This is my word of thanks to all my Pastor Friends, thank you for all you do and are.

On this Sunday, most of you were in your own local fellowship, preaching, teaching, leading, loving you folks and adding to the Kingdom of God.

While some of you have friends that were speaking in conferences or services somewhere in the nation or world—you were at your own local fellowship—Pastoring. Thank you!!!

Most pastors do what they do because they love people and they love God and they want the two to meet. I actually think pastors are incredibly important people.

Here are ten reasons that I believe pastors are important, and why I love working with, and spending time with Pastors.

1. They are developing revolutionaries that will change the world.

2. They challenge their people to move out of the comfortable and press into all the Lord has for them. Reach for your destiny.

3. They remind us that we have a Loving Father, who is always in a good mood and wants the best for us.

4. They model good marriages and families, and remind us on a daily basis what the words “For better or worse” really mean.

5. They bring people together to live and work in community… and remind us that we do not go to church, but that we are the church.

6. They believe in a GOD that heals hurting and broken people… and they grow a community of believers that stand with one another and love one another into Fathers arms.

7. They bring the presence and the power and the healing hand of God into the darkest and painful circumstances….and remind us that according to the word, we are over comers AND not overcome.

8. Most of them realize that we are not called to build another religious castle on another corner of the city,  but are called to build God’s kingdom, and have a Kingdom mentality.

9. They put up with our crap.

10.  I love Pastors because my wife and I are pastors (for over 35 years) and have seen and heard the wonderful hearts and dreams and visions of most of these dedicated and remarkable men  and women.

So, as you were in your own fellowship this morning, sharing with and encouraging tens or hundreds of folks—just know you are loved and appreciated by many—especially me.

Rich Oliver

Overseer

The River