Remembering my pastor

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Living with joy”

Our Bible verse for today: “As for me, I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.” 1 Samuel 12:23 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Remembering my pastor”

I hesitate to write this devotional message because being a pastor myself, it could seem self-serving. But it’s really not intended that way. Instead, it’s an effort on my part to remember and honor a man who the Lord used to have a tremendous positive influence in my life. His name was Oren Teel and he was my pastor.

Traditionally, the second Sunday in October is celebrated as “Pastor Appreciation Day.” It’s the day that congregations across the land recognize and honor their pastor for his service to them. It’s also the day each year when I pause to remember Oren and Louise Teel and to thank God for the way He used them in mine and Linda’s lives.

Oren was the man who baptized Linda and I. Oren and Louise were the ones who taught me how to be a pastor and Linda how to be a pastor’s wife. Beyond that, our own parents and families were all on the east coast and we were in California, so we seldom got to see them. Therefore, Oren and Louise essentially adopted us. I used to call Louise my west-coast mother.

Yesterday I mentioned how it is that every Friday I pray for the members of our congregation individually, by name (in the tradition of 1 Samuel 12:23). That’s a lesson I learned from Oren. It was also Oren and Louise who taught Linda and I that a church is a family and it should be characterized by love. Oren once told me, “Jim, just love the people. They will overlook mistakes, forgive bad preaching, and even put up with your ugly ties – as long as they know you love them.”

Many years ago, I constructed a statement which I believe captures the essence of the example Oren set for me and which has guided my thinking ever since regarding the nature of good and healthy church life. I wrote it down and have kept it in my Bible for decades. It reads, “We must think in terms of church family. The health of a family is not measured in numbers but in things like love, unity, good character traits, and maturity.”

Hilltop Baptist Church was not a big church but it was a good church – a healthy church. So is Oak Hill Baptist (which I am the pastor of today). In many respects, the two churches are very similar. Oren’s strong leadership and godly character were influential in that church all those years ago, and his influence is still making an impact in this church today through my ministry.

Oren was a good man who served the Lord and His people well for his entire adult life. Today I’m remembering my pastor.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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