Pastor – you are valuable – really!

God tells pastors to, “Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season.” 2 Timothy 4:2

Let me tell you how my first pastor did it.

When I was 16 a friend of mine invited me to his church. 
I had not gone to an evangelical church before. I still remember what the pastor preached about. 
It was the subject of Faith. I understood it.
He preached the Word in season in church.
I continued to go and listen. He was not polished but he was sincere.

That summer my friend invited me to help with Vacation Bible School. 
He told me we would be in the class with the older kids and be in charge of the refreshments. 
I was in!  Who taught the class? The Pastor did. 
He preached the Word in season at VBS. 

He talked about heaven and how to get there. 
He said if we were sure we were going to heaven to sign a sheet. 
I wasn’t sure.  I asked if he would explain how to get to heaven. 
He preached the Word to me in season in his 1956 Chevrolet. 
Right there I opened my life to Jesus. 

Sometime after that he discovered that I wanted to learn to drive – remember – I am 16. 
My parents didn’t want to teach me. The pastor took many hours and taught me how to drive. 
He preached the Word out of season as he taught me to drive.

He taught my friend also. On one occasion my friend started the pastor’s car and jammed
down on the gas pedal while turning the key — until the engine raced to a loud roar and died. 
The engine was shot! The pastor didn’t tell his parents.  
He preached the Word out of season by taking a second job driving a school bus to pay for the new engine. 

I will be in heaven because of that pastor. I am a pastor now.
Pastor, you are important today to the people in your church. 
Continue to preach the Word in and out of season. God is pleased with you today.