SONG on the MIC! I work in Preschool and we watch the service on our tv in there, and I looked up to see OH MY GOSH Pastor Gregg is singing!! It was hilarious!! The things that go down at the evening services of Houston's First Baptist Church. People would be shocked!!
How awesome a post Beth Moore!
There is much to be thankful for with my pastor and his wonderful wife. But the first and most important thing which actually I was reminded about just how important this is while watching the Session 2 video in the David study last week.
Oh it was so intense about the vulnerability of leaders to compromise the truth.
That is what I am so thankful for...Norm (which he is so fondly known as) gets up and preaches week after week the truth boldly without compromise.
And he is one of those people with so much knowledge that you just feel that he could just go off preaching leaving you in the dust as to what the heck is he talking about. But he doesn't; he's not up on the pulpit trying to impress his audience with his knowledge.
I am also so thankful for that fact he will take the time to answer any question I may have. Which is often sometimes...:)
Michelle in VT
I loved Gregg at "Break Away" in CS, TX and I can imagine how powerful he is as a pastor there... God is good.... I am sitting here in Singapore praying for someone like him to come shepherd our church here...
I love & appreciate both of our pastors up here in northern Minnesota! They preach and teach from the Word in love..but never sugar coated...always the truth. I like that! They have both given their lives fully to God, and are wonderful examples. Our pastor Larry also really encourages me in my teaching of adult Sunday school and womens Biblestudies. (by the way..we love your studies Beth, thanks for also letting God use you to teach us!)I feel so blessed to be a part of a body that are doers of the Word and not hearers only! Thanks Larry & Jim!!
Shining for Jesus in Minnesota,
Heidi
Dear Pastor Mark,
Thank you for teaching us the truths of the scripture. Thank you for strongly yet delicately taking on your roll as the shepherd of our hurting congregation years ago. I am proud of you for not shying away from issues that have needed to be addressed, and for doing so in a graceful and respectful manner. And thanks for supporting your staff. I am sure that it feels ironic that your reviews and meetings with the personnel committee are right before pastor appreciation month. Hang in there, there is a light at the end of the tunnel :-)
Dear Anthony,
Thank you for teaching our congregation about meaningful worship. You pick hymns and choruses with meaning, not empty phrases. I'm proud of that.
Dear Brett,
You are the best husband in the world and I want to kiss your face off :-p (Except right now I won't because I have germs.) I am so proud of how you speak truth into the lives of our students and how you mentor them into strong people of God. You challenge them. They respect you. They love God. They want their friends to experience God with them. It delights me when I see it... that hunger for the things of God in them. I can see it when it first sparks. Some of the newbies are just acquiring an appetite. In the veterans it is becoming insatiable. I am so humbled to support it. I can hardly believe how far they have come in the past 6 years. So much brokenness has been brought to wholeness. We had no idea the kind of situation we were walking into. Glory be to the God who made it happen. It is amazing what God has done and is doing through you. You have been unshakable through thick and thin. I am giddy with anticipation of what is to come and how God will use you, however that may be. Thank you for doing your best to maintain the appropriate balance between family, church, and seminary. I may complain sometimes, but in reality I could never handle it as well as you do. I would break. Now matter how long your day has been, you never complain about being too tired to play with our little girl when you get home, even if she is making you pretend to be things like the fancy fancy goat. Watching you with her makes me fall in love with you all over again many times a day. You make my heart glad. Thank you for spoiling me rotten, for being my rock, and for loving God first.
(I must add one more:)
Dear church techie guys and gals everywhere,
I appreciate you so much for your consistent, behind the scenes roll in ministry that so often takes up your time after-hours. Thanks to you I was able to listen to a couple of great sermons online today in lieu of my regular church attendance, as I have been stuck at home with the swine flu. It was a blessing to be fed.
><>BECCA<><
I go to Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, AR. We have 3 pastors and they are all wonderful. Our newest pastor, Mark Henry, just came to us from Atlanta and he rocks!!!! He is truly a tender warrior. He is huge...used to be a football player but gentle. He gets up and preaches the Truth in love. Some of the things he says seem like they would be hard to say but he does it anyway.....he's courageous. It's also obvious that he adores his wife and his kids. He loves the Lord and it shows. And, on top of that, he is a people person which is really nice to have in a pastor. I am thrilled to be a part of a church where not just one, but all our pastors are just wonderful in so many different ways.
Todd Cook:
1. Thank you for never being bashful. You tell us what we need to hear, just like it is. In love and respect none the less. =)
2. The desire you have for Christ is contagious!!! When I hear you preach, I can't help but feel your passion inside of me.
3. Your laugh is hysterical. You have the lamest jokes ever (and you aren't ashamed to admit it =)!) but somehow you have the whole auditorium laughing n sync with you.
4. The way you close your sermons. The desire you have to see the lost get saved is amazing. You are an absolutely amazing example of the love Christ has for His lost sheep.
5. The fire you have while you're preaching. You want people to GET IT...and not just for a few hours on Sunday. You want these lessons to transform lives.
I know you'll probably never read this, or even know who I am, but I want you to know that your service this summer has transformed my life. Thank you, Todd, for listening to the Holy Spirit's calling on your life, so many years ago. You rock!
My pastor, Mike, is amazing, too! He's taken me in as an "adopted" daughter. His family let me stay at their house every weekend while in college so I could come and help out with the youth. He married my husband and I (youth pastor at his church) 3 years ago and is now an amazing "adopted" grandpa to my one-year-old daughter. He lives what he preaches--especially in his home. He raised two amazing girls I call friends. I love his zeal & passion. He always looks out for the good of his staff. I thank God for him often! And he also has an amazing sense of humor--he's always good for a joke...or prank (us youth people are good at those!).
oh Beth,
How I wish I could be uplifting. In June, after almost 10 years here in our ministry (Worship) my husband was called into a meeting with our Pastor and was fired with no warning because of a "lack of cohesion" with the senior pastor. No one in leadership had ever spoken to my husband about this and we are hanging onto Jesus as we seek a new church home. We so appreciate what you shared on Travis' live CD and we long to be Paul and Silas praising Him in the earthquake. thank you for a spirit of encouragement to those who serve.
Pastor Rufus Smith, City of Refuge Church in Houston:
1) I love that you worship so freely in church. You stand at the back so I know it's not for show, and sometimes when I look back you have your hands up and your eyes closed. You worship in our worship service.
2) I love that you have invested so much time in me, teaching me to temper passion with patience and to be tender about others' faults. I grew up at another church, but I grew up spiritually under your tutelage.
3) I love that when I came to you with a sin that was crushing me, you didn't act shocked. Or disappointed. You said I was human like everyone else, and you walked me through it. And when I asked you if I was still part of your "Joshua generation," your group of young leaders, you said, "No. You're my Joshua."
4) I love that we secretly call you "the vault" because we know that anything said to you goes no further, not even to your wife.
5) I love that you spot people in the congregation who have been away a long time, whether for college, travel, because they've moved, whatever--even if we haven't told you we'd be back. I can trust that when you've stood up and surveyed the crowd you'll say "Do my eyes deceive me, or is there a Harvard student in our midst?" I love that you look for me.
6) I love that you're a 5th Ward street kid who can spot someone running game from a mile away, and yet also move among CEOs and politicians and church leaders. You are so comfortable in your own skin, and you have been my model for crossing cultural boundaries while keeping my own sense of self.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that "my pastor" is one of the sweetest and proudest phrases I can utter because of you.
Thank you Beth for giving us this opportunity.
My dad is my pastor. He's been my pastor for 25 years (technically, 24, I was born his last year of seminary) :)
To my Dad
1. You are authentic, there are no pretenses.
2. You love the people you pastor. Love them so deeply you stay awake at night concerned about how they might come to know Jesus more.
3. You're funny! I agree that you can totally find Jesus through humor. And dad, you do that perfectly and sometimes at your own expense.
4. You're open. You're open to everyone and accepting of everyone. You are open to new ideas and new ways of worship. You've even allowed me to challenge how we worship and you've given me the blessing to lead our congregation as a worship leader. The spiritual heritage you and mom are passing down through me and now my children is amazing.
5. You are compassionate. After you came home from your trip to Africa, I have noticed a change in you. You love more deeply. I see it in how you care for us, your children, and my daughters, your granddaughters. You have not let Africa leave your mind. It resonates in your heart.
Thank you Dad for how much you love the body of Christ and how compassionate you are! I love you and I'm proud to call you my Dad!
Love,
Emily
I actually have been thinking of sending my pstor a thank you note of this sort. He probably won't get it if I only post it on here, though, so I'll have to copy and paste it and give it to him. BTW, Beth, you actually have one from me on it's way to Houston right now.
Dear Scott,
1. I love your desire to transform both religious and nonreligious people into fully devoted followers of Christ. I love that you don't want to see people playing the church game; you want them to actually follow Christ. Furthermore, you lead us in doing this. God put you in my life at a time when I had been badly hurt by someone playing the church game, and I had finally begun to reaize that being a true disciple meant following Jesus and needed a role model in my life who was doing that.
2. I love that you are willing to follow Jesus wherever He leads you, even if that means you have to set up chairs every week and there's a chance you might end up without a job. Not many people are willing to do that, especially in this economy.
3. I love that you make a point of checking in on people and letting them know that you care, especialy the people who haven't been at church for a certain amount of time.
4. I actually kind of like your lame jokes. You give our church plenty of inside jokes.
5. I love that you are honest with us. I've found it difficult to find people who are willing to be honest with me, and the fact that you are honest and open with all of us is both refreshing and encouraging to me.
Thank you Scott, and Hannah, for all you guys did for the youth at MCC and for all that you are doing and will do at Covenant Grove! I appreciate it!
I commented, but forgot to post my five... so here goes.
Dear Greg,
1. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that you are not only my pastor, but also my spouse. It makes it very convenient, especially since we both live in the parsonage. ;-)
2. I am amazed that today, even as you were sweating with pain from a kidney stone, you still got up and delivered an awesome sermon. Even though I often know what you're going to say (since we've usually talked about it some during the week), you still manage to keep my interest.
3. Thank you for taking time with the kids in the church. You listen to them like they are the most important people in the entire universe and never never make them feel small.
4. You aren't afraid to step out and just be one of the folks. Even though you and I are both come-heres and not from-heres, you've never let that hold you back from being part of the community.
5. You tell other people that your wife is awesome (even though I absolutely don't deserve that particular adjective) and rarely tell stories from the pulpit that make her (me) want to hide under the pew.
Love,
Your partner in ministry and in life
-Lily (Scottsville, VA)
Pastor Darrell,
1. I love your sense of style. Truly. Love your Hawaiian print shirts.
2. I love how much you love your wife and children. Of course, your wife is one GREAT woman.
3. I love how you love us. You care about us. You want us to run the race well and finish well.
4. I love your vision for our church and how you want us to be Jesus to our community.
5. I love your children. I have had the pleasure of having all but one of them in Sunday School. They are great kids and I love getting hugs from them.
We laugh at our church too, Beth. Thanks for the opportunity to do this.
Melana
It IS a blessing to be in a Body with a humble, Christ-focused, confident (but not cocky), Word-Lover, Jesus-Worshipper, full of the wind of the Spirit leader.
Thanks, Lord, for Beth's pastor and my family's pastor (just heard one of the best sermons I've ever heard on Genesis 4-11 today). Bold and balanced is a beautiful combination!
Warm in Alaska.
This is for my daughter's Pastor (Jon Courson of Applegate Christian Fellowship)and one that I have listened to for so many years on the radio and now live on the internet:
Pastor Jon,
Thank you for your contagious love for the Lord Jesus Christ that has not lessened in all the many years.
Thank you for your boldness and courage to speak the Truth in love and in grace.
Thank you for having grace, preaching grace, extending grace without ever compromising the true Character of God.
Thank you for following God and His ways and not just 'doing' church but encouraging us to be the church! Also providing every day of the week a way to worship God, hear God's Word, and never giving up on God's vision for Applegate.
Thank you for your love towards your family and beautiful wife Tammy, and towards the body of Christ, and for those yet to become the bride of Christ.
In appreciation!
mk
Dear Pastor Ken (Northside BC, Mboro TN)-
Here are five reasons that we love you:
1)I love how "real" you are ALL the TIME... that you know how to laugh and when to cry, you actually do watch tv and ballgames, that even though you'll admit you're not techno-savvy, you'll still try anything to reach lost folks.
2)There's a reason that I choose to call you "Pastor Ken" when others refer to you as Brother Ken... The name suits you well. You shepherd your flock well, my friend. I've seen it first-handedly. You even beat me to the hospital and fed him breakfast!:)
3)I love the way that you love your wife, kids and grandkids and make them a priority. The fact that they all love and serve Jesus is an added bonus!!!!!
4)Since I sit in the orchestra, I have a perfect view of your seat on the front row during the worship set. It's cool to hear my pastor singing at the top of his lungs every Sunday morning... How cool is it that my pastor is also a Lead Worshipper????
5)I love the way that you love the Word of God and Challenge us to "Open the Word to Our World." The time that you spend in studying for Sunday is evident every time that you stand behind that sacred desk. And that makes me love God's word even more, and is what challenges me to serve Him daily with my own ministry, "Mourning Into Dancing."
Thank you!
Preacher -
How could I let this opportunity pass by with out screaming Praises for you and Ms. Carol!
Thank you for 38 years of patience, perseverance, and true grit. Thank you for not just standing for what's right, but pushing back when the world goes askew. Thank you for your love of the Lord and our congregation.
Who says we need an official day to appreciate our pastors? My pastor, Paul Valentine, is a dedicated student of the Word and has a passion for passing that on! Thank you so much, Pastor Valentine!!
Tara
My dad was my pastor for a number of years, and although he has been with the LORD (and the Lord) for 20years now, I can't help but think of those years when topics like this come up.
I'm thankful, Dad, for:
1. Your obedience to God's call to the ministry at the age of 36.
2. Seeing you often at the kitchen table with your Bible open before you.
3. For your acceptance of people regardless....
4. Getting to witness the weddings you performed in our home when people had no ministers to call on.
5. For teaching me how to make Cookies & Cream ice cream long before Blue Bell came up with the idea
Love you.....
Dear Beth...let me take a sec and tell ya...
I was in Honduras this past week...SOOO many things happened but one thing in particular I wanted to share with you...
We got to visit a village, wash the feet of about 300 people and put brand new shoes on them, thanks to SAMARITANS PURSE! I was sooo floored by how God worked!!!
Their feet are tiny! And we would be OUT of a certain size and all of the sudden 3 more pair in that size would appear...some of us think they were mixed up...I think miracles are alive in today's world and God provided...we had to turn people away, but I know God had shoes on everyone who He wanted shoes on that day!
My favorite was a man who was sooo scraggly looking and as he sat down in front of me I tried not to gasp when I saw that he only had one arm...I was deeply touched by him and will be remembering him in my prayers. He cannot work well in that culture...it is very physically demanding...
Anyhow, Thank you Beth for your commitment to Samaritan's Purse and helping to make things like this experience that I had possible!
God bless!
Silas,
1. I love how you don't teach us what we want, but give us what we need. Solid, undeniable truth. No apologies.
2. I love that whenever you use your wife Amanda during an illustration, you always dig yourself into the biggest hole - and then you do it again. And again. And again.
3. Thank you for being willing to be hated, ridiculed, rejected and shunned for Jesus and his grace. You give us grace every Sunday and live it out every day. You started me on the grace journey. Thank you for being patient with me while I relearnt everything I knew and for knowing it was worth it.
4. I love it that we can just hang out and talk about anything. You're the big brother I never had.
5. Most of all, THANK YOU for letting me be me and for loving me because of it. I know you love me but the fact you hug me and tell me so every time you see me is amazing. You always tell me that you see my heart and it's beautiful. That means the world to this 24-year-old stubborn, impulsive, emotional, confused, self-depricating girl.
This is definitely a post I can go with!! Our pastor is an awesome man and we are blessed to have him. Dr. Fred Lodge at FBC Blairsville.
1. Not afraid to try new things. For goodness sake, he let me co-teach a Sunday evening sermon with him!! That is pretty radical for a Baptist preacher.
2. Has a heart for the hurting among us and is willing to get in and hurt with them.
3. Longs for people to come to know Christ.
4. Preaches with a fire that comes from the Holy Spirit.
5. Is always prepared to preach whatever the Spirit gives him.
I could go on but I'll follow the rules.
Leah
Pastor Greene,
1. Your knowledge and preparation of Scripture is amazing. Each week you bring us a fresh word from the Word. Last week, when talking about the father who needed help with his unbelief and you explained how WE BELIEVE IN THE ONE WHO COMPLETELY BELIEVES Wow. I honestly thought I was going to hear another sermon on how I needed to believe more. But I should know you better, instead you guided me into the truth of what my belief is. Thank you.
2. You applications and examples hit directly home. I know that comes from much prayer and preparation to guide us and teach us. Thank you. I am stunned each week that your sermons speak right to my heart.
3. You do this each Sunday while teaching a bunch of middle schoolers! I am astounded that you have your degree from the Lutheran seminary (no easy task), that you are an ordainded Pastor who could do the whole robes thing, but instead you teach a bunch of middle school kids every day of the week and then come teach, lead and guide us on Sundays! All while getting your masters degree to teach the kids better too. The Lord has a true servant in you.
4. Your love for your wife is so precious to see. Your ministry in El Salavador that the two of you share is beautiful and her love for the children there is wonderful.
5. You never, ever forget to point us to the cross. No matter the sermon, no matter the topic, you turn toward the cross at the end and say but...., you never, ever leave us without hope or feeling like we must do it on our own, or even that we could. Thank you.
Pastor James McClintock at FBC Moberly, MO:
1. Thank you for having a sense of humor! Lord knows this world needs one.
2. Thank you for outlines. I can't say I keep them all--I have to clean out my Bible periodically when they spill everywhere. But the act of writing helps cement these ideas in my memory, making it "stick". I filled the whole margin of my journaling Bible yesterday with notes on the Greek and its implications.
3. Thank you for loving football and motorcycles. (Even if you insist on liking Arkansas. ROLL TIDE!)
4. Thank you for preaching all the Word and not skipping the difficult parts. Because of some of the churches I've been in that wanted to ignore things that didn't fit their wishy washy theology, this is especially meaningful.
5. Thank you, most of all, for understanding that not all your members follow the exact same political philosophies. For putting up with two people who ask a lot of tough questions (including two pages worth of them before we even really considered joining).
I gotta add a 6.
6. Thank you for helping me learn about leading worship. I'm so glad I didn't get the job when I applied. I'd have been OVERWHELMED.
My favorite pastor ever was when I was in college.
So to Fr. Mike:
1. thanks for taking time to talk to any student who needed you
2. Thank you for your reverence and your humility.
3. In case you didn't know - we used to go around singing the Gatorade commercial "we wanna be we wanna be like Mike" in honor of you.
4. Thank you for inspiring so many young people to give their lives in service to Lord simply by being so happy in your vocation.
5. Thank you for your obedience and accepting the new position God called you to - we missed you but even that was an example to us!
God bless you!
Pastor David Uth (First Baptist Orlando, Florida):
1. Your humility is apparent from the moment you walk into the buidling.
2. You teach with such passion and love that God's Word cannot help but penetrate even the hardest heart.
3. You not only commisson us with such enthusiasm to SERVE in our community and around the globe, you are right there in the middle of us with sleeves rolled up!
4. Ministry is messy, and you teach us to love others with such compassion.
5. You make me laugh, every Sunday ,because you so easily laugh at yourself!
Much love and praise to you David Uth! Thank you for loving all 15,000 of us at First Baptist Orlando!
Kim B.
Pastor Bruce,
1. Thank you for always preaching from the Bible and making Jesus the center of everything.
2. I love how you tear up when you talk about God's amazing love for us.
3. Thank you for always "telling it like it is" and never trying to sugar coat anything.
4. Thank you for your passion, energy and drive for the lost.
5. Thank you that you understand the challenges of being a pastor in a New England church but are never discouraged by those circumstances.
Karen
Perfect timing for this post "Siesta Mama" since October is Pastor Appreciation Month...Gee, I thought we had the best pastor in the whole wide world! LOL! Thanks for the opportunity to share in honoring our Pastor Pat, who was a former Air Force Chaplin.
Your love and devotion to Jesus is evident to all. You risk being transparent in order to indentify with what ails us! Your wisdom and love in heading up a multi-ethnic ministry is testimony to your great heart of love for all people, regardless of race or creed. You constantly "lay down your life" to serve. You've spent many nights on your face in prayer for your flock. You cheer us on to do better and be better for the LORD and to shine for Jesus in a lost and dying world. You and your beautiful wife June make a handsome couple, and you constantly open up your home to feed us, to love us, to laugh with us and cry with us. You are our Pastor, ministering to all ages, from bed babies to the infirmed...at every age and stage of life you are there. How can we say thanks for all you've done? Your love covers us, protects and defends us, and sheilds us from many firey darts. You are our Pastor and we love you dearly and thank God for all you Pastors world wide who have answered The Call to lay down their lives for the sheep.
Lovingly,
Pam H.
Buena Park, CA
Dear Pastor Chuck,
I appreciate you because:
1. You are never afraid to admit your weaknesses. You are transparent and your honesty as a human being is a testimony to God's grace in all of us.
2. You work in a field where there is often little reward for the endless hours you put in.
3. You're always available and you take the time to care about the lives of those in your church.
4. You picked a good wife...and you aren't intimidated by how God uses her.
5. You make us laugh...and often at your own expense :-)
So on the same page!
I wanted to share something if its okay that my Pastor had a vision of 10 yrs ago, that he was reminded of yesterday; The story is hanging on my bedroom wall.
( I am going to paraphrase for space)
The Water Tower Vision:
In his vision there was a water tower that represented God's power and blessing. There was also a turn valve. God revealed to him that it was the " churches" hands trying to turn the valve, and that we were only receiving small drips because God was not and could not shower us with blessings until our hands were off the valve. He said this was about humbling ourselves and getting on our knees before our God. Crying out to God, trusting, and relying on Him...in doing this God would do mighty things in our lives, community and the world.
I remember my Pastor sharing this vision 10 yrs ago, and I remember the tears that streamed down his face, as he was brought to his knees...
My words our too tangled in my heart right now to really express how much I appreciate my Pastor David and his wife Debbie...but I can tell you without a doubt that I know the hope found only in Jesus, because of them:)
xoxo!
angie
I love Pastor Ted, and here's why:
He loves the Word and never departs from it.
He loves all people and tells any who will listen about his Savior.
He tells the worst jokes ever!
I am so grateful God led him to our church.
I grew up in a Pastor's home, and trust me, you can never hear words of thanks and encouragement too much!
Because church was my "family business", I have always felt very appreciative of the Pastors that have come into my life, and supportive of them, along with sympathetic of some of the sacrifices they make for the sheep.
Thank you Lord for Pastors who are humble servants!
Oops! Please forgive me Siesta Mama Beth, I scan read the post on "Dear Pastor" and didn't see the admonition to limit myself to five points. After I submitted I went back and began reading the posts and saw a "trend" and then went back and carefully read your post, and gulp..."MEA CULPA!" So sorry...
Pam H.
B.P. CA.
God is so good and I needed this today.Our church has really been going through a difficult season. Staying together has not been easy. Our pastor has been hanging in there dispite all that has been going on. Yesterday he gave a very difficult message with so much love and care. God is teaching me that sometimes we show our pastors appreciation by obeying God through submitting to them when the way is not c lear-
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so their work will be a joy, not a burden for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews13:17
Dear Mr. Mark,
Thank you, because my husband would not miss church because he loves your sermons. You are funny, you are wise, and you are human.
Pastor Martin,
I appreciate you so much:
1. You teach God's Word -with a passion for us to become literate and not be swayed by popular beliefs.
2. You lead with your heart - caring for each person.
3. You lead by example- living the way you preach and teach.
4. You married an amazing woman of God who has taught and lead the same way you do. You two are truly on one accord.
5. You really could be a comedian if you weren't a pastor. Thanks for helping us to see ourselves with humor.
I love you both.
Oh, I just love the way you talk about your pastor. So sweet.
We moved last summer - and finding a church home has been MUCH harder than I ever dreamed it would be. We are praying that the Lord leads us to the right one - bouncing around visiting churches with a 3 year old and 2 month old isn't easy - I crave a church home! I'm so glad that you enjoy yours! So awesome :)
Sweet Blessings,
Kate :)
Sun. morning our pastor told a story of being back at his home church and was "yes yes yesing" through the sermon as he heard about Hell being described just like it is in the Bible. At the end the priest asked the congregation, "And do you know how to avoid hell?" and (our Pastor) Dennis thought "this is it, this is the key! Right here! Tell them priest, tell them about Jesus" but instead got, "you need to be better church goers.." As I heard him tell of this story my heart broke. An actual lump in my throat. I felt the dissapointment for all of those people. It was RIGHT THERE. Tell them about Jesus, Jesus is the answer, that's ALL you need to believe!
So Pastor Dennis, thank you for your passion, your carisma (sp?), your loyalty to the cross, going strong when others are weak, and inspiring those that may be lost. As you said, "God loves to find his lost sheep."
Let's go out and find them, he needs our help!!
Pastor Mike Mott, Seminole First Baptist Church:
1) You give great messages every Sunday (you are well prepared, full of the Spirit, give biblical truths and personal applications).
2)You genuinely love the church body and personally visit every single one of your members who are in the hospital for one reason or another(which many times affects your family life).
3)You are daily growing in the LORD and not afraid to let your congregation know that you are still a work in progress. That makes you human and touchable to the rest of us--praise God!
4) Your beautiful wife and kids give you such great support and bless many of us with their kindnesss and service.
5) You protect your daily quiet time with God and teach every one of your leadership team to do the same.
Thank you for running the race and never giving up.
Much Love in Christ,
A grateful church member!
My husband happens to be a pastor. He is the missions pastor at our church.
Dear Scotty B.
I think the way you love so unconditionally is amazing.
You are incredible with children. You know when to hug and when to discipline.
You are so great at encouraging teens.
You share the Gospel every chance you get.
Even though you are mad busy you always have time for me!
I love you more than words can say!
Beth,
this is a very good idea. I will wait till I'm stirring Chili and feeling it myself though. It shouldn't take long. I'm always more grateful and nicer when the weather turns cooler and chili season arrives. *grin*
Deirdre
Dear Beth, I think it's so awesome that you are honoring your pastor. Our family visited the church twice while we were in temp. living in Houston. I have to tell you, he was awesome. We attend Second Baptist now. However, my husband, the forever cynic of "big churches" loved him and that is saying a lot. His exact words were "That was awesome." Pastor Gregg was so funny, while including the TRUTH...perfect mix.
Thanks and I hope you have a fabulous week!
Barbara Katy, TX
I love my pastor too....
I blogged about him.
http://queenieslittlekingdom.com/?p=2057
Thank you Miss Beth!
Pastor Stovall, I pray for your family all the time. I thank you for your dedication to bettering the ministry by your example. You and Kerri are always in my thoughts and I wanted you to know. Celebration Church has given me back my freedom in Christ that I gave away long ago to religion. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Jesus is awesome!
After reading the comments, I should at that we LOVE Dr. Young. He cracks me up, again still teaching the TRUTH of God's word. I pity the people that don't have a sense of humor. I'm always up for a good laugh in this crazy world! We go to the West Campus, the church family there has way more personal and group outreach, authenticity than we have experienced!
I have the unbelievable privilege of attending North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA and I proudly claim Andy Stanley as my pastor. I began attending church there in 2001, and Andy introduced me to my Savior in the first message. I remember sitting in complete awe of how directly Andy communicated to my heart, and although I left in a heaping puddle of tears, I knew it was all a "God thing, " and I just had to return to hear more.
Andy,
I love that you can communicate to me on my level....admitting you and your family struggle with some of the the same issues and insecurities that I have. The parallels I can draw between your upbringing and my life are very few, but to know that you still have, and are willing to admit to, "issues" frees me up tremendously! I have come to trust you because of your transparency.
I love that you "get" the heart of my teen age boys. All your years as a youth pastor are so evident when you boldly and bluntly teach them the truth about how to trust the Lord in so many areas that are important to their young lives...including their sexual purity. My kids LOVE to hear your messages, and that's HUGE! I am sooo grateful for His gift to you, Andy!
I love your humility. You frequently uses your hysterical (and very dry) humor in your preaching to remind your congregation of your human-ness, while cautioning us not to only hear and try to do things Andy's way, but GOD'S way.... and to trust that He will guide us in doing so. You also humbly acknowledge the amazing talents of your fabulous staff that help you communicate so effectively to the mass of people that come as "hungry for a Word" as I do each week.
You inspire me to be a better woman, wife and mother...if only because I would like my husband to speak of me as proudly and as flattering as you speak of your wife Sandra in those same roles.
I love that YOU love the fabulous music as much as we do....Our church's music ROCKS, and I love that you think your worship leaders are as awesome as they are! They are too, too, cool, and you know it!
I love my church, and I appreciate my awesome pastor more than words can describe. You have helped heal my family. I pray for blessings over you and your family, and for His complete protection of you in ALL circumstances as you minister to so many!
Leslie
Beth,
This so beats with my own heart. Just late yesterday afternoon I wrote out a card and have it ready to place in the mail this morning to our very own Pastor. They need encouragement and grace, just like we do.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
My Sweet and Holy Pastor Cidni Lombardo:
Things I love about you:
1. You do not compromise the Word, nor our hearts. I love that you WILL smack me if I am acting beneath who you know I am.
2. Your sacrafice. This time with your father being sick, and having to come back and forth between being with him and serving us...It is amazing your beauty and your love for us. I know you would rather be with your dad, but you come.
3. The way you open not only your home, but your heart. I KNOW you love me, and I am so honored.
4. Passion, Passion Passion.
5. You always return my texts....I mean seriously, I know you are busy...but I always get a reply.
Pastor Cindi,
I am more blessed than most because I have been given a true Mother in the Lord. I often think about the Words on the Cross to John, "Here is your mother" I have not heard the Lord tell me this, but I surely hope He means it in my case...I love you! Thank you so much.
what a timely post as my husband packs his bag and we wait for the others to pull up in the driveway to head off to a Pastors conf this morn. may the Lord knock their socks off :)
I feel the same way about my pastor! He's Godly AND hilarious. AND he's my dad :)
Dear Ben -
Boy was I hessitant to start coming to the service you preached instead of your daddy. I'm so not a contemporary worhipper and you with your jeans and metro hair - I just wasn't sure. But God has used you in great, great ways.
1. Thank you for the way you love your family & make them your priority.
2. Thank you for living life, struggles & all, in front of us.
3. Thank you making God your center and for walking always with Jesus.
4. Thank you for leading, even with your dad's big shadow.
5. Thank you for not pulling punches, for saying the hard things, for being real, and for always speaking truth in love.
Bro Chad,
I just wanted you to know how much we appriciate you.
1. For your love and dedication to our youth.
2. For preaching Gods word with excitement and standing up for what you believe in.(Preach on brother!)
3. For loveing and caring about my family.(and putting up with us on our not so good days)
4. You have a wonderful partner and wife who I love so much.
5. For not only being a preacher but a great friend.
Thank you for all you do!
The Wohlers Family
This makes my heart smile!!!! As a pastor's wife it so wonderful when you hear people tell you how much they love your husband and are praying for him and for us and are encouraged by the teaching.
And we love our fearless leader Pastor Shane Womack at Knott Avenue Christian Church in Anaheim, California!
Your pastor was the camp pastor at a Student Life Camp at LA Tech just a few weeks before he started as your pastor. I was a youth sponsor at that camp. CHarlie Hall was the worship leader. I remember thinking how lucky the church was that was getting Pastor Motte.
Brent,
I feel the same way about our pastor. We are getting pastor appreciation started early. Somethings just can't wait. I dearly love and respect our pastor. He is not only my pastor but my boss as well!! Him being my boss makes me only respect him more. He is the genuine article. His love for his wife and children are second only to his love of the Lord. He his awesome. And a true blessing to work for and with. I know that ministry is hard at times but he wants to do God's will above all else. I pray that we all know how blessed we are to have a sheperd like you.
How wonderful when a godly pastor is a witty pastor as well. I should know--we have one. Double blessing.
Yesterday he had the whole church cracked up over one of his comments.
A few months ago he had finished preaching out of Romans , I think, and he had ended it with a"I was---fill in the blanks---but now am ---fill in the blanks". One of the ladies at church who so got that sermon came up and later told him that after hearing that sermon she was going to print a T shirt to wear which said,"Do you want to ask me about my But Now?""
I assume that this is the same Greg Matte from Breakaway at A&M!! How exciting that he is now pastoring a church. I loved the Breakaway ministry and can very vividly remember one of his sermons on purity b/c of the illustration that he used (the green lights when you turn onto Wellborn Rd. from FM 2818).
We are in the process (and have been for about 1.5 yrs) of looking for a pastor for our small church.
Kari
Pastor Cole: (pastoral care at Grace Church)
#1) You are incredibly sensitive and in tune to the needs of the congregation.
#2) You have gone out of your way to help others.
#3) You are a sincere worshipper of the true Jesus Christ.
#4) You get it and your prayers are powerful!
#5) You have been so helpful to those in need and
truly follow the Holy Spirit!
Thank you!
Love in Christ.
Thanks for giving us this oportunity! I am so proud of my senior pastor and those that serve with him on staff. I was especially proud to see my pastor, Tri Robinson of the Boise Vineyard, open the House of Representatives in prayer a week and a half ago. In addition to that, Pastor Tri has been a leader in enviromental stewardship and has piloted the Re:Form Confernece which targets atrocities such as human trafficking. I am proud of the way that Pastor Tri has implemented a 7 year program to groom and transition our associate pastor Trevor Estes into the senior pastorate so that there won't be any 'hiccups' when Pastor Tri moves on into other areas of serving the Lord. But mostly I am proud of my pastor for being the same person out of the pulpit that he is in it.
Thank you Pastor Tri, (and all the other faithful servant of the Lord), who walk what they talk inspite of all the demands laid on them and the ditches prepared for them by the enemy!
God bless you
My pastor is also my husband, so I am glad I get a chance to brag on him here in Siestaville.
My Dear, Darling Pastor,
Honey, you are it and I am so proud of the man of God you are. Every week I wonder to myself, "Is he studying enough? I don't see him looking up the Greek on any of this." Thankfully God has taught me enough to not say those things out loud, but every Sunday you stand up and bring God's Word with such integriy and purity of heart that I am stunned. Thank you for being the same man at church that you are at home. That means so much to me and the kids. You never use us as shameless sermon illustrations and you are HOT!
Pastor Brian from Woodland Park, CO
With much love,
Sarah
Dennis,
1. You are honest about your own sin, while challenging me in mine.
2. You took rambunctious 8-9 year old boys
(including mine) to summer camp for a wk. and they loved you.
3. You are loyal to your church, but reach out to others in the community to bring us all together.
4. You are not afraid to cry during the sermon.
5. You sacrifice alot for your congregation, more than I am sure I even know.
You are amazing!
To my Pastor, Kevin Wood, at The Curch at Trace Crossing in Tupelo, MS:
Kevin -
1. I love that you could've stayed where you were already serving and became the Senior Pastor to a body of 4000, but you came to a body of 40 to start something new with people who were tired of "playing" church. We have all been blessed by your obedience.
2. I love that you would never be comfortable with us being comfortable. You never want us to check church off our list for the week and that be it. You are always finding very creative but practical ways of showing us how to live out our faith on a daily basis.
3. Your passion for the Word and for the lost is so contagious!!!
4. I love your transparency and the freedom that we feel to do the same.
5. I love that you can study all week and have your notes all written out, but then stand up on Sunday morning and say, "God is moving me a different direction as of about 2 minutes ago..." and you forego all that you had planned to be obedient to the Spirit.
Thank you for all that you do to lead us! You'll never know how much we truly appreciate you!!!
The Journey Continues ~
One of the sobering characteristics of leadership is that GOD expects more of leaders than followers!
I was reading this morning about that exact thing!
Obey your spirtual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
HEBREWS 13:17
Our Pastors, Bible leaders and Ministry Family live in a fish bowl ~
BETH ~ Thank you for this opportunity to share my heartfelt appreciation for an amazing Pastor/Pastor's wife ~
WE NEED TO UPLIFT OUR LEADERS IN DAILY PRAYER!!!
I was HUMBLED when my Pastor's wife met with me with a request that I facilitate the women's study as well as being the Christmas guest speaker & Music soloist and the children's Christmas choir while they are taking a 3 month Sabbatical (approved/given to them after 17+ years of ministry in the same church family) When we follow CHRIST JESUS with a minister that leads his flock in Bible Teaching, We will see the GLORY BEFORE US!!!
Pastor Tom,
1. Thank you for your wisdom, witness,integrity, truth, real living within our church family.
~Matthew 5:14-16
2. You bring the Bible to life in the 21st century. I still giggle about the sermon with the hula hoops!!! :)
~ Titus 2:12-13
3. You not only glide at the pulpit, but you glide off of mountains and share your love of flying with the congregation. I was totally amazed when one of the ladies in my bible study shared that on her 80th birthday you took her off the mountain with you!
~Luke 12:48
4. Your outreach touches the lives of infants,children,tween, teens,young adults,college kids, young married's,30 something's, middle aged,old aged and animals !!!
WE ARE BLESSED BY YOUR LOVING AND GIVING PRESENCE!!!
~ Colossians 3:17
Each scripture above is what my heart gives back to Pastor Tom!
I have found that every prayer is successful because it links me with God in a personal
conversation.
I have learned to BE STILL ...
With "Heaven Bound" blessings,
Kim Safina
Pastor Jim-
Knows our names and remembers the people that go with the names.
He visits the members of the church.
He has alot on his plate but is not afraid to delegate if necessary.
Easy to talk to and get along with as a person and a pastor.
Not afraid to stand for what you believe.
Dear Bill and Matt,
I am SO glad that you are not afraid of telling the ladies like it is. I am so grateful that you do not tiptoe around us, afraid to ruffle our feathers. I am so grateful that you speak truth to us, regardless of how you may fear we will react or respond to it. Since coming to our church, I have grown. I have not only received sound Biblical knowledge, but also real life application. Your dedication to the mission of our church, to equipping us to become mature followers of Christ, has impacted me tremendously. Before coming to Grace, I did not think I could ever love Christ more, but I do. Thank you.
Darren Wigington
Church of the Cove
Townsend, Tennessee
Those 5 things I love about you:
1) You are so careful to always prepare to share God's word with your congregation, having allowed the Lord to take you through it first. (You get the tree, we get the branches.)
2) You worship. We, your flock, are able to see you truly turn to the Father in worship rather than reviewing your notes or preparing your words for when you take the platform. Your personal, private time with the Lord is evident.
3) You are fun and creative. You never take yourself so seriously that you can't laugh about a situation. You always look for the best ways for those hearing you to be able to connect the Word to their life. I will never, ever forget your "speaking in thongs" moment.
4) You hate confrontation with a passion, yet because you know that festering wounds can kill, you confront. Thank you for being willing to do the uncomfortable in order to do the necessary and glorify God.
5) You are married to the most amazing pastor's wife. You're both real and honest and fallible. You let me be those, too. You're both an example of love and grace.
I'm fortunate to not only be a member of the church where you pastor, but to also serve beside you on staff. I'm grateful that God has given me that opportunity.
Hmm, my church is in a time of transition so this appreciation of a former senior pastor and of current ones filling the gap for the time-being.
To Pastor Mark (former pastor):
1) Thank you for showing your love for the Word of God through your preaching and your life. As a teenager your passion for the Word inspired my own.
2) You loved your wife and kids deeply and everyone knew it. You modelled a loving family to many.
3) You made everyone feel welcome around you, from little children to the seniors in the church.
4) You were authentic in your worship. I never felt like you thought the preaching was the only important part of the service. You were fully engaged in all of the service.
5) You weren't afraid to tackle the challenging passages of Scripture or to say the hard things when needed.
Now, to the current ones - to Pastors Scott, Jeff, Gary, Laurie, Nancy, Brian, Joel, & Tanya:
1) All of you love God and desire to follow and serve Him as you serve us in this time of transition without a senior pastor. This shines through in all that you do.
2) Some of you have willingly stepped up to fill some "incredibly big shoes" in preaching right now. And you are doing an amazing job in bringing us the Word and being authentic to who you are as you do, not trying to copy the last guy.
3) You're not afraid to say the hard things and "step on our toes" when we need it.
4) You love and are committed to your familes. That example is missing in so many places in our world, so thank you for unashamedly modelling that.
5) You are involved in the community around us. You haven't gotten so caught up in the "church world" that you're missing the lost people around you. Thanks you for making time to be involved in community sports and activities.
the pastor i'd like to mention is my brother. he's not MY pastor, but he has been the shepherd of a flock in memphis for 15 years and has stayed faithful and obedient to the call God has placed on his life even though the fruit appears to be small by outward appearances.
This is a bit different... The pastor that I want to thank and recognize is a leader in his own home church. Randy Hiatt in Florence, SC. YOU are an awesome pastor for so many reasons. 1 You love God 2. You love God 3. You love God.
You take the time to talk to me. You listen and that is so valuable. You seem to know what needs to be said to me before I even tell you whats wrong. You have the most awesome wife in the world.
I am so very blessed to have you both in my life.
Thank You Beth for allowing me to tell the world what an awesome Pastor Randy Hiatt is.
God Bless, CINDY in HIGH POINT, NC
I have been thinking the same things about my pastor for several weeks. Every sermon makes me thank God all the more for the honor of sitting under him in his congregation. I feel so blessed of the Lord to be under his teaching. I did write my Pastor and tell him so three weeks ago, I gushed like a school girl and probably didn't make much sense, and have had the desire to do the same each week since - but I have restrained myself! Instead I offer my thanksgiving to my Lord at home and I know He hears my heart, despite my lack of elaborate speech. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell you all how blessed I am!
Dear Pastor Dan Franklin,
Thank you for the time you put into preparing your sermon it shows.
I know our church is going though an awkward time but with young men like you coming up in the ranks we will be fine.
Liz H
I recently left the church I have belonged to for years. I could not longer deal with hyper-calvinism being taught. I've only been at our new church for a few months, but I so appreciate Brian Smith.
1. He has a true heart for Christ and a love for the lost that he passes onto us.
2. I leave ready to serve God, not feeling condemned. I know that I am not worthy of God's love and mercy, but He gives it anyway.
3. I receive a message for not just the week ahead, but for my life ahead.
4. He steps on my toes from time to time.
5. I am just down right impressed how he gives the entire message without ever using notes or an outline. Just amazed at that every Sunday morning!!
Thanks, Pastor Brian.
We are currently without a pastor as our shepherd passed away suddenly on March 15th of this year. My husband joined the staff team of our church only five months before, so although we didn't know him long, we loved him.
Pastor Dick loved his flock.
Pastor Dick loved his family.
Pastor Dick loved his Bible.
Pastor Dick LOVED his Savior!
and Pastor Dick loved introducing the world to Jesus!
Dr. Roy Edgemon is now leading us as God directs us to our new shepherd and we are so blessed to have such a Godly man teaching us. He and AnnaMarie are amazing examples of Christian servants using everyday to the fullest.
God is good! All the time.
All the time. God is good!
I first heard Gregg Matte at Texas A&M when my son was a student there. I appreciate him so much for the time he spent there serving the Lord by serving college students. October is Clergy Appreciation Month, so we get to do this again in a few days!!
Pastor Michael -
Thanks for:
1. Your courage to step out in faith, seek God's will, and try something new. Especially when you really didn't know if anyone would follow.
2. Your honesty - blunt at times but never disrespectful.
3. Your sense of fun and ability to let go and relax.
4. Your grasp of reality - recognizing sometimes we have to face facts and be real, and sometimes it hurts.
5. Being such a wonderful shepherd - so concerned for your sheep. And we are such sheep! Bless you for your vision for us and your patience.
pastor harvey drake and
his precious wife dr. andrea drake
emerald city bible fellowship
seattle, washington
pastor harvey,
it has been on my heart for literally weeks...probably months...to write and tell you how much i give thanks to God for you and andrea. i could list so many reasons why, but will list five here:
1. because you are living the real thing. authentically. your son was shot in a drive-by shooting this year, your wife suffered an aneurism, and you've endured countless other painful things, and you've allowed our body to share in the tears with you, to cry out to God with you, and in doing so you have been a WITNESS to Jesus Christ. i will never forget the day you stood in the front of the church and could barely speak because tears were running down your cheeks, and when you could finally speak you said, "may we be a people who TRUST God...no matter WHAT. no matter what. may we not get angry at God when it hurts. may we just be honest and tell him that life hurts, but let us be a people who TRUST HIM." i still have tears thinking about that moment, because i remember thinking, "if harvey and andrea can say this in the midst of all they're dealing with, then who am i not to trust you, Father?" you are the real deal, and i thank God for that.
2. thank you for your commitment to and love for the Word of God.
3. thank you for truly seeking God so diligently in your own life. thank you for being so disciplined. thank you for exhorting us to "press in, saints. press in." thank you for your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
4. thank you for speaking the truth boldly and with love. i so respect you for this.
5. thank you to you and andrea (whom i love and respect equally as much as you) for your obedience to the call of God on your lives. it is a difficult thing to lead a multi-racial church and to navigate the issues that come along with that...and it would be impossible without Jesus. but you lead us with vision, with wisdom, with grace and humility, and it is a testimony to the watching community and world.
thank you...with profound respect and deep love,
lauren
To Pastor Kevin at Calvary Church in P.O., WA
1) The gospel is the most important thing to you and it shows
2) I love that you weep when you speak of Jesus and what He did on the cross for us. It makes me cry, too!
3) You boldly warn your flock against false doctrine and false teachers so we will not be swayed.
4) You are so smart! I'm amazed by all you know!!
5) I love when you talk about your family and get choked up. You love them so much and it shows.
Beth this come at a very difficult time in our church, but so needed so here are my five:
Roger I am thankful for
1. Your desire to equip the believers
2. Your love for the lost to reach them for Christ
3. For the things you do behind the scenes
4. For you willingness to mentor our youth/boys
5. For standing firm in Christ.
Amen
Pastor Rick Countryman (Big Valley Grace Community Church, Modesto Ca.)
Dear Pastor Rick,
1. Thank you for being such an honest and vulnerable man. I love that you cry as easily as you laugh.
2. I love that you utilize humor in all of your sermons. You make me laugh like none other!
3. Your love for Jesus and His body is encouragaing. You truly and unequivocally seek to love like Jesus did.
4. I love that you refer to our congregation as "beloved". And I love that you have us seek the throne of grace on our knees. I've not gone to my knees in church since being raised in the Catholic Church and I love it!
5. You seek to honor your wife and family and you work in coordination with staff and elders in the church. Thank you for setting such a great example of loving and honoring your family and working with others for the glory of God.
Bethany
Since March 8, 2009 my Pastor (Fred Winters) has been in Heaven.
I loved his faithfulness to the Word. His kindness to everyone he met. His ability to remember everyones name. And just his overall silliness and sense of humor.
Somewhere, God is preparing another to be our pastor and lead us into the future, but Fred will always be in our hearts and is missed VERY much.
I choose to write to both of my pastors. I couldn't choose just one because they complment each other so well. I did make a copy and will put it in their inbox at the church with a gift card, since October is Pastor Appericaiton Month.
Dear Pastor Mike
Here are the top 5 things, in no particular order, that we really like about you.
2.You have an incredible ability to teach the knowledge you possess. My grandfather was a brilliant man who he was never able to convey his knowledge to anyone. It was often hard to talk to him about anything because he would speak about things in such mechanical terms that he would confuse the listener even more then before they asked the question. You are the opposite of that. You are a brilliant man that can take a confusing topic and use terms that someone with no prior knowledge would understand. Not only are you able to explain your knowledge you are approachable, never making someone feel bad because they don’t understand. Thank you!
3.Your Humility. You on several occasions you have asked us as a congregation to not take you at your word and look it up for ourselves to make sure the Bible says the particular information. I’m sure that this isn’t the easiest thing for you to do; it isn’t an easy thing for anyone to do. While I’m sure that there are other examples, that is the only one I can come up with. Thank you!
4.We like the fact that we can tell you love your wife. Whether you are asking me to “find your beautiful blond” or the examples you use in your lessons, the love you have for Cya just radiates through you. Thank you!
5.Your ability to take a stand and stick with it. The one example that comes to mind right away is not marrying a couple that are living together. When the world tells us it’s ok and the Word of God says “no” you stand on the side of the Word of God. That is one quality that is hard to find. Thank you!
Dear Pastor Dave
Here are the top 5 things, in no particular order, that we really like about you.
1.We love your heart for the unsaved. Whether you are in and around Cadillac or when you have left for your trips to India, your heart is always going to the unsaved. I will never forget you standing before the congregation with tears in your eyes and saying that you would crawl on your hand and knees over broken glass if it would bring one more person to Jesus Christ. Thank you!
!
3.You have the ability to remember faces, names, and background stories. The thing that makes this trait so special is you see hundred of faces every week and you remember. Whether you are preaching on Sunday, working at the Sheppard’s Table or meeting a new face on the many adventures you go on this trait leave people feeling important, welcomed and loved. Thank you!
4.We can see that you are committed to your flock, almost to a fault. You see people at some of the best and worst times of their lives and when asked, you show up. We feel that if we had to call you at home at 3 am with a family emergency you would get up and be with us no questions asked. I can’t even imagine how many dinners you have eaten cold or left in the middle of because of this. Thank you!
5.We really like the fact you are real and share your struggles. There are so many examples that I could name. One time you admitted that you struggled with bulimia I wonder how many lives were changed because of that announcement. I wonder how many people finally had the courage to admit that for themselves after you talked about it. Thank you!
this is very sweet of you! i am sure he will appreciate it, if he reads your blog! Pastors need to hear our appreciation, they usually only get the negative feedback, and honestly I could not deal with that day in and day out.
I don't know my pastor well yet as we've been in a new church for a few months, but I love that Pastor Kim doesn't seem to be afraid to tackle the difficult subjects and also loves to worship. He's another pastor that fully participates in worship.
This is a prayer request...
Please pray for my family today. We are in the middle of a very difficult situation. Today at 2 o'clock (Central Standard Time) we have a meeting and I ask for prayer coverage especially during this time. Thank you sisters and prayer warriors.
julie
Pastor J Mark Johns (Christ Central Alachua, Florida):
“Thank you” is such a tiny phrase in comparison to the gratitude and love we feel for you. We followed you thirty miles from home when you took a new pastorate. Your leadership and love for the gospel is so compelling that we have no problem driving 45 minutes to sit under your ministry. Besides all that, God told us to go.
You could pastor any megachurch in this country with a huge salary and a palatial home. But you continue to follow God’s voice instead of man’s expectations. And He will bless that. Abundantly, more than you can ever ask or think.
You are relevant. You are always looking for ways to reach out to all generations and cultures – following Paul’s example of I Corinthians 9:22 “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” Your love for people and their never-dying souls is evident and contagious.
You are flawed – just like me – and you have no problem letting everyone know that. There is not a holier-than-thou bone in you. You let us know that you are right here in the trenches with us – striving every day to be more like Christ. Some days succeeding. Some days – not so much. You challenge me. Your transparency is a far greater lesson than holding forth as if you already have all the answers.
Your passion for Christ is all over you like a swarm of honey bees. Intense, alive, buzzing and seeking.
You love your wife more than life. And you make no bones about it. You honor her as Christ honors His Bride. She is truly blessed.
And you even persuade me that it's ok to bow-hunt deer. For the jerky.
Kim
My pastor is also my Father-in-law. His name is Sammy Taylor and our church is Mountain View Baptist Church in Phil Campbell, AL. He has been a pastor their for 32 years, and that was his first church to pastor! He is absolutely amazing, and so full of life. I have the privelege of knowing Him not only just as my pastor, but also personally, as I am part of his family. Because of that I can truly say he is the same man behind that pulpit as he is at home. I never knew how hard pastors really do work and how much struggles they face almost daily until I became part of this family. I deeply respect my father-in-law very much, He's not just been my pastor, but also a mentor to me.
Thanks Beth, I love this post!
My pastor just celebrated his 60th birthday and over 40 years in ministry and 20 years as my pastor. My husband and I both took the opportunity to write a letter of sincere thanks to him but can't be said enough. Even though our church is large and we have many "pastors" every one knows who you mean when you just say "Pastor" So here is why I love Pastor Blackburn @ Victory Church.
1. You always show up with a fresh message from God with great stories about Walmart and McDonalds.
2. You have an amazing gift to love and forgive people. You try and see them for what they can be not how they are currently acting.
3. I have never seen anyone better in crisis. Most people run or avoid it you address it head on and offer strength to those in it. Thanks for carrying me through a few.
4. You are honest and real about your faults.
5. You have "thrived" and not just survived through 40 years in ministry...enough said!
The more involved in ministry that I become I have decided that it is just stinkin hard and I have a greater admiration to all those who do it well.
Oh my soul, I could go on and on about how much I love my pastor!
Pastor Steve,
1. thank you so much for leading a church who I can literally say saved my life. right before I was heading down the path to becoming an idiot teenager your sermons changed my life. I love that you preach on things that other pastors won't.
2. Thank you for having me in your home all the time and treating me like one of your own. Your family is my family.
3. Thank you for the big black frizzy wig you wore to the fall festival my senior year because sometimes I still think about that when I'm upset about something and it NEVER fails to make me laugh and think about little weird things that you do.
4. Thank you for letting me cry and tell you how secretly scared I was to move to Nevada, away from everything I had ever known and loved so much. You always make time for me even though you are the busiest person that I know!
5. Thank you and Mrs. Beverly for praying over me each time I left the States for Missions last year and when I left for Las Vegas in July. your e-mails/ phone calls and prayers mean so much.
I just love you too much!
My husband is my Pastor and I appreciate Him so much!! (I was going to start out by saying "I sleep with my Pastor!") but I didn't think my comment would get approved! :)
There are many reasons why I appreciate my Pastor/Husband, Mark Cline, but here are the top 5 for this week:
1. His sense of humor!
2. His ability to do 3 funerals in the last 4 weeks and also preach a great sermon every Sunday.
3. His love for the Lord and for his family.
4. His great looks (okay, maybe that should be #1) LOL
5. The way he likes Beth Moore's teaching as much as I do. He just quoted Beth in this past Sunday's sermon!!
Thanks,
Janet
I don't have a current home church for the moment but I would like to show my appreciation for my former pastor.
Pastor Allen Jackson,
1. Your love for God and the Body of Christ is so evident. The people in your congregation are so blessed to have you as their pastor. You love them and they love you. It shows. It's real.
2. I enjoyed your sense of humor. I like how you crack yourself up and laugh at yourself. I love to laugh and did so many times, even at the jokes no one seemed to laugh at. lol
3. It amazes me the time you take to fly to Israel and work there along with your sweet parents who live there and I know you won't mind if I brag on your sweet and godly parents. Y'all are great examples of Christ. I also thank you for the times you have flown back and preached the next day when I know you wanted to stay home and rest.
4. Your sense of reaching out to the community is contagious. I love how you reach out to the local college sports teams and hold Easter services on the college campus to accomodate the community. It doesn't matter how much or how many hours it takes to move everything from our church to the college campus. You do it with joy in your heart and a smile on your face.
5. Your heart for prayer and the men's ministry. I will never forget the men's event 2 years ago. Your love for Christ and His Word is contagious to them. You made an impact on my two sons and my brother. Thank you!!!
Just in time - October is Pastor Appreciation Month!
I go to a really small church, about 20 core families. And I know my pastor just about as well as any of the parishoners. Andy is a great man, and I thank God for sending him to us.
My pastor is also my daddy!
So, the #1 thing I love about him is that he is a wonderful father. I thank God for having a dad who saw to it that I was in church and taught about God all my life and he's the only Pastor I've ever had.
I'm almost 50 years old and he's always been my pastor. How often does a daughter get that blessing?
Oh, I'm thankful and never take it for granted.
#2 He has been faithful to the call of God for over 50 years.
He has been at the same church for over 40 years....almost unheard of.
#3 I was born on a Sunday and he was at church to preach after my birth. He has missed Sunday morning church maybe four times that I can recall, and a few of those were when he was in the Holy Land.
#4. He LOVES to study the Word.
I just overheard him tell someone how much he loves studying and learning new things about the Bible. He digs deep, like you Beth. :)
5. He is the most giving man ever.
I will always remember him saying about someone in need...."It's only by the grace of God that isn't me."
(There's not supposed to be a #6....but I have to add this: I also think very highly of his wife....my mom. What a servant. She's 78 and still works full time in our church Christian school!!)
God bless all pastors out there!
We love and appreciate you all.
Dear Ken Werlein (Faithbridge, Spring, TX),
1. I love that you take time to pray for direction and thank you for picking such brave topics to tackle this year. God had been tugging my heart about those things, too.
2. Thanks for saying "assinine" about a certain parenting practice of "letting the child decide what religion they'll pick and not trying to influence them either way." Amen.
3. Your wife is so kind and warm and does a fabulous job being real in her mom to mom ministry.
4. Thanks for being real, too.
5. Thanks for persevering through the medical thorn in your side which you told us about last year. Can't imagine trying to do what you do while in pain.
-Amy
My Husband Is My Pastor: Sammy Hodges Kimberly UMC, AL
I appreciate that you don't neglect to minister to me and pray for me when I need it.
You weren't afraid to be "Elijah", following a 30 year pastor, because you know even his shoes cannot fill the footprint of Jesus.
Even when it's inconvenient, even when it's a burden, especially when it's a sacrifice, you minister to people.
You stubbornly love the hard and difficult.
My dear precious pastors of Kernersville Wesleyan
Pastor Phil, thank you for being real. Your compassion for depression means much and your sermons are right on target always. sometimes even uncomfortably so. Pastor Don, you have been a support since day 1. you are the best worship, missions, choir anywhere!! Pastor Jared and Pastor Emily, you are young but on fire and on the right path. We at KWC are blessed to have you all!
Beth...I put a blog up on my experience in handing out shoes for Samaritan's purse...you don't have to publish this comment but if you would like to read about what God did, please visit my blog!
www.daybydayforjesus.blogspot.com
It is amazing to see His power at work in the world...I am so blessed to have been involved!
God bless you!
To Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor of The Village Church, Highland Village, Tx
We love and appreciate you for so many reasons but here are a few:
1. You preach the Truth from the Word...maybe not what we WANT to hear, but what we NEED to hear.
2. You have taught us that it's "okay not to be okay."
3. You have taught us what it means to live missionally and open handed. We are learning that by watching you!
4. You are not perfect but flawed.
5. You love your wife as Christ would.
We love you!
Coach and Glo
FOR BETH,
Oh, Miss Beth.
You really did it tonight! I sat in your Bible Study and had Holy Ghost Bumps racing up and down my arms and back all night. That was the MOST POWERFUL WORD I have ever heard spoken. So much to take in for one evening. I will be reading and re-reading my notes all week trying to break them down and let them sink in to the marrow of my being and soul.
I am just done and spent. I was jumping for joy and at the same time exhausted. I can only imagine what teaching a lesson like that must do to you. I walked out to my car tonight praising God with one breath and praying for you the next.
WOW WOW WOW!! So much to take in. I just wanted to stay and soak tonight. I didn't even want to leave the sanctuary.
Can you even imagine HIM, the HOLY ONE, the ANCIENT of DAYS even desiring a relationship with me?!?! I am slain! Just done! Spent. That is the great mystery of the faith to me.
Oh how I praise HIM and exhalt HIS HOLY NAME!! Thank you, GOD, for choosing ME!!!
Beth, thank you for teaching/preaching with such unction and conviction, such passion and compassion, such LOVE for HIS MAJESTY!!!
Rest well, Dear Siesta and Friend.
Rest well.
You are dearly loved and blanketed in prayer.
I love all our Pastors... they are
humble
love the Lord
real/transparent
genuine
gracious
great shepherds
smart
funny
love worship
they care- have great hearts!
I am grateful! : )
I
Tears are falling as I read your endearing words of appreciation, sweet siestas. Being a pastor and a pastor's wife can indeed be a lonely journey. Please don't just type your words, but speak them or write them in a note to your pastor ... and include his wife. Their hearts would be touched forever, and they will know that in you ... they have a true friend. They need friends!
I am ... eternally grateful for my pastor/husband. Thank you, God!
Dear Siesta Mama!
Here are five things I really like about you......
1. Your love and passion for the Word of God. He is so using it to fuel my own hunger for His Word.
2. Your honesty-nothing speaks to people more than that.
3. Your "humanness". I love to hear about regular life we all go through and how God's grace is sufficient to carry us if we will let it.
4. Your love of all of us siestas.
So many of us do not have spirtitual mama's and I am soooo grateful God is using you as one of mine.
5. Your integrity. I am always assured of the fact that what you bring is TRUTH. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Not all of God's lessons to us are easy but coming from you helps me to realize they all come out of a place of love.
I am also extremely grateful for your wonderful girls. Together you all add a richness to my life I will be eternally grateful for.... Katie B.
This has nothing to do with your lasted blog , which I enjoyed the other day....
Isaih 55 (yes the whole cotton picken chapter)
God is so powerful yall. His power is testified in these verses but also has been amplified for me personally just now with regard to this passage. I am planning on using this passage for the rest of my Beth Moore M&M's, but I also felt lead to email it to a dear friend of mine who I feel God is trying to reconcile Himself with, and post it on my blog. Well , anyway, when I tried to email it to them and just now when posting it on my blog... I was going to add my own coomments... right? God would not let me, hence when i'm explaining all this. Don't get me wrong, please, I'm not offended, just awestruck.
Dear gracious Father, I know Your word is enough and as verse 11 from this passage proclaims, it will do the work You sent it to do. I lift who is on my heart up to You this very second, Lord be the undiniable Great I AM, be Who they need for You to be, so they will turn their heart to You everlastingly. And Master, help me too to follow You and You alone to do Your work ...not returning to You in heaven until I have completed it. All glory and honor to You my King in Jesus name -amen.
My Pastor, I praise GOD for him. For stepping out on faith, for believing the CAll on his life...For sharing funny, embarrassing stories about himself, so we don't feel alone....for crying when he is moved by the LORD...and for showing men-you can be a cowboy, you can be rough, you can still hang with the guys and STILL serve the LORD & LOVE him with all your heart....
BAR NONE has been blessed by the LORD with this man....maybe for only a season, but we are thankful...GOD IS GOOD!
Dear Pastor Doug Posey of Living Oaks Community Church in Newbury Park, CA
The 5 things that I appreciate about my Pastor are:
1. Thank you for the obvious preparation you put into every message & e-devotion. You consistently inspire, instruct, challenge and encourage us week after week.
2. Thank you that you are uncompromising! You are true to the Bible and uncompromising in your defense of the Word. While you are aware of culture and other views you are unapologetic in teaching us Truth.
3. I appreciate that you don’t give lip service to a biblical world view but actually incorporate it into the LOCC culture.
4. Thank you for being a true Shepherd who carefully watches over the flock. You’re anointed to teach but you are also a really good Pastor/Shepherd. I love the blessing you speak over us before departing and when you stand by the door ready with a warm smile, kind word and handshake. As a result of your leadership the culture at LOCC is warm, caring, friendly and inviting.
5. Thank you for being a gentle giant of a man with a servant heart. With precision you balance strength, courage of your convictions, wisdom, intellect, leadership & unwavering character with great humility. Whether midweek or Sunday you graciously share the platform with other subject matter experts without a hint of ego or posturing which is an admirable and rare quality. Initially I was impressed when LOCC opened theirs doors to me in 2006 to lead a women’s bible study at your facility. I remain in awe at the thought despite being a huge answer to prayer. This was a contributing factor when I knew God was leading me to a new church home. While there are no perfect churches the teaching of the pure Word & humility in the leadership ranks very high in my book. IMHO
Heartfelt thanks for the many sacrifices that you and your wonderful family make to LOCC. I consider it an honor & privilege to call LOCC my church home.
Siesta Maddy
Moorpark, CA
can i please just echo everything that you just said about Gregg Matte? I am privileged to work for an incredible ministry that ministers to students all over the nation. Prior to joining your church, he spoke at many of our events. He was always my favorite to work with for so many reasons. You named a few. Just a man of just high integrity...not placing him on a pedestal but truly thanking the Lord for his heart and his passion for communicating God's Word clearly to ALL ages. He is just a joy to work with and a joy to be around. Thanks for articulating more for me. He came off the road in order to fully devote himself to his calling at the church. Glad you enjoy him. We miss him! :)
To Pastor Luke,
A few things I love about you..
1. You are the exact same person, day in, day out. No inconsistencies between what you profess and what you ARE.
2. You are an excellent father who does not allow false expectations from people cloud your childrens' lives. They absolutely know they are your number one priority outside of God and your wife.
3. You are an excellent husband who has given your wife wings to both support you and follow her own call.
4. You are hot.
5. You are MY HUSBAND.
I am one blessed woman. Praise you, Lord, for so great a gift...Knowing I will never have to walk this world unprotected by this man who loves me like you love your Bride is more than I can take in...
Love,
Lisa
I love how you use the position of leadership God has granted you to inspire the rest of us on to love and good deeds, Ms. Beth. Thanks for being such a great example and transparant enough to let us peek in on your life. I am reminded through your post that no matter what sphere of influence God has placed me in I can use it to spur others on to good things. You set the bar high but I am reaching!
I'm gonna need to go write my pastor now too! What a great idea!
You have a blessing of a pastor, Spiritual Mom Beth!!!:) I love my paster dearly too:) Five things I appreciate my pastor for:
1)He strives to bring us "meat" from the Word every Sunday-doctrinal truths to stand on and live out.
2)He wants revival for our nation and church so badly, he'll pray for it for the rest of his days.
3)He is completely mission-minded, and wants our church to be mission-minded.
4)He has been a constant example of God's faithfulness given to a person for the long haul, even when he went through such a hard time with his family.
5)He is all about God's glory.
Thank You, Lord, for my pastor!:)
katiegfromtennessee
Brother Luke,
Just wanted to tell you how much we appreciate you.
1. You teach the Word! I love that you don't tickle our ears with feel-good sermons! You take it serious that you will be held accountable for what you have taught when you are before His Mighty throne!
2. You have an awesome family who our whole community loves!
3. I like how you say "warsh". "We are "warshed" in the blood." ha :)
4. You are married to the most awesomemest (is that a word?) preacher's wife I have ever known! It is wonderful to see how you encourage her in women's ministry.
5. The free cheese dip at Mi Casita this coming Sunday.......
I am thankful for Pastor Bill.
I really appreciate him. He is also my brother in law so his wife is very special to me too:)
He is the real deal.
Brings out the truth in Gods Word.
Has a heart for worship.
Leaves you with a challenge and encouragement to go out and face the world.
Loves his flock he is called to shepherd.
Thanks for this opportunity to share.
Awwwww, Brooke. You made me cry. I hate it when you do that..:))))
I love you my friend!!!
Lisa
p.s. Does he really say 'warsh'?? I never noticed. What does that say about me?? lolol
Oh Mrs. Beth... Mama Beth. My new staff position in the church - well barely new now after a couple of months, but anyway has kept me from logging in as much as I would like to...
Can I participate? Oh Pretty Please...
I am going to give a shout out to some pretty awesome Pastors at our church who just have so blessed myself and this family of ours since coming to thriving Gateway Church in Southlake, TX two years ago.
Rather than five reasons - I'm going to reach out to five pastors if that is all right!
First - Pastor Robert Morris
He is such a gifted speaker and teacher - but more than that his heart to serve God and the church with excellence and sincerity blesses my heart. Thanks for focusing on casting the vision and feeding the sheep. BAAA!
Second - Pastor Tom Lane
Pastor Robert says everyone needs a Tom Lane and well... As our Sr. Executive Pastor we are so blessed. You are so warm and sincere... So refreshing. I loved attending the Admin. meeting a couple of weeks ago. You sincerely care about the staff and the ministry they attend to at Gateway and that blesses my heart.
Pastor Bob... Oh MY Goodness. Pastor Bob is someone I consider to be my boss, my pastor and, well, my friend. He genuinely cares about the people he oversees and He takes the time to be interested not just in what they are doing but what they have to offer and what is going on in their lives as well. If you haven't read his blog... www.bobhamp.com (I hope that is okay.)
Pastor Linda Godsey - She is like my grandmother who isn't. I love her so. She ministers to me and encourages me in special ways and she challenges me, too. I'm just blessed to know her is all.
Pastor Angie Wyatt - We had a genuine Texas showdown over our ideas of "grief ministry" in June of last year. But she won... sort of - we both did. She helped me get my head around Freedom Ministry, she helped me define my passion as freedom, healing and pastoral care and she also walked me through one of the more difficult seasons of my life earlier this year. And then... Well, she hired me to be her assistant. She believes in me and those she disciples and brings up in ministry. She has a heart and a getter' done attitude that would never let on she is from CALIFORNIA. But she is. I love her... And I'm so blessed to be a part of this journey with her. We spoke on the phone just this afternoon and laughed out loud about the same thing... And we were the only ones laughing in truth.
And for those I didn't mention - PS. Melissa, Sandy, Debbie and Arnita... You all have loved, blessed and encouraged me in various ways and beyond measure. Sorry - it's been so long since I have been on the words just overflowed. Thanks for sharing. I love your Pastor Gregg, too. I heard him speak when he was still serving A & M Students... Awesome! God is so Awesome!
Thanks for asking.
October is pastor appreciation month... perfect timing to send gratitude to those who shepherd us!
During a transition from being a mother & wife to a widow now raising three small children, I had the blessing of hearing the bible from Pastor Steven Rexroat of Sacramento, CA in 1972-He was our Sunday school teacher as well as being on staff at Bethel Temple
(now Capital Christian Center).
He brought the studies to life with humor,God's instructions on life and how to cope with all sorts of things we face as christians.
He showed a deep love for his wife and family. He showed us the human side of ministry and that we should always pray for our leaders in church and within our government.
He was a good teacher and could laugh at himself if he got off track while trying to bring home a point to us.
Although it has been many, many years since those Sunday School days I will always appreciate how he made us face our fears and grow our gifts.
Thank you Pastor Rexroat for all the things you taught us about the joy of Christ living.
Louise Thompson Denton
Dear Pastor Randy at Lone Star Cowboy Church,
1. I love how you love people. I have never met someone who can love people through their flaws like this man and his wife.
2. I love how real you are. It was best put by a friend when she first started coming to our church: "they just get up on stage and say "BLAH" here is our life, we aren't perfect, but we have God!" lol
3. You always strive to try new things and allow innovative and creative ideas!
4. You and Darla downright pamper your staff! (and I speak from experience - my husband and I ARE staff) You always make sure we enjoy working here and get us spa days just when we need it! hehe
5. That you are a true blue cowboy!! And Darla that you understand grace and mercy better that anyone I know!
I'm so thankful to be under you both and glean from your wisdom. LOVE YOU BOTH!!
Ivy Morrison
Beth,
I have never left a comment on this blog, but I have to tell you in my A&M days, Greg and Kelly lived down the street from us. My roomies and I were a little remiss in mowing our lawn and one day we came home to find it mowed...by our sweet neighbor Greg. Who, I'm sure had many more important things to do, but chose to serve us anyway. Tell Kelly that Kristi (Johnson) Horton says HI:)
What an awesome post!
I strive to be a pastor worthy of a note of thanks like that!
Thank you for inspiring me to push forward!
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