Pastor Appreciation Day Thoughts

(Bible study by John Myers)

Cruden’s Concordance says the original meaning of the word pastor used in the Bible is shepherd. The shepherd must protect and feed his sheep – so there is a derived meaning of spiritual leader, minister and one given charge of a church of Christ, to care for spiritual interests of the people and feed their souls with spiritual food.

Jeremiah 3:14-15 says: “Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds (pastors in the KJV) according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Another term for pastor in the Bible is elder, as found in 1 Timothy 5:17: “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”

Galatians 6:6 tells us what our responsibility as sheep is toward our pastor/shepherd: “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.”

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 tells us that a pastor’s sheep can share one of his crowns: “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”

Submit Bible questions by email to writeme@johnwmyers.com

(John Myers has been a Christian lay speaker, Sunday School adult teacher and newspaper Bible study columnist for more than 25 years.)