You haven’t forgotten these heroes have you?

They conduct your weddings and officate at the funerals of your family members and friends.

They’re the one you call at 2 a.m. when life falls apart and you need advice you can stake your life on.

They’re one of the first to show up at your bedside in the hospital.

They’re one of the helping hands when you move to a bigger place.

They pray over you as you bring your newborn child forward to dedicate yourselves as parents.

When you’re in serious trouble, again they are there, but to help instead of shame you.

They’re also the one who comes alongside you and is honest enough to tell you you’re headed in the wrong direction and need to change your life. Then they offer to show you how you can do that.

This is one of the people you call on when your kids are going astray and you feel like you’re losing them.

They may have been the one who introduced you to Jesus and buried you in Christ in baptism.

They are one of the most consistent and faithful at setting an example for you of what it means to be a faithful and obedient disciple of Christ.

And this is the person who spends hours and hours every week studying and praying so he can effectively teach you every week.

This list can go on and on about how your pastor serves and loves you and your family. This “hero” has the serious task of watching over your soul, and October is the month designated to show appreciation to your pastor for his life of service.

“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit,” Hebrews 13:17.

Sometimes — maybe even often? — we don’t make the work of our pastors a joyful experience for them. But we can correct that as there’s plenty of time this month to add our appreciation for all they have done.

Let me encourage you, before the month is out, to do something special for your pastor. I won’t bother to list ways you can do that, I’ll encourage you to use your own creativity, but let me also encourage you to do as much as you can to honor your pastor. Pastors pour out their lives watching over your souls, so don’t hesitate to “go all out” in doing something for your pastor to show genuine appreciation for all they do.

Give them a cause to be joyful that they get to serve you!

Scotty