This month is highlighted as Pastor Appreciation month.  A time of reflection and blessing of the one who has fed you throughout the year.  Typically this is for a church congregation to plan, and sneak around gathering bloopers of the Pastor throughout the year for almost a “roast” so to speak.  And then after the church family has had their fun it’s a time of reflection and blessing.

Here at AccessN2Grace I want to express my appreciation for the various ministries and ministers that brought new light into a dark world and are also restoring the value of Calvary.  So many have forgotten what Jesus has done for us.  Much was accomplished on the cross and completed for all time.    Our healing and forgiveness have been paid for.   Everything that Jesus died for has been done.   When we sin, Jesus doesn’t go back to the cross and he for sure doesn’t want us to beg forgiveness from him.  He’s already done it.

“You’ve already Got it”  has been a life changing message for many this year.   I’ve heard many ministries this year turn around and get on the other side of the cross.   We are no longer waiting for Jesus to finish his work.   Jesus has done all he is going to do so it is time for us to step around on the other side and accept the finished work.   Even Jesus himself declared “It is finished!”

I will admit that it was the minister Creflo Dollar that arrested my attention. I’ll look to see which message it was but he was asking the congregation about praying for others and prayer chains.  He asked a question and I was half listening to him.  The congregation and me answered yes and then he said “NO”.   I shut everything down that  I was doing and backed up the video and listened.  Wow!  what a revelation.

During my research this year, I have stumbled across Andrew Wommack.   I have really enjoyed his teachings.  I’ve listened to old ones and new ones that you can download for free.  At one point in his life many years ago he and his wife could not afford teaching.  Which is so sad.  I wish I could have been there to buy it for them and I wonder if there isn’t someone somewhere kicking themselves for being prompted to buy it for them but they didn’t.    I truly appreciate Andrew Wommack Ministries and the Charis Christian Center in Colorado.  It is very refreshing to hear teaching about what Jesus has done for us and is readily available for us.

I also stumbled across Joan Hunter Ministries during my research.  Her parents were the “Happy Hunters” let me tell you..I know what made them Happy and everyone else who attended their meetings.    Joan is continuing in her parents footsteps and let me tell you people are Happy that attend the meetings.  I had the pleasure of attending one of her meetings live and I was truly amazed at how easy people’s lives were changed.  People were crying and yelling and so happy that they could do things they could not do before entering the building.   If I could imagine Jesus just walking around doing good and healing the sick.    That was what she did.   No push downs, no yelling no screaming  no “working up the anointing” just a simple ask the person what is wrong and then watch Jesus fix it.  Now that was cool to watch.

My slant for Pastor Appreciation is to bless those that feed you.   If your local church Pastor feeds you then by all means bless his socks off.  But, don’t forget the ministries that offer free materials and television broadcasts/podcasts  that you feed on everyday or weekly.

One more thing…don’t wait til October every year to be a blessing to your Pastor and the other ministries that feed you.  And don’t wait for your Pastor to ask for help.  They won’t.  They are trusting God for their personal needs so they won’t ask.

Just found out today that a local pastor didn’t have enough money for shoes for himself and his kids.  What a shocker!!!   You really want to bless your Pastor…take him shopping or take his wife and kids shopping for an outfit or two.      With what I am learning a certain % of offerings go to fees etc.  If you want to bless your Pastor directly without any of  the money going somewhere else.  skip the tax deduction and give him cash or fill up his car the next time you meet him at the gas station. Buy his lunch when you see him out at a restaurant.    Each church/denomination have their own systems some may give the Pastor all the Pastor appreciation offering.  Find out what your church does. This also pertains to traveling ministers not all of the offerings may be given to him or her.  As much as 20% or more  may be deducted  by the host church for their expenses.  Each church/denomination are different.  Find out what your church does and maybe give your traveling minister a good Andrew Jackson handshake if a large portion of the offering goes to cover church expenses.

Finally,  letting your Pastor know that you “hear” him or her and you are getting their messages.  One of the most frustrating things is working all week long on a message for the people and then wondering if anyone is getting it.

(Word to Pastors here:  If your people are falling asleep preach something that will keep them awake.  There is nothing about Jesus or his ministry that is something to snooze about.  Preach something worth listening to.)

To the rest of us, ministers rarely hear “That made an impression on me that is life changing.”    One sentence I will gladly say to  Creflo Dollar ministries, Andrew Wommack Ministries, Joan Hunter Ministries, Bill Winston Ministries, Jim Hockaday Ministries, Charis Christian Center, and Joseph Prince Ministries.    I wish I could say thanks to those who went before us in the 1800’s and 1950’s. To all of you Thanks so much and it’s coming back.   It is refreshing that some of those great teachings are still circulating today.  I don’t know how all these candles were shoved under buckets but the Word is coming back and we are awakening to all that Jesus has done.

It’s not about U or what U do, it’s about what Jesus has done 4 U.