Pstor Tolan Morgan’s Eighth Anniversary
The Value of Our Shepherd – Priceless!!
Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17 NLT
Reading 1 Timothy 5:17 from the New Living Translation really addresses the elephant in the room – how valuable is our shepherd?
In 1997, Mastercard launched a beautiful TV commercial that captured the hearts of people around the world. This was the introduction of Priceless, showcasing enduring moments in life that money cannot buy, and shining a light on what is truly priceless. And it became an instant hit. Mastercard.com/news Oct 25, 2022
If you and I were asked to highlight the main events in our spiritual life over the last eight years, I’m sure we would emphasize several “priceless” moments brought to us not by Master Card, but by Pastor Morgan.
Since the pen is in my hand, I’ll give you my brief limited list.
Preaching and Teaching the Word of God. Sunday and Wednesday are more than days of fellowship one with another. We worship! We give praise! We feast on the Word!
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1 KJV
Comfort for the Bereaved. This year we are celebrating forty-three years as a church family. As a family, we are growing older and getting younger at the same time. As I’ve witnessed God call many of our Shipmates home, I’ve also witnessed/experienced the comfort of an anointed shepherd. Pastor Morgan ensures that when you walk away from a homegoing celebration, you know that death has no sting –death really is a transition from the land of the dying to the land of the living.
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 1 Thess 4:13 NIV
Compassion for the Community. Last year Pastor Morgan initiated a community service program titled, Fellowship ACTS (Affecting the Community Through Service). In short, at least once per month, one or more ministries intentionally satisfy a need in the local community. The amazing thing is, our Pastor has given us the latitude to identify those community needs and use our spiritual gifts, God given talents and skills to address them. Jesus introduced His ministry by addressing the needs of the people.
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matt 25:36 NIV
The Message of Salvation. In all situations, occasions, circumstances and events, the Message of Salvation is heard. A preacher of the Gospel can do nothing other than, Preach the Gospel. Our pastor is not shame to be a preacher of the Gospel.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 KJV
On a Personal Note. I am not as “bullet proof” as many may think. I wrestle with the same obstacles and demons as everyone. I cringe when I think about the evil and injustice in this world. But my concern is not as much for me, it’s for my household. It’s for all of those special people in my life –whether they live under my roof or not.
As much as I would like to, I cannot fix all their problems, heal all of their hurts, and protect them from the evil in the world. My only comfort and hope come from the Word of God that is taught and reinforced each week by the Man of God. He reminds me that God is able.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV
When I think things over and consider how blessed we are to have Pastor Morgan as our shepherd, my conclusion is:
Priceless!!!
By: Henry L. Hopson, Jr.
