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Dear Pastor, Two Words You Must Hear Today

by | 100 comments

Dear Pastor, Two Words You Must Hear Today

Dear Pastor,

Most people have no idea how much you do.

How much you give.

How much you sacrifice.

When it came to professions, you didn’t select an easy one. Perhaps for you, shepherding God’s people is more of a calling than a career.

As many times as you’ve been tempted to quit, the Spirit you won’t allow.

Like shepherding, the terrain can be rough. Dry. Hot. Isolating. A steep uphill trek where your feet slip. The trail disappears. The well isn’t around the next corner. You wonder if you’ve lost your way—not to mention all the sheep trailing behind you.

Then you catch a glimpse of the power and presence and God again.

 

The moments when heaven touches earth in worship.

The stories of transformation that defy explanation.

The healing that baffles every doctor.

The stray soul that wanders into your congregation and begins flourishing in the most jaw dropping ways.

The word from God that carries you another day, another sermon, another year.

Your work is filled with delight and wonder and heartbreak and pain and so much more. You learn to celebrate peoples’ grandest moments and mourn their greatest losses. You serve as a spiritual Sherpa helping people journey closer to God.

All too often we forget to say thank you. To express our profound appreciation. For you. For your gifts. For your holy tenacity. For running your lane well. For never giving up. For drawing us closer to Jesus. For living out the Gospel before eye ours. For challenging us to cruciformity.

Today, we say thank you. Thank you for all you’ve done for the church.

Much love,
Margaret and a whole lot of friends

In the comment space below, provide a shout out of thanks to your pastor. We will select three to win Starbucks gift cards in appreciation.

*Original Photo Source

 

100 Comments

  1. Brandi Luiz
    Brandi Luiz on October 12, 2015 at 6:31 am

    Pastor Jon Nutter. He continues to seek and do the will of God, despite a mass exodus of the congregation, in which some formed a petition against him.
    Not because he was doing something unbiblical or wrong, but simply because they didn’t like him.
    So sad for believers to act this way
    He has grown,learned, and continued to fight for the Lord.
    In the mass shooting at the beginning of the month, when he first heard, he was in Starbucks. He formed a prayer circle right there. He then was one of the dozen pastors that waited with family at the fairgrounds to pick up their loved ones, hoping their child was coming on the bus
    He deserves a shout out!

  2. Jennifer Buch
    Jennifer Buch on October 12, 2015 at 6:56 am

    Pastor Ryan, Thank you for preparing a vision for our church. May we catch the vision that the Lord is our Banner and everything we do is for Him.

  3. Sue Henry
    Sue Henry on October 12, 2015 at 11:10 am

    Giving a shout out to Pastor Bob Henry. Thank you so much for standing with God’s people through the storms continually showing us Jesus and His love. You shine His light in everything you do! God bless you!

  4. Sara
    Sara on October 12, 2015 at 11:18 am

    Thank you to Pastor Rick for humbly preaching the Word of God and sacrificially loving the flock that God has given him.
    Thanks also to Pastor Steve for faithfully serving, encouraging, teaching and counseling the church and community.

  5. Jeannie
    Jeannie on October 12, 2015 at 11:26 am

    Here’s a shout-out to Pastor Mark. He makes us laugh and makes us uncomfortable. He invites feedback. He doesn’t crave the platform, but shares leadership. He brings Scripture alive and invites us to humble ourselves before God and experience His love. And since our church is one block from Starbucks, I think he would enjoy getting this gift card. 🙂

  6. Elizabeth Rosner
    Elizabeth Rosner on October 12, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I’m honored to be a part of Passion City Church in ATL, led by the amazing Louie Giglio! He deserves a bazillion Starbucks cards!

  7. Christine Combs
    Christine Combs on October 12, 2015 at 11:31 am

    I appreciate my pastor who’s also my husband so much for all he does at What’s New Worship. He has such a passion for the community and people. Thank you Andy Combs for loving God and loving people!

  8. Christina Hall
    Christina Hall on October 12, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Three years ago we began a new journey in the Church! God is so good and faithful to lead His people to the place where they can grow, especially those who hunger & thirst for Him. We were led to Lighthouse Church where we were welcomed with open arms and open hearts. Our Pastor, Doug Dillard, teaches the gospel and not doctrine. We came from a place of stagnation and strife and found a place of growth and peace! God wrapped us in the arms of a community of believers and it is so peaceful there! Thank you Pastor Doug for all you do to shepherd God’s children!!!

  9. Melissa
    Melissa on October 12, 2015 at 11:51 am

    Thanks for all you do Jeff! You are an amazing husband and wonderful minister.

  10. Alisa
    Alisa on October 12, 2015 at 11:55 am

    We currently do not have a pastor as ours recently retired and a new one has yet to be found! In the meantime our church secretary is not only going above and beyond to fulfill all of her regular duties but is filling those pastoral shoes as well! Rachel Retterer at Gilead Friends Church needs this Starbucks card!

  11. Kim
    Kim on October 12, 2015 at 11:57 am

    Thank you Pastor Dan Christ for making much of Jesus!

  12. Sandi Taylor
    Sandi Taylor on October 12, 2015 at 12:50 pm

    Well, my pastor is amazing! He is a true example of a shepherd. Dr. Jason Taylor of Beulah Baptist Church, loves God with his whole heart and selflessly pours into the lives of others. He is is humble and passionate about God’s Word. I love him dearly because he is my husband of 15 years 😉 Serving along him has been both my joy and priveledge. Thank you , Jason for serving the Lord

  13. Faith Bowen
    Faith Bowen on October 12, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    Ralph Fletcher has been my lifelong pastor. I’m a little partial because he is also my dad. As a child of a pastor I’ve seen first hand what dedication to a calling from God looks like. I have witnessed the leadership my dad has and can only determine His strength in long underpaid hours comes from God. We are country back road folks and though our church only has a membership of about 80-100 folks I can say my dad ministers to hundreds throughout the community unselfishly. As a child I remember “family time” coming to a hault while dad rushed out to minister to others. Sure it was hard as a child but now as an adult, as his ministry continues, I strive to be as selfless as my father, putting others needs and hurts in front of his own. We would all probably agree that pastors never get paid in money what they’re worth but thankfully God keeps account and great will be their reward. Completely blessed to serve under my dads leadership in our church!

  14. Amy
    Amy on October 12, 2015 at 1:53 pm

    Pastor Tress Reed….words cannot express thanks to this beautiful woman of God….a warrior Princess who has touched so many lives through the raw honesty of her own woundings and trials!!!

  15. Molly Sullivan
    Molly Sullivan on October 12, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    Pastor Brigette Weier has lead our congregation with elegance and grace. She balances perfectly the need to call to light those things which rug at our heart strings, yet we’d rather avoid. She is tender, yet truthful.

    Brigette calls us to be better people, to hear God’s call and tells us that it is renewed daily. She walks the walk and talks the talk.

    I am grateful for her dedication, service, sacrifice and most of all adoration for God’s people in this world. We are a messy bunch but she looks at us through the eyes of Christ and sees us with beauty.

  16. Marlene Daley
    Marlene Daley on October 12, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    You are so right, Brandi Luiz, Jon Nutter is an amazing pastor & fights a constant battle for acceptance from those who feel the need to judge. Christ Jesus alone has that right.

  17. Deborah Richards
    Deborah Richards on October 12, 2015 at 6:26 pm

    Pastor Gary Rogers has a very tough job. He has a small country church in Vermont one of the most unchurched states in America. He does a lot of work himself to get things accomplished. He works very hard physically in addition to traditional Pastor “jobs”. I play the piano for services and not a week goes by where he doesn’t take my hand and sincerely thank me for playing that week. He deserves a life time supply of coffee. He has blessed the people of our church and community greatly!

  18. Ann
    Ann on October 12, 2015 at 9:45 pm

    He is my husband. And my pastor. I’ve known him and loved him for almost
    40 years. He is amazing. He is a man of character and integrity. He is a man of God. Faron Rogers ❤️

  19. Shari
    Shari on October 12, 2015 at 10:38 pm

    I truly appreciate Pastor David Hughes. He and his lovely wife Regina are the most unselfish, loving people I know. They make sure everyone in our church knows they are loved. Pastor Hughes is so very faithful to reach out to help those who are hurting. His anointed sermons are filled with truth and the power of the Holy Spirit.

  20. Cassandra Keates
    Cassandra Keates on October 13, 2015 at 5:35 am

    Thank you Pastor Chris Plunket at Cross Church Pinnacle Hills. You are a great inspiration. Please continue to provide us with humor and encouragement In our Young Adult Gathering #YAG.

  21. Nancy
    Nancy on October 13, 2015 at 8:13 am

    Pastors David and Cheree Wright of Life Link Church in Gilbert, Arizona, you make a difference in the lives of people seeking God and finding salvation as well as more mature Christians seeking new revelation and commitment to Gods ways. Thank you you are appreciated! Btw i will be baking you something this month. Nancy Elise Riehm

  22. Kellie
    Kellie on October 13, 2015 at 10:17 am

    Pastor Candy Thacker of Bethel United Methodist Church in Stockbridge, GA, thank you so much for who you are, all you do, your spirit of enthusiasm, caring, and teaching. You add so much to our congregation and give us so much to think about throughout the week with each message. You are by our sides when we need you and you truly care!

  23. Michelle Strickland
    Michelle Strickland on October 13, 2015 at 10:18 am

    My husband, a pastor, works so hard with little to no recognition, and I appreciate your shout out so much, as a pastor’s wife, it is always difficult to lead the congregation to understand their need to appreciate the gift God has given them in their pastor. Thanks so the shout-out and the love!

  24. Leah
    Leah on October 13, 2015 at 10:26 am

    Mike Sares at Scum of the Earth Church. I don’t know anyone pastor who has witnessed more loss and struggled with their people than you have. Love you and miss you!

  25. LeVelle Calbat
    LeVelle Calbat on October 13, 2015 at 10:51 am

    Shout out to Pastor Blake Nichols of Waller Baptist Church in Waller, Texas. Our church is without a Senior Pastor at this time and Pastor Blake has stepped up and with his positive outlook and sense of humor brought our church together during this time as we are in the process of seeking God’s will and man for our church. He is wearing two hats: Staff Director and Youth Pastor. He makes it look so easy but we know it is only God who is giving him the strength do all the things he needs to do.

    Pastor Blake, we love and appreciate you!

  26. Beverly Stratton
    Beverly Stratton on October 13, 2015 at 10:52 am

    Dear Pastor David Dahms, thank you for not only teaching us the infallible Word of God but also
    for sharing that you are a sinner saved by grace and not perfect. It shows your humility and I love you expressing that. You and your family are loved by me and our congregation. Prayers are lifted up for you daily as we remind ourselves that this is not our home as you said Sunday, we are just passing through and we need to model ourselves after our Savior. And share the gospel of Christ with those around us.

  27. Terri Spratte
    Terri Spratte on October 13, 2015 at 11:37 am

    Shout out to Rick Schmitz Pastor at Westwoods Community Church. Appreciate and Thankful for the way God used him to encourage and equip our church community to be out posts of hope to the community around us, in our daily lives. Thankful to do life with him.

  28. Bonnie Loy
    Bonnie Loy on October 13, 2015 at 11:38 am

    Pastor Christopher Hall of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tulsa. Thank you for the many ways in which you care for us week to week (teaching adults, preaching, leading my son’s Confirmation class), the multitude of things you do behind the scenes, and the care you bestow upon us individually when a personal crises arises. What a blessing it is for my family to be loved and cared for within our church home. So thankful for you and your family!

  29. Erin Woodard
    Erin Woodard on October 13, 2015 at 11:53 am

    Here’s to you, Owen! Our pastor, Owen Barrow, is the most enthusiastic and energetic person I know. He puts his all into our church (which is celebrating its 3rd birthday this Sunday!) by constantly looking for new ways to engage and challenge us. Owen makes everyone feel right a home by being human, humble, and transparent. He works really hard, preaches amazing sermons, and always has a smile and a high five for anyone crossing his path.

  30. Judy McDonough
    Judy McDonough on October 13, 2015 at 12:51 pm

    Pastor David Janney of Purcellville Baptist Church. He is a true shepherd and is utterly committed to Jesus, the Word of God, authenticity and relationship. He preaches it and he lives it. And it isn’t easy.

  31. Erin Woodard
    Erin Woodard on October 13, 2015 at 1:06 pm

    Oops- forgot to mention 1 important detail- 5one9 Church in Cary, NC

  32. Dana
    Dana on October 13, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    Pastor Matt Nickoson at Kingsway Christian Church in Avon, IN is a wonderful preacher and teacher. He has had a really rough year yet he continues to study and deliver powerful sermons and have a kind and gentle spirit. Leading a large church has to be one of the hardest jobs around and I want him to know how much he is appreciated, loved and prayed for.

  33. Cindy Ellis
    Cindy Ellis on October 13, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    Shout out to Pastor Russell Daniel at The Fellowship at Scofield Farms in Austin, TX. He has a heart for the reaching people in our neighborhood, and is very real and genuine with the messages he brings. He is willing to admit that he struggles with the same things we do. This is a small church plant that is just over 2 yrs old, and growing. He is doing an amazing job in leading our growing church family; and while he has fresh new ideas, he is open to ideas and suggestions from others about ways to reach the community for Christ. While we are all learning during this “planting” phase, he leads us as well as shepherds and cares for us. Currently he does all of this while planning his wedding with his bride to be. Doing either is a big task. Doing both is phenomenal!

  34. Kelly
    Kelly on October 13, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    My pastor Gina Colburn is amazing. She’s a wife and a mother to four kids, and she does so much both as a pastor and a friend to support and encourage families in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Her family relocated from Kansas to be our church’s pastor, and they have revitalized all aspects of our church here in only a little over a year: and it’s all because of their hearts. My pastor is the real deal, and we are so blessed to have her.

    twcallentown.org

  35. Valerie Welch
    Valerie Welch on October 13, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    Margaret, my husband and my dad are both pastors at the church I grew up in and they just returned from Catalyst in Atlanta. My husband said you were his FAVORITE speaker, and both of them came back so refreshed. Thank you for speaking life and encouragement to two pastors who needed it. I want to thank my dad, Jim Bishop, and my husband, Daryl Welch, for always seeking God and serving for His glory every day. Not only in their ministries to the church but also to their family.

  36. Edilane
    Edilane on October 13, 2015 at 6:00 pm

    Pastor Jason, thank you so much for being my favorite pastor and husband!

  37. Laura Bennet
    Laura Bennet on October 13, 2015 at 7:21 pm

    I can’t say enough about our lead pastors Matt and Sarah Keller of Next Level Church in Fort Myers, FL. And actually the entire pastoral staff at our church is incredible. We have only been here a year, but I love, love the challenging messages (real and in your face with love) – after following Christ for 45 years I’ve been around the block and in the word a long time – each week the Lord uses them to give me a deeper perspective on my walk with him. I love that they focus on each person as if they were the most important one, even though our church has 2 campuses and is fairly large. I love the heart they exhibit of reaching out to everyone in our community not only our church family – like anyone and everyone is our family. And I love that they are such real, normal people who are never too busy to say hi, have our son over to play with their son or show concern when we are in difficulty. They are an amazing example of humble, growing followers of Christ who love God, family and others. Not perfect, but clearly allowing God to perfect them.

  38. Sue
    Sue on October 13, 2015 at 7:43 pm

    A loving THANK YOU to my pastor and husband, who I have listened to and worked with for 44 years! He cares for his flock, he is a true pastor. Right now he is fighting an auto immune disease that causes him trouble with his speaking, but he delivers God’s message in spite of his handicap! He is faithful, compassionate and an excellent administrator. Thank you, Ben, for a life of sacrifice and love! Your wife!

  39. Kim G.
    Kim G. on October 13, 2015 at 9:12 pm

    Thank you, Pastor Rocky, for your faithfulness to the Lord, your passion for His Word, and great love for His flock!

  40. Mona
    Mona on October 14, 2015 at 7:03 am

    I have worked for more than one pastor and it has to be one of the hardest most isolating jobs in the world. Thank you.

  41. Jill Pate Barlow
    Jill Pate Barlow on October 14, 2015 at 10:03 am

    My Lead Pastor, Jason Spears of Providence Church in Albany, GA is amazing! He’s a husband, a dad to 5 kids, and a great leader. I have learned more under his leadership than I ever have before.

  42. Bobbi Wineberg
    Bobbi Wineberg on October 14, 2015 at 3:08 pm

    It’s hard for me to say enough thanks for my pastor husband. I know his schedule and sacrifices and how I add to it when I tell him we have to go visit this person or call him or go to the hospital. HHe’s a prison Chaplain and mission pastor. So I take care of the church ministry a lot while he’s at the prison. I so appreciate all that he does and I do thank him but I’m sure not often enough. But I still enjoy his sermons, even if after 37 years, I’ve heard some of the stories a couple of times, ?. I enjoy our ministry together and even if we’re just both sitting on the couch, exhausted, knowing he’s there.

  43. Mona Chisholm
    Mona Chisholm on October 16, 2015 at 4:46 pm

    Thank You Pastor Bob Barnes of The Gateway Church in Washougal, Washington.
    Thank You for your teaching.
    Thank You for your passion and love for the Lord.
    And a special Thank You for your prayers as I was given the miracle of life after my second lung surgery.
    My husband, Robert and I are grateful that the Lord led us to you.
    THANK YOU.

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