♦O 15, 2020

Montgomery Bap st Priori es: We will priori ze the…

 Gospel above all by mee ng human need and plan ng gospel seed
 Star ng and replan ng of churches for all people
 Equipping and sending of pastors and missionaries to the River Region and the ends of the earth.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month
The elders who direct the affairs of the church
well are worthy of double honor, especially those
whose work is preaching and teaching.
1 Timothy 5:17
In 1992, many Christ-followers, led by H.B.
London, then vice president of Church and Clergy
for Focus on the Family, officially designated
October of every year as “Pastor Appreciation
Month.” The idea quickly spread into all Christian
Neal Hughes
Director of Missions world sectors and now has become a familiar and
honored tradition. Outside of one’s love for Christ
and their family, perhaps the most admired people on the face of the
earth for most believers are the pastor and staff of their church. With
pleasure, duty, and honor, we strive to pray for them daily, encourage
our pastors regularly, and honor them occasionally for their service to
the kingdom.
Dr. Chuck Lawless is Dean of Doctoral Studies and vice-president of
Spiritual Formation and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Seminary
in Wake Forest, NC, where he also serves as professor of Evangelism
and Missions. He is the team leader for Theological Education
Strategists for the International Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention. He writes a daily blog that you should have (sign
up at http://chucklawless.com/blog/). In his October 6 blog, Chuck
shares twenty-five ideas to show gratitude to your pastor and staff
during Pastor Appreciation Month 2020. I have listed a few here in
this column:
1. Give your pastor and his family a weekend getaway. Give them
a break on somebody else’s nickel – and make sure that the time is
not counted as a vacation!
2. Prepare a notebook of “thank you” notes or a compilation of
family video recordings, saying, “thank you.” I still have and
cherish a notebook of letters that folks wrote to me as their pastor.
3. Give him time and funds to participate in a conference he
wants to attend. Even if he already receives a conference benefit,
increase it for this year.
4. Set aside a special day to honor his wife. If you really want to
make your pastor happy, focus on his wife instead. A great day for
her is an excellent day for him.
5. When travel allows again, give him a trip to Israel. Your pastor
will never approach the Bible or the pulpit the same way after
walking in the Holy Land.
6. Commit to paying his costs to earn a doctoral degree. Make a
long-term commitment to help your shepherd get that degree he
wants.
7. Give him and his family a local gym membership. Because you
appreciate them, help them live longer by staying in shape.
8. Commit to praying for him daily—and then be sure to do it. Let
him know you are doing it, too. He will be grateful.
Mary and I deeply love you and are blessed to be on mission with
each of you.
Together We Can!
Neal

Executive Board
October 26, 11:30 a.m.
RSVP by October 21
tmoment@mgmbaptists.org
Engaged Christian
2877 McGehee Road

Annual Homecoming
November 2, 4:30 p.m.
Messengers Only
Taylor Road Baptist
1685 Taylor Road—Fellowship Suite
Montgomery Baptist Association • 20 Interstate Park Dr. • Montgomery, Alabama 36109 • 334-271-6227 • www.mgmbaptists.org
This publication is made possible by your churches’ contributions to Associational Missions.