Regardless if pastors are famous or not, they are to be honoured doubly.  The blessings of a congregation flow from the head down.  If your pastor is not abundantly blessed how can the sheep be?  The word honour means high respect; esteem; adherence to what is right or to a conventional standard of conduct : 2 a privilege  • an exalted position • a thing conferred as a distinction, esp. an official award for bravery or achievement : the highest military honors. • ( honors) a special distinction for proficiency in an examination : a title of respect given to or used in addressing a judge or a mayor. or your pastor.

Mike, I understand the deeper meaning of the kind jesture toward your pastor, however, I simply wanted to point out the need for honouring the men of God in each of our lives.  As a pastor, I must say we do not always get enough encouragement and support.  Even pastors who are in the limelight need our support because after all they are representing Christ.  I am so glad that I have not had to endure the mean-spirited words against pastors in a while. You are a wise man for sharing the kind things about your pastor.  I always say, the only way to know a man of God is to be Godly.  Okay, enough, "DR has left the pulpit."

Shalom, ~DR 

I totally agree with Mike here===>I wouldn't say that all pastors fit his mold, but I would say a great many do, perhaps even most. And definitely, way more than some people (here on MyChurch unfortunately, and elsewhere) allow for. People who criticize pastors they don't even know and have never met discourages me greatly, and it reveals those who know God far less than they might claim to.

I have been "inside" the church and functioning from the outside. My calling has been to equip the saints wherever they may be. That takes finances and resources.  As an individual or a small group you can only do so much. As a large group you can do so much more. Not saying the small groups don't have their place...just saying I found I could be so much more effective with a larger organization. 

IMHO, it takes humility to be a servant leader. Some have it. Sounds like Mike's pastor is there.

My pastor is also not rich.

I chuckle at this because our pastor not that long ago got a comment because a cop came by and asked if a car in the church parking lot was abandoned.  It of course was our pastor's. :)

Now granted there was an issue with it at the time and it wasn't normally in the shape it was in, but he got a huge kick out of that. 

Aren't we so blessed when God leads us to His servants who can best teach us at that point in our lives?  I, too, have a lot of respect for the everyday pastors, as those are the men & women who have helped me grow as a Christian along my journey.  But I firmly believe that God calls different people for different purposes....some are made to proclaim the Word in the spotlight, others are made to serve in smaller circles.  As my own pastor says, God created life and He alone gets to define it.  Though we may not understand our Lord's reasoning, but He always has a plan for those He has chosen.  I am not in any way undermining your point, because it is heartbreaking to hear about people taking advantage of their gifts.

As for your points about preaching about money, I do want to disagree...slightly.   There is a HUGE difference between preaching & teaching about tithing and asking for money.  Our tithe is giving to God and the church what is rightly His, in order for Him to provide us with what we need.  While it is saddening to see a man or woman of God take advantage of their position for personal gain, I have heard several pastors preach about tithing and their point was always to teach people how to follow God's commands and trust in Him that He will always provide, no matter what.  Tithing is important, it is God's law, and all people, including Christian, need to be reminded of that so that they can serve God in ALL areas of their life.  I only wish some people who think churches are just after money could hear one of the messages I have....