Rev Francisco BilogINTRODUCTION:
This month is Pastor’s Appreciation month. So today’s them in our worship is to give honor our pastor.
Since we are giving honor in so many ways, I decided to take a look at what the Bible says about giving honor. I Timothy chapter 5 talks about the importance of giving honor in the church. The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. I Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”
1. Give “Double Honor”
You might ask, “What does “double honor” mean?” Some think that double honor would be like “double pay.” How about you? What do you think?
I appreciate the work our pastors in so many ways. They focus on the spiritual direction of our church. They make many difficult decisions. They also teach the word of God. Just recently they took on the task of teaching a class on Christian Growth. . They faithfully visit the sick and shut-ins. They pray regularly for needs in the church. Anything else that needs doing — they do it. Our church leaders deserve “Double Honor.”
Sometimes honor includes tangible rewards. I Timothy 5:18 explains, 18For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
Now a preacher might not like being compared to an Ox, put the point is that church workers deserve fair pay. Our congregation has 2 Full Time ministers. We give proper honor by taking care of their financial needs.
Another way we can show Honor is to EXPECT THE BEST.
2. Expect the best
I Timothy 5:19 gives this instruction: Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.
The point is, we should be quick to believe the best and slow to think the worst of church leaders. In fact, to accuse someone or to gossip about someone is the exact opposite of giving Honor. There are times when a leader is doing something wrong and action has to be taken. But too often the accusations that are made are unfounded.
I’ve heard people speak against church pastor by saying things like, “He just isn’t spiritual. He has no “vision.” He only cares about certain people.” Friends, no one can defend against those kind of subjective condemnations. They are actually attacks on a person’s motives. Only God can see a person’s heart. These kind of criticisms go against the scripture that tells us to give Honor to our church leaders.
We should expect the best of our church pastor. Our pastors are person of integrity. They unselfishly give time and resources for the church. We should honor them by assuming the best of them. This is the same way we give Honor to our young people. We honor our children by expecting them to do well. A good parent is a Cheerleader for their child. We look for the good and encourage them every chance we get. A critical attitude is not the way to give honor.
I Timothy 5:21 gives another warning: I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.
If you want to give Honor, then DON’T PLAY FAVORITES.
3. Don’t play favorites
All of us have our strengths and weaknesses. This is true of our children, our friends, and it is true of our church pastors. In a family it is a mistake to choose favorites among your children. In the same way, it is a mistake to choose favorites in the church. Pastorate is not a competition. We have multiple Ministers because we need each one of them. No one can do everything; but everyone can do something.
The leaders here are a team. We work cooperatively. We all belong to the Body of Christ. When every Christian uses their gifts and talents to the best of their ability, the whole body will be healthy. Comparing one leader with another will only cause hard feelings and will make the Church weak. If we are going to give honor, we will not pick “favorites.” We will honor each person for their unique gifts.
Our Text in I Timothy 5 gives another important way that we can show honor. Verse 23 says, Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
Now, you may wonder what that verse has to do with giving honor. This was a personal instruction that Paul wrote to Timothy. In those days, wine was one of the few medicines available to help with pain. Even today, some doctors suggest that the Tannin in red wine can have a medicinal effect. It is likely that Paul was telling Timothy to take care of his health needs. We show honor to our pastors when we CARE ABOUT THEIR WELL-BEING.
4. Care about their well-being
The real issue here is not about wine. The issue is that even Church pastors are HUMAN! Just like anyone else, Pastors need rest and food and encouragement.
We can give honor by showing concern for health issues, family concerns, money problems, and emotional well-being.
In Davao City and IGACOZ we have five married Methodist pastor. Do you know that three of them are serving their pastorate without their spouses living with them.
Some of us have experienced the trials, problems, difficulties and challenges of our spouses working abroad! Our pastors are not immune from the same problems that we have experienced. How do we help them?
Be friendly, considerate, and help your pastor’s spouse. The many expectations to pastor’s spouse as if she/he is a paid staff alienates them from their husband pastor.
Offer them a paid vacation for family retreat and or renewal and strengthening of their family ties.
Let us help our pastor have an annual general medical check up.
Many more things that Christians and church members can do to honor their spiritual leaders and their pastors considering the context and situational needs of the time.
Yes, we show honor to our pastors when we CARE ABOUT THEIR WELL-BEING.
CONCLUSION:
So here we are. God wants us to honor the spiritual leaders in our lives, such as our pastor. We do that by supporting them financially, by treating them fairly, by expecting them to act with integrity, and encouraging them to live a healthy lifestyle.
Two Mega Church Pastors in the USA, Pastor Pete Wilson, founder and Senior pastor of Cross Point Church(7,000 members) and Pastor Perry Noble of New Spring (5,000 members) resigned their pastorate, reason, their family and personal life were burned out in their ministry. In their dedication and busyness in their work, and possibly the expectations of the church members, they have neglected their personal lives and their families.
From Facebook article we have the following description about pastors:
“A pastor never gets to say, “I’m off duty, never gets to punch Out at 5. Never gets to have a normal schedule. We don’t how many sleepless night they spend on their knees praying for their church. How much opposition they face. How many family opportunities they to meet hurting people. We can’t carry their burdens for them but we can do what the Bible tell us to. Pray for them, encourage them, support them. By blessing them we will only be blessed in return.”
In the United Methodist Church worldwide many pastors leave their church or withdraw from the ministry for financial reasons and or family reasons. So let us help and honor our pastors reach a point in their lives Paul reached, when he looked back on his life in ministry and said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7).
How can we help our pastors finish well? The answer is I Timothy 5:17
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” 1 Thess. 5:12-13 where Paul says, “And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, (13) and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake….”
May God help us as a church to honor those who lead us.
Let’s dedicate ourselves to give honor to our pastors where honor is due.
* We give proper honor to our pastors by taking care of their financial needs.
* Let’s Expect the Best of them.
* We can avoid playing favorites. Instead we can appreciate every pastor’s gifts God has given them.
* We can take care of their well-being and encourage them to healthy living.
* and lastly prayerfully support their family and their ministries.. Amen.
We can give “double honor” … and even try for “triple honor” or “quadruple honor.” As we serve God together, let’s be generous in giving honors to our spiritual leaders for God also continues to honor us with His graces. Amen.