Scripture verses about appreciating pastors and leaders:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over
you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love
because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves

1 Timothy 5:17

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially
those who labor in preaching and teaching.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has
no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

1 Corinthians 9:14

In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel
should get their living by the gospel.

2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and
exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your
souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy
and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Sermon:
PASTORS APPRECIATION DAY
THE BLESSINGS OF FULFILLING THE MINISTERIAL PURPOSES
HEB. 13:17

INTRO: What is the Biblical concept relating to the Pastor? Because of the times in which
we live in, we need to see the ministry of the Pastor in the Biblical approach. Many of Gods
people have a wrong concept toward the Pastor, giving him a title as a Employee of the
Church. NO, he isnt an employee. Others give him the title of a Team Manager because
we should work as a team. NO, he isnt a Team Manager. Others, others- we wont even
mention how they call him.

If he is not all of the above; who is the Pastor? Clearly, separated from being a Husband,
Father, Minister, Painter, Plumber, Electrician, Chef, Delivery Man, etc. who is he?

The Word of God talks to us of many leaders and servants, who were great models, but I
would like to concentrate in King David. First, because he was a real Shepard and second,
because He had the heart of God.

Let us see what the Bible tells us in relation to the Pastor and how Gods people should
answer toward the Pastor.

I. WHAT THE PASTOR SHOULD BE TOWARD GODS PEOPLE

A. David consulted God for His people 1 Sam. 30:1-2 David and his men reached Ziklag
on the third day. Now the Amalekites had raided the Negev and Ziklag. They had attacked
Ziklag and burned it, 2 and had taken captive the women and all who were in it, both young
and old. They killed none of them, but carried them off as they went on their way.

1. His enemies had taken their women, children and everything else

2. In how many occasions has the enemy of our souls taken away the souls of Gods people

3. David didnt reacted in His human nature

4. He consulted the Lord God

i. Vs. 8 and David inquired of the LORD, Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake
them?

5. God gives many victories to His people through

His servant
i. Vs. 18-19 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives.
19 Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken.
David brought everything back.

B. David returns Gods people to His presence 2 Sam. 6:1 David again brought together
out of Israel chosen men, thirty thousand in all. 2 He and all his men set out from Baalah of
Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the name of the
LORD Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim that are on the ark.

1. We know that the Ark symbolizes the Presence of God

2. His enemies had taken it away from them

3. David know the importance of Gods presence among his people

4. The Pastor will always seek ways to bring Gods presence among His people He will
pray, fast, read the Bible not because he is being paid, not because he will be rewarded,
but because He knows the importance of the presence of God in this place.

C. David looks for the good things in a person 1 Sam. 22:1-2 David left Gath and
escaped

I give thanks unto the Lord

For your love and faithfulness
In all the little things you do
With a heart of thankfulness
I do so appreciate you
And cannot truly express
Just how much you mean to me,
For I am truly blessed.

By M.S.Lowndes

#3
So often no one can see
Your service for the Lord,
But know that Jesus sees the work
You've done for no reward
I just want to let you know,
I appreciate you too
And I am sure a heavenly reward
Is waiting there for you.

By M.S.Lowndes

#4
I present to you today
An appreciation award,
Just to say a big 'Thank You'
 For your service in the Lord
I pray that God continues
To bless you in your life,
As you have been faithful in
The work of Jesus Christ.

By M.S.Lowndes

Pastor Appreciation Prayer (with Blessing)

by Rev. Frank Schaefer

Almighty and ever-gracious God,

We give you thanks for (Pastor/Rev/Father/Rev. Mother) ________.
You have appointed him/her to be our Shepherd;
to minister to our spiritual needs
to reach the lost souls in our community
to prayerfully guide and tend to our church/fellowship.

We realize that the tasks of a pastor/spiritual leader are demanding

His/her job is never done.
S/he listens, cares, and prays for us, encourages and teaches us
and reaches out to those in need of help and salvation.
We give you thanks, o Lord, for our pastor.

(For the Blessing part of the payer, you may want to ask the people or
a representative to lay hands on him/her and the family members)

On this day we pray that you would strengthen and empower our him/her.
We pray that you would bless him/her and his family,
and that you would keep them out of harm's way.

May you keep him/her from temptations and negativity.

May the joy of the Lord always remain in his/her heart;
Amen.

Declare AbundanceI declare by faith that Jesus will supply all my needs,
spiritually, financially, physically and emotionally throughout this year,I declare that
every aspect of my life will yield abundant fruit in Jesus name,I declare that I shall
be a blessing to the people of God and the work of God,I declare that God will
enrich my life with the abundance of His joyI declare that God will shower me with
such an abundance of His favor that even the enemy will have to acknowledge it in
Jesus name, I declare that I shall be blessed with supernatural abundance that will
bless generations to come in Jesus name,I declare that the power, glory and the
kingdom of the living God will come upon every aspect of my life, in the name of
Jesus,
Pray For Perfect Health I pray that throughout this year I shall enjoy the favor of
God's covenant Name of Jehovah Rapha,I pray, by the stripes of Jesus I have been
healed. My body is strong in Jesus name, I pray that no weapon that is fashioned
against me shall prosper in Jesus name,I pray that every agent of infirmity must
loose its hold over my life in the name of Jesus, I pray against any sickness or
disease that the enemy may want to use to stop my destiny in Jesus name,I pray
against every genetic disease that has ruled my family for generations in Jesus
name, I pray against every form of torment, whether physical or spiritual in Jesus
name, I pray that the anointing of God will flow from my life to bring healing,
deliverance and hope to others in the name of Jesus, I pray that throughout this
year every member of my household will receive the healing of the Lord,