Pastor Appreciation? from Newsletter

I want to use this column to show my appreciation for our “pastors” here at South Side. Before I do, let me deal with several thoughts that may already be running through your mind.

Maybe you are thinking—I thought that “Pastor Appreciation” was October. Well, it might be in the denominational world, but we are anti-denominational. If you don’t know what that means, ask me later. We should appreciate “pastors” ALL year long!

Then you may also be thinking that I am simply writing an article to appreciate myself. That wouldn’t be a very humble attitude to have! But according to the New Testament, I am not a “pastor”. And if that isn’t shocking enough to you, read on.

You may be thinking also—I thought South Side only had one “pastor”. Even if I was a “pastor”, I would not be THE “pastor”. At South Side we don’t have just one “pastor”, we have six! Yes, you read that number right—SIX! In fact, if we only had one “pastor”, we would not be biblical. In the New Testament church, there was always a plurality of “pastors”.

South Side is a people of the Book. South Side calls Bible things by Bible names; and does Bible things in Bible ways. That is why at South Side, we do not follow the popular view of “THE pastor” run church. Just because everyone else is doing it, does not make it biblical! Rather at South Side we try to go back and restore the pattern for church leadership from the New Testament. That is why we have six “pastors”. These “pastors” are the shepherds of the flock. These “pastors” are the overseers of the body of Christ. These “pastors” are, if you haven’t guessed it already, the elders of the church.

So when I think of “pastor appreciation”, I think of our group of elders. I think of how much they should be appreciated by us (and not just during the month of October).

The New Testament is very clear on the subject of the eldership in the church. These “pastors” are best described by the terms used in the New Testament.

* Elders—Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2; I Timothy 5:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; I Peter 5:1
* Bishops (Overseers)—Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; I Timothy 3:2; I Peter 2:25
* Pastors (Shepherds)—Ephesians 4:11

All of these terms are referring to the same function! I love the way Luke describes the function of the “pastors” from Ephesus. In Acts 20:17, Luke writes, “From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church.” Notice he calls the “pastors” “elders” in the text. Then talking to the same group of men (the elders from Ephesus), Luke records for us in Acts 20:28, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd (or pastor) the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” In this verse Luke records the words of the Apostle Paul as he refers to the elders as “overseers” who are to “shepherd” (or pastor) the church of God.

The Apostle Peter then uses all three terms in his first epistle to describe the elders. Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd (or pastor) the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. (I Peter 5:1–3)

With all that said, I am very thankful for all six of our “pastors”. They are very godly men. I am very honored to serve with them at South Side. I take advantage of every opportunity that I can to spend time with them. We are all very blessed to have them as our “pastors”, “elders”, and “overseers”.

Let me encourage you to show your appreciation for our “pastors” also. Here are a few things that you can do:
* Pray for them DAILY!
* Encourage them every chance you get!
* Remember, they are mere men, and do make mistakes.
* Allow them to pastor the flock—they have the desire to do so!
* Remember they are a team—a group. They are united. No one elder is the “head” elder. The chief “pastor” is Jesus (I Peter 5:4).

Lawrence, Larry, Denny, Dick, Myreon and Len: Thanks for your service for the Lord here at South Side. Thank you for leading us by your examples. We appreciate all of you men serving as our “pastors”.

Your evangelist (Ephesians 4:11),

Kevin

GIJAPA

I feel very honored to know several great evangelists of the Gospel, and their families. It was nice today to chat back and forth with Ed and Naomi Bousman. I have enjoyed their ministry with "God is Just A Prayer Away" (GIJAPA) for years. Check it out - you will like it too! http://www.gijapa.org/ (The poster above is from a 1964 Revival Meeting Ed Bousman held at South Side Church of Christ.)

I was just Folding the Side Lites!

I was just sitting here minding my own business. I was folding the Side Lites (which are going out on Sunday). I was looking back over my article on the front cover called "Pastor Appreciation?". Now if you know me very well, and if you are a good Bible student, you will realize that my article is about the elders of the church. So I am folding up a storm, when what would pop up in my email inbox but a note from a "senior pastor" from one of our sister churches.

Now normally Pat, the secretary here at South Side, would hear me groan and come check on me, but she is not here. So I thought I would do my groaning here.

What ever happened to "Calling Bible things with Bible names and doing Bible things in Bible ways"? Are the principles of the restoration plea still valid and appropriate for 2006 (soon 2007). I believe they are! I still seek to go back and restore that church we read about in the New Testament - including their "pastors" (elders) and evangelists (Ephesians 4:11).

All my blog readers will have to wait until after Sunday to get the full article from the Side Lites - I always make sure the local church gets it first. I will post it here in the blog. But lets all go back to the Bible!

Thanks for letting me groan here. I am longing for the day when the ONE AND ONLY "Senior Pastor" will appear. I believe Peter calls Him the "Chief Pastor" (I Peter 5:4). You see, when He appears, we will receive our unfading crowns of glory!

One Year!

One year ago today I preached my first sermon at South Side as "interim" evangelist. It is great to see the growth as we continue to minister together! As long as the Lord hasn't returned, let us labor together during 2007 "contending for the faith"! Thank you for a great first year!

First Snow

My chair never looked like this when I grew up in Florida . . . unless the sand from the beach covered the chair!

It was a messy night here! Rainy and icy all night - and then a covering of snow this morning. The first of the year! Schools are closed or letting out early because of the very slick roads.

As I sit here waiting for the family to come home from school, I have been enjoying some Heaven High! Hell Deep! World Wide! Shot Gun Barrel Straight preaching by Ray Bennett . . . Maybe you would like to listen too!

http://www.biblevoice.org/listen/?search=&region=&bcid=226&langid=-1&do=Search&offset=5

Have a great day - whether snowy, sunny, rainy, cloudy, or whatever, because this is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in HIM!