“For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 3:8
In a previous post I wrote about how Paul is encouraged to hear that the Thessalonian church was following the Lord faithfully as he had taught them. He cared and loved them and longed to see them but he hadn’t been able to because of obstacles Satan put on his way. The Thessalonians reciprocated that love to Paul and his team. This encouraged Paul.
Pastors need encouragement. Of course, the best way is when “his” sheep are walking steadfast in the Lord and are bearing fruit (lives show growth). But they often don’t hear back how they are being helped spiritually from those they shepherd. It is helpful when they receive encouraging words from their parishioners.
I was reminded of this today when I read several comments that my parishioners made when they nominated me in a radio station for a pastor’s lunch. I was encouraged by their comments. I offer a translation below with the Spanish original.
Take some time to encourage your pastor by writing him a short note telling how you have been helped spiritually by his life and how much this means to you. If you are a pastor, be encouraged by the growth you see in your members. They may not say it, but they are grateful for you.
If you want to know more about the life of a pastor you can read a short post I wrote about my friend Jimmy who has been pastor for over 20 years.
“He is a pastor dedicated to God and his congregation, concerned with making disciples for the lord. A lover of reading and studying the word of God to teach it to his congregation with dedication.”
“Es un pastor entregado a Dios y a su congregación, preocupado por hacer discípulos para el señor. Amante de la lectura y de estudiar la palabra de Dios para enseñársela a su congregación con dedicación.”“He is very good and gives a very good preaching.”
“Es muy bueno y da unas prédica muy bien.”“He gives us encouragement to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.”
“Nos da ánimos para seguir en los pasos de Jesús Cristo.”“The Pastor is always aware of our needs and very involved with our families.”
“El Pastor siempre está pendiente a nuestras necesidades y muy involucrado con nuestras familias.”“¡Edgar da de sí mismo a la comunidad!”
“Edgar gives himself to the community!”“Excellent leader in our Church, his teachings are truly clear to enrich the life of the congregation. He is a good disciple. I love that not only that he is but focuses on being him and making disciples for Christ. Excellent human being theologically enriched to be able to carry his flock on God’s ways.”
“Excelente líder en nuestra Iglesia, sus enseñanzas son realmente claras para enriquecer la vida de la congregación. Es un buen discípulo me encanta que no solo lo es sino que se enfoca en serlo y hacer discípulos para Cristo. Excelente ser humano enriquecido teológicamente para poder llevar su rebaño por los caminos de Dios.”
“I nominate my pastor Edgar Galdámez because he has helped me to be a person who has lead me to live a Christ-centered life. He pushes me not to stay in my comfort zone. He is a leader who is passionate about everything he cares for the kingdom of God. You can tell because I know it bothers you when we don’t take things seriously. I know you care about my spiritual life and my family’s. He’s a good shepherd.”
“Yo nomino a mi pastor Edgar Galdámez porque él me a ayudado a ser una persona que lleve una vida Cristo céntrica. Él me empuja a no mantenerme en mi zona de comfort. Él es un líder que es apasionado en todo lo que hace para el reino de Dios. Se nota porque sé que le molesta cuando no tomamos las cosas en serio. Sé que se preocupe por mi vida espiritual y por la de mi familia. Él es un buen pastor.”
“He cares about his flock, he feeds us very well with the word of God. He is very focused on the Great Commission. He seeks that we receive the word in our hearts. He is an excellent Shepherd and a great human being.”
“Se preocupa por su rebaño, nos alimenta muy bien con la palabra de Dios, está muy enfocado en la Gran Comisión, procura que recibamos la palabra en nuestros corazones, es un excelente Pastor y un gran ser humano.”
“My pastor deserves to be nominated for many reasons: he is a man to which the Lord uses to convey his word, a man who prepares and knows the word God. He preaches the gospel, pure gospel and not adulterated! because he is real, transparent and the Lord uses it to confront my life and that of many.”
“Mi pastor merece se nominado por muchas razones: el es un hombre al que el señor usa para transmitir su palabra, un hombre que se prepara y conoce la palabra Dios. Él predica el evangelio, evangelio puro y no adulterado! porque el es real, transparente y el señor lo usa para confrontar mi vida y la de muchos.”
