Proclaimer’s Appreciation
Honoring Those Who Teach The Word of God
According to the Book of Ephesians chapter four, Jesus gave pastors to the Body of Christ to prepare them for works of service, so they mature in their faith and be unified in the work of the Lord. Pastoral Appreciation month has been established so Christians may honor those who are called to pastor or shepherd (Greek: p??µ?? poim?n) the people of God. In hope of honoring their pastors, church attenders often use a world approach by taking their pastor and their families to dinner or purchasing an appreciation card or taking time during the Sunday morning service to give recognition. Other expressions of appreciation have been given to pastors and their families over the years. As wonderful as these expressions of appreciation are, we have not seen the trend of pastors moving from pulpit to pulpit put in good order. Often pastors leave before seeing their work through to a healthy completion. According to three different Church Leadership websites, the tenure of a pastor is three to seven years. One fact is, the pastorate tenure of twenty to thirty years is not a common occurrence. Another fact is, this trend is a sign of the church universal being unhealthy, thus ineffective in addressing the culture around her.
Church attendees need to understand, pastors are not CEO’s who come up with the most intriguing programs and outreaches. Christians avoid following individuals, (1 Corinthians 3:4) they appreciate and honor the gift to “prophesy” which is exercised through sacrificial love by individuals who are led of the Lord to preach and teach God’s Word.
The Apostle Paul gives this exhortation, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1) The people of God are told, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies (p??f?te?a propheteía).” 1 Corinthians 14:3-4 says, “…the one who prophesies speaks to the people for their up-building, encouragement and consolation…. The one who prophesies build’s up the church.” Many have been edified, consoled and moved to service for the Lord by someone exercising their gift to preach and teach the written Word of God.
What Is Prophecy
Christians are told to eagerly desire the “gift of prophecy” (p??f?te?? propheteúo) The Lord’s proclaimer is one who preaches and teaches the counsel of God with clearness, energy and authority which comes from the awareness of speaking in God’s Name and having received a direct message from Him to teach. Keeping in context with this message, the person exercising this gift has been taught of God and has the authority to speak out His will with the help of Divine inspiration. (Deuteronomy 18:18; Isaiah 1; Jeremiah 1; Ezekiel 2; 1 Cor. 14:3). - Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.) The person with the gift of New Testament prophecy proclaims the word of the Lord for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. (“Martin, D. M. (1995). 1, 2 Thessalonians (Vol. 33, p. 184). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
In 1994 at the North American Conference of Evangelist, the Billy Graham team put together a great number of Proclaimers, to Preach the Word to encourage a new generation of preachers. They were taught the message to proclaim, the character of the messenger, and the new methods to use. Logos Bible software and SermonCentral are host websites with Biblical teachings which build up and equip others to preach the Word of God around the world.
Biblical Exhortation
True Biblical honoring of the person who has the call to publically read the Scriptures, the “gift of prophecy” (p??f?te?? propheteúo) is to enable that person to devote themselves to that task. (1Timothy 4:13) The Apostle Paul told Timothy, …devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have.” (1 Timothy 4:13) The world view and influence of honoring pastors every October has not fixed the tragic results of preachers leaving the ministry of preaching the Word. Of those who would give me an answer to my question, “What is your greatest frustration in the ministry?” The number one answer was, family and the congregation they serve not protecting their time to fulfill the ultimate call of “Preach the Word.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
The testimony of a state correction’s Chaplin gives us understanding of the world view which has made its way into the church. The Chaplin testified, when came time for him to get ready for the Biblical message for the prison’s church service, he had to get up early or stay up late into the night to get Sunday’s message ready. He spent forty hours per week on the prison’s paper work, incentive programs and regulations, he did not have time during his work hours to read his Bible nor prepare for Biblical teachings. Pastors who can come with the most intriguing programs and outreaches are replacing Bible teachers who know the exegesis of Scripture and hermeneutics of teaching God’s word. Eloquent speakers are more popular than true proclaimers of God’s Word.
If the church wants to enjoy Holy Spirit illumination of the written Word of God, then she must protect and make time for those who are devoted to the public proclamation of Biblical truths.
Matthew Henry and the churches he oversaw for the Lord enjoyed the gift of “prophesy.” His family and the churches he pastored supported his devotion to teaching the Bible. He spent 14 hours daily, prayerfully reading, studying and teaching the Word of God.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, written from 1708 -1710 provides a nearly verse by verse, using Scripture to interpret Scripture to bring understanding of the truths of God’s Word. Before Matthew could complete his commentary he died, thus thirteen nonconformist ministers completed his vision to teach God’s Word (Romans-Revelation). “While millions of pastors have come and gone… most preachers’ works have not achieved the respect and usefulness the Matthew Henry Commentaries have accomplished, even to this day.” (Encyclopedia Britannica. Eleventh Edition; "Matthew Henry Minister and Bible commentator". Christian Biography Resources. Wholesome words. Retrieved 19 September 2011.)
The ministries God is using today to teach God’s Word around the world are ministries which are devoting time, energy and finances to make sure the Word of God is getting out through modern media, social media and websites. The church must be nonconformist in giving into the world view, stand firm, being totally devoted to the teaching God’s Word. The church devoted, not neglecting their call is overcoming the cancers of denominationalism, legalism, traditionalism and modernism. .
This October, how will you honor the Lord’s gift to the church (Ephesians 4:12) those who are given the charge to preach (2 Timothy 4:2) the Word of God? You honor them by appreciating the Holy Spirit gift they exercise, making and protecting their time. When Christians desire the gift of prophecy, they please the Lord who gave the gift for edifying the children of God.
