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To the Editor:
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Not just in October but every month we should appreciate and honor our pastor the Bible teaches. In this time of COVID 19 it is more stressful and harder than ever to be a pastor. We have less unity than ever in America because of disagreement over pandemic policies and political divisions. Pastors face enormous pressure to fill pews, minimize conflict and keep focus on the essentials. As someone said the church must have unity in the essentials (gospel and love for Jesus) and liberty (freedom) in the non-essentials and love in all things. 
The Bible says in everything give thanks. The Bible says in the last days people would be unthankful. 1Thessalonians 5 says, “We beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” God never removes His calling, so a pastor is never out to pasture. Pastors in nursing homes can pastor their nursing home. Churches can have their pastors’ pictures put in the Elizabethton Star to recognize and honor them.
At one time Christian pastors were the most respected leaders in America. Pastor John Witherspoon was one of the most respected leaders in the founding of America. Pastor James Garfield was elected president in 1880. As a result of major media and Hollywood demonizing Christian pastors and churches and America’s social and moral decay, respect for pastors and churches have declined to shockingly low levels in America. Every year in American churches and their parking lots there are robberies, and attacks some ending in death. It’s more important than ever to secure our automobiles, homes and even churches! It’s wise to have two people assigned to security at every church.
The Bible says in 2John 1:12 “having many things to write unto you I would not write with paper and ink (computer) but I trust to come unto you and speak face to face that our joy may be full.” The Bible says some face to face assembly is required. The Bible in Hebrews 10 says not to forsake going to church especially as you see the return of Jesus approaching. We can see the return is close with all the record earthquakes, record hurricanes and record volcanoes. More and greater earthquakes and asteroids are coming. It’s a dangerous time to live on an earthquake fault or on the coast. It’s a dangerous time to live in a big city because lawlessness is increasing as the Bible says it would. Like the days of Lot in the Bible America now has an evil mob mentality in some cities. The Bible says evil places will be turned into Hell and we are seeing it in California with all the fires and smoke. The smoke from California and other western states has traveled thousands of miles to Elizabethton. Increased fire and smoke is a sign of the end days according to Acts 2 and Joel 2. 
It’s most important to secure our souls and be prepared to meet God. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died and has her place in history. However it’s far better to have your place in Heaven. A century from now it won’t matter what kind of house we lived in, how much money we had, or how many friends we had on Facebook. It will only matter that we repented (turned from unbelief to belief) and had saving faith (turned to Jesus and trusted Jesus only as Savior) and believe the gospel that Jesus died for our sins was buried and rose again. Call 1-888-need-him. Because having a relationship with Jesus is all that matters. There’s no other profession except Christian pastors touching people in such a vital way and with such lasting impact, since eternity goes on forever!  
In fact, God gives a Shepherd’s Crown (Crown of Glory) only to faithful ministers (1 Peter 5. We thank pastors who obey Galatians  6:9 “Let us not grow weary of going good.” All Christians are to spread the gospel and be soul winners and work for unity in the church. Alexis de Tocqueville in his 1835 book on American society said the number one factor contributing to America’s success was the positive impact of Christianity and pastors! Even Charles Murray an agnostic and libertarian in his book, “Human Accomplishment” found that Christianity underlies most of human accomplishment in the world. For positive impact Jesus reigns supreme!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton