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SUCCESS...

"To be successful is

to be helpful, caring,

and constructive-

To make everything

you touch a little bit better.

The best thing you

have to give is

yourself."

Norman Vincent Peale

"FAILURE to stand

for what is morally

right is the prelude

to being the victim of

what is criminally

wrong"

"Zig" Ziglar

IT IS TIME TO THINK ABOUT HONORING OUR PASTORS

Guest Commentary

Courtesy Bill Ellis

Syndicated Columnist

For many years, October has been the month when churches across the United States

and, I assume, other parts of the

world honor their pastors in a variety

of ways.

There was once a pastor at Peoples

Church of God, Decatur, Illinois, who

served that great church for more

than 25 years. They honored him, his

wife and children in numerous ways.

He confesses to being overwhelmed

by the kindness and generosity of both the church and community.

A grateful church and community will inspire a pastor to be on duty 24-7, available around the clock, to serve others in every way possible through the church and in the market place. The pastors I have known were men and women who always put themselves second to the needs of others.

Since I was a young teenager, pastors have been very important in helping me make correct decisions. Pastor Luther Mays led me in the process of making the all-important choice as to how I really wanted to live.

Pastors John L. Shinn and O. F. Haynes were extremely helpful in understanding my vocational calling. Pastor Mark Haynie directed me with great wisdom to choose the right college.

During my college years, there were some tough days wrestling with studies, grades, finances and discouragement. Pastors W. Dale Oldham and Ivan P. Alls were absolutely priceless in guiding me through those years.

I was determined there would be no wedding until after college so I never came close to taking that important step, that life-altering step, until college was in the past and three years of graduate study well underway. Then it happened. I met the most beautiful and most talented young lady I had ever seen. Two years later we were married and continue to live with happiness after many years.

During those courtship years I sought advice, guidance and wisdom from my pastors and their wives about marriage and the family. They were there again to help me. People like Forrest and Margaret Ashcraft, Dale and Polly Oldham, Robert and Jerry Reardon, Gene and Agnes Newberry, Adam and Grace Miller, Harold and Thelma Boyer, Ivan and Osie Alls, Joe and Lou Espey. I must have believed there was strength and wisdom in numbers. And there were others who loved us, prayed for us and helped us.

Dale Oldham and Hillery Rice were with us when our two little babies were dedicated to the Lord and committed to the loving care of the church more than 40 years ago. When death came to our parents, our pastors were with us in our hours of sorrow. Pastors like George Newell, Mark Haynie, Don McCowan, Arlo Newell and others who supported us when we needed them.

For more than 13 years our pastoral supporters were Ken and Debi Toler and now for the last few months we have looked to Arley and Ruby Cravens.

It is hard for me to imagine life without a pastor on whose strong arm and stout heart I could safely lean. In life, from the beginning to the end, our pastors are probably the most important people in our lives.

It makes sense that the church where we worship find new, enjoyable and helpful ways to express our deep gratitude for our pastor. God “ . . . gave some to be pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11). The Bible says, “ . . . the laborer is worthy of his hire” (Luke 10:7) and then some. Allow the "then some" part of life to be directed in abundance toward your pastors during the month of October and, no doubt, you will enjoy it so much you will learn to appreciate your pastor more every day.