Eviess J.S.A. Acorda

Rev. Eviess J.S.A. Acorda

I've been thinking of what could be the best and appropriate gift I can give my pastor for his untiring love and support to us, as a church, and as individuals.

I may not be able to give him the best material gift there is possible. But I was able to come up with "MY TOP TEN GIFTS TO MY PASTOR".

Here it is:

1. MY PRAYERS. I'll pray for you every day. That’s fuel for more ministry!

2. MY LOVE. A pastor who really shepherds his people will expend a great amount of love. His heart will be stretched and often broken. Next to my prayers, the greatest thing I can give you is my love.

3. MY SUPPORT. Researchers say that other than being the President of any country, the most stressful "job" is that of being the pastor of a local church. Somebody said , "the pastor is not always perfect…but he is always the pastor."

4. A LITTLE GRACE. Often people get offended, their feelings hurt. Often it is because of something somebody did or said, or didn’t do or didn’t say. Sometimes that somebody is the pastor. Pastors are just human too. Like us, he actually has good days and bad days. So, I'll give a little grace and cut him some slack. You would also want him to do the same for you.

5. A "GOOD WORD TO" my pastor. Everybody likes to hear when they’ve done something right or been a blessing to somebody. Maybe the sermon spoke to you. Perhaps the service blessed you. Maybe you appreciated his call or visit or you just like his tie. In a given week the average pastor hears a lot of things that he’s done wrong. I'll take a moment and share something that he’s done right.

6. A "GOOD WORD FOR" my pastor. As a gifted Bible preacher, a visionary leader, a caring pastor. I'll make sure to brag about him. Make sure everybody knows just how good I think my pastor is. This will be a great gift of encouragement.

7. MY FAITHFULNESS. One pastor said, "instead of large receptions or lots of money, I’d rather just have my people be faithful". I completely agree. I'll try not to just say it or give it, I'll show it.

8. TIME WITH HIS FAMILY. He won’t be any good to our family if he’s not any good to his family. Another good idea is to insist, and if funds are available, make sure that the pastor and his family can have at least one week to get away on a vacation. In a day where most "faithful" church members miss at least one Sunday a month and take a few trips or vacations a year. It’s not asking too much to make sure that he and his family have at least one.

9. TIME BY HIMSELF. The demands of being a pastor today are greater than they were just 25 or 30 years ago. The pressure of meeting all the needs and living up to the expectations can get to the point that it just becomes too much to bear. This explains why so many pastors are burning out and quitting. I'll let my pastor get away to a good conference where he can be refreshed. Send him on a hunting or fishing or any trip. Allow him to recharge his batteries so that he can come back energized for the ministry. If our pastor is always available he won’t be worth anything when he is available.

10. A FINANCIAL GIFT. There is a reason why this is last – because it’s last. I’m just saying that most pastors don’t become pastors to get rich or have a lot of money. They do it because of the call of God on their life. So, I may consider giving a gift check for a nice meal. Or, even better, a little extra money to do whatever they want to do with it.

Express our appreciation for the long hours of ministry and love that he gives, not just during the month of February, but the rest of the year as well.