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By Chuck Lawless 

Today, I want to honor those God-called shepherds who’ve inspired and encouraged me for more than fifty years. As I think of these leaders, here’s what comes to mind:

Thank you, pastor, for your faithfulness even through the tough times. Your willingness to endure even when ministry is hard encourages us to do the same. We need that help.

Thank you for preaching the Word even when it’s unpopular. The world needs a clear, consistent, convictional voice right now, and yours has been one of those voices. You have stood on the Word, even if you’ve had to stand alone.

Thank you for loving us. You might have a large flock of sheep to love, but you care for us indvidually as much as possible. We are grateful.

Thank you for rejecting temptations that could have cost you your ministry. For every one pastor who has fallen morally, there are many more who’ve effectively fought the enemy’s arrows to remain uncompromisingly faithful. You are one.

Thank you for being a prayer warrior we know prays for us. It’s one thing to say you’ll pray when we share a need; it’s another thing to prioritize doing it. We’re grateful you spend much time in your prayer closet—where there is no recognition.

Thank you for serving obediently and cheerfully, sometimes in seemingly obscure places where no one knows you’re there. You’ve prepared for many years, often earned more than one degree, and have much to offer, but God has sometimes called you to a small, out-of-the-way church that won’t be a feature story anytime soon—and still, you serve Him with joy.

Thank you for being gutsy enough to confront us in our sin. We may not have appreciated it enough at the time, but we’ve learned your motive was only love and concern. You risked losing our support because you wanted us to walk in godliness. We are humbled.

Thank you for being there—or for making sure someone was there—in our own toughest times. Few people have the access to our lives like our pastors do—from birth to death, and at every major crisis in between those events. You’ve been a rock for us at times.

Thank you for loving your family well. We who live in a fractured world desperately need examples like you. Your spouse and your children honor you, and so do we. Thank you.

Thank you for modeling for us the work of evangelism even if we don’t always reflect your zeal. The task of evangelizing isn’t always easy for us, so it’s good to know and see your commitment to telling others about Jesus. Keep challenging us.

Thank you for keeping us focused in these strange days. Everything seems to be changing around us, but you keep us grounded in God’s Word. We need that anchor.

Thank you for humbly accepting our appreciation. We know it’s awkward when someone praises you: you don’t want to be arrogant, but it’s still sweet to get affirmation. We want to show our gratitude to you, however, so thanks for allowing us.

I thank God for you, pastor.