Warrior Flock
October is Pastor’s Appreciation Month and every year our church family honors and blesses us. Admittedly, we look forward to this time because we are told that we are loved. I know that might sound silly, but the hand written cards and gifts serve as reminders that what we do matters. Yes, our work is ultimately unto the Lord and for His kingdom (as is your work, wherever that may be). No, we do not shepherd our people in hopes that they will turn around and tell us how amazing we are; we shepherd because we have been commissioned by God to do so. Still, it is nice when the flock reaches out and whispers their gratitude. It illustrates a partnership in ministry, an understanding that we all serve together under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
We’ve looked back at cards through the years and found letters written by eight-year-olds that have since graduated high school. We have re-read written prayers that were scripted five years ago but seemingly also fit for such a time as this. There have been past letters that now evoke sadness as the author has since gone on to Heaven.
Yes, we look back because it helps build alters of God’s faithfulness; testimonies that ministry is not all heavy and isolating. Too often, the enemy lies to pastors, “The time spent giving, loving, serving, and blessing will be forgotten. You only matter in a given moment.” Pastors are not immune. We must combat these lies through The Word and in prayer, but, we too are human, and can find ourselves inflicted in despair as we question worth, likability, and influence. What Scott and I have found, time and time again, is that in these times of defeat one of the flock will rise up and fight that despair battle with us. They will call, show up at our door, or text in what appears as a random act of kindness, when in actuality, it is a gift from the Holy Spirit declaring that this “church thing” is a community of profound hope.
A lot happens in a congregation within a year’s time. A lot of good. Also, a lot of hard. Allow me to encourage you as a member of a church flock to reach out a lot. Find your pastor(s) and pray for them, offer a hug, and encourage them. Verbally tell pastor’s children that you appreciate them and remind them of their worth (not for what they do, but for who they are). During a Sunday service, pray that God will anoint and use the pastoral staff in all their areas of ministry. During the week, send an encouraging email or drop by the office with cookies.
If you vow to remember your pastors in prayer even once a month, you become part of the warrior flock, the few sheep willing to fight in the spiritual realm against the tactics of Satan. Scripture declares that even the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church (Matthew 16:18) but it doesn’t say that about pastoral staffs. Nope. Satan knows his place, but as the deceiver he works really hard to bruise, bater, and belittle the people serving, protecting, and building the church body.
Your pastor, your shepherd, needs more sheep to serve on the warrior flock.
Will you take up that mantel, that call? You may never know the fullness of how much it matters.
Thank you to our South Valley Church family. We do not use the word family loosely. Many of you are the family we call on when we are in need. Thank you for inviting us in as part of your extended family and for sharing with us your greatest joys and heaviest pains. We warrior together for His Kingdom and His glory!
To the many pastoral friends that we have made in over two decades of ministry: we know that some of you serve in difficult places and with sheep that refuse to rise up as warriors alongside you. We know that some of you have your own versions of “church hurt” yet you routinely respond with patience and love. May God rise up warriors around you that will serve as your Aaron and Hur (Exodus 17:12) and may His peace infiltrate every corner of your heart, family, and home.
Here is my letter of gratitude to the many pastors who have shepherded me, to my pastoral friends, and to the staff members I have been privileged to co-labor alongside…may you know that you are seen, heard, loved, and appreciated.
Thank you to the lead pastor who has accepted the role of shepherd.
The burden you have for your flock is honorable but tough.
It is a heavy mantel you carry as you lead sheep to the Shepherd,
Trusting the Spirit’s work because your hands will never be enough.
You confront sin, counsel the lost, and make many a hard decision,
Comfort the grieving, support the brokenhearted, exhort the lukewarm,
Manage a staff, lead a board, balance a budget, cast a vision,
Spend time in prayer and the Word, prepare sermons and curriculum,
Bolster missions, fundraise for buildings, clean toilets, set up chairs,
Assist in the community, protect the family, and live biblically,
Encourage the believers, educate the listeners, empathize with tears,
All with the desire to represent Jesus Christ, emphatically.
May you be surrounded by warrior sheep who stand in the gap-
Those that see you, hear you, and partner with you,
Praying with fervor against any enemy’s trap,
Affirming God’s work as life-changing, because HE is true.
Thank you to the youth pastor who believes in this generation.
You have vowed to consistently show up when so many walk away.
Through prayer and patience, you point to Jesus’ gift of salvation
While battling against a culture where students become prey.
You are more than an entertainer or chaos coordinator,
You are a warrior on the frontlines for the church’s future.
You’ve fiercely accepted the role of being a positive cultivator
Of things that are uplifting, godly, redeeming, and pure.
Thank you to the children’s pastor who loves the littlest sheep.
You bless families as you safely care for their precious one.
You share His Word, age-appropriate yet purposefully deep
As you craft, sing, and dance - proving God is a lot of fun!
You snuggle babies, bandage boo-boos, and recruit volunteers,
You clean up glitter and paint and sort curriculum packs.
Gently, you pastor a child’s tender heart and soften their fears,
You instill hope and confidence where it frequently lacks.
Thank you to the worship pastor who leads us in praise
Reminding the sheep that God is worthy of adoration.
You emulate a posture of worship with your hands raised,
Inviting the work of the Spirit with holy expectation.
Through prayer and practice you work toward excellence
As a means to teach us to present God our very best.
Your talent is a gift but your use of it reveals precedence
That without surrender and praise, God is not impressed.
Thank you to the pastoral families called missionaries.
Your call requires great sacrifice and discomfort
As you leave the familiar and chase new priorities-
To see a lost world know that Jesus is their only resort.
Your evangelistic heart breaks for the hopeless,
So you are His hands and feet to a hurting place,
Honoring the great commission with faithfulness,
Illustrating God’s unconditional love and grace.
Thank you to the female pastors, women with a call.
While others may question or block your appointment
You hold fast to the Truth of Christ and stand tall,
For when God births a call, nothing can circumvent.
Your passion for the Word and your love for the flock
Continue to showcase Christ’s gentle compassion.
Keep showing up despite the few critics that knock,
Because servanthood displays God’s good mission.
Thank you to the many pastors that serve in the church
Whatever your role, your call, or your position.
In a world where countless people are on the search
You give the answer from your pulpit, your station.
God loves the body and you’ve embraced that well
Praying for, fighting for, and honoring His church.
So, thank you for all the many ways you excel
In serving the sheep and loving the local church.
Until next time my friend.
I invite you to grab a cup of coffee, tea, or chai and sit with me. If you haven’t yet purchased God’s Big Ask, you can do so here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKHY7KM
