The Greatest Preacher in the Pentecostal Movement...

[deacon blues]

...is your pastor!

When you hear the Huntley's, the Tenney's, the Arnold's, the Graham's, the Booker's, the White's, etc. preaching, you are hearing "the best of". They are preaching first what they feel God is giving them to preach, but also usually a message that worked for them at home, then at another meeting then another.

Seriously, I heard Huntley over a stretch of several years and heard "We Ain't Drunk As We 'Posed To Be" three different times. Great message, even after the third time.

But your local pastor, week in and week out has to preach something brand new and fresh sometimes three times a week. Your pastor has to preach with the knowledge gleaned from counseling sessions in his mind, what he is observing in people's lives, information passed on to him by someone else or things he hears but he preaches on with conviction and obedience. He knows that some messages may end up pushing people away from his leadership and ministry, but he preaches on knowing he has heard from the Lord. He endures jokes about being "longwinded" or goes weeks being taken for granted, but he preaches on seeking the praise of God and not of men.

The local pastor is your shepherd, and like the Chief Shepherd he is willing to give his life for the sheep. His preaching is practiced before your very eyes every time you are sick and he's at the hospital praying for you. His sermons come to life with every act of benevolence he exercises, with every act of mercy and compassion he shows, with every phone call, conversation, smile, greeting, pat on the shoulder, prayer in the altar, and note in the mail.

You know he's praying for you. He's watching out for your soul. He's a God-given servant dedicating his life to help you grow in God and lead you and your family to abundant life in Jesus Christ.

Thank God for the Camp Evangelists! Thank God for the Conference Preachers! Thank God for the great orators He has given us in our movement! Thank God for anointed and talented preachers in our fellowship!

But there will never be a greater preacher in your life than your pastor.