Appreciating Pastors
For over thirty years October has been observed as Clergy Appreciation Month in the United States. No, it’s not an official holiday like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. But ever since 1992 (thanks to Focus on the Family), it is nationally recognized like Boss Appreciation Day or Administrative Assistant Appreciation Day.
It's Biblical
Interestingly, this call to honor our church leaders’ contributions goes all the way back to the 1st century. As founder of many of the first Christian churches, the Apostle Paul enjoined congregations to give “double honor” to the elders who managed the affairs of the church. He was especially concerned about honoring “those whose work is preaching and teaching” (I Timothy 5:17).
On another occasion, Paul entreated Christian communities to acknowledge those “who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord, and who admonish you.” He encouraged God’s people to hold these leaders “in the highest regard in love because of their work” (I Thessalonians 5:12-13).
It's Personal
You may not have given this any thought, but I can assure you that your pastor has. I was reminded of this in reading an article that came out in Christianity Today magazine:
“Last year a pastor called me on November 1. When I asked my friend how he was doing he said, “Another year, another Pastor Appreciation Month …” his voice trailing off into silence. I knew exactly what he was saying. He wasn’t fishing for compliments or looking to be congratulated, but he couldn’t hide his disappointment. He felt invisible – like his congregation was taking him for granted. “As long as people are pleased,” he told me, “they say nothing.”
Ministry is an amazing call, full of great joys and significant moments in people’s lives: officiating weddings, dedicating children, conducting funerals, providing counsel, offering comfort, and seeing first-hand how lives are changed for Christ.
But – take my word for it – it’s also full of tension and pressure: intense conflict, unrealistic expectations, relational strain, and, at times, soul-aching loneliness.
It’s why leadership guru Peter Drucker said, “Over the years I have made a career out of studying the most challenging management roles out there. After all of that I am now convinced the two most difficult jobs in the world are these – one, to be President of the United States, and two, to be the leader of a church.”
It's Loving
You don’t have to go all-out for Pastor Appreciation Month. You don’t have to throw a big party, invest a great deal of time, or take up a collection to send your pastor on a two-week Caribbean vacation (although I am sure no pastor would complain if you did).
Instead, it’s the little things that matter. As I reflect on my 3+ decades of pastoral leadership, some of the most memorable gifts I received were heartfelt notes that articulated a specific way that I had blessed a person or family.
Many times those notes were accompanied by simple gifts: a tin of gourmet popcorn that I could share with my family, a home-cooked meal that was delivered with a smile, tickets to a hockey game, a bouquet of flowers for my wife.
One man made it his goal to take me out every October for a lunch of chicken wings. Another couple, every year, gave us a gift certificate for a date night. On other occasions, the youth group came over and raked the leaves that had carpeted our lawn.
Small gestures to be sure. But ones that I haven’t forgotten. They reminded me that what I did was, well, appreciated.
Pastors don’t always get ministry things right. They may not preach as well as you prefer, counsel as well as you need, or lead as well as you desire. They know this because they feel such inadequacy deep in their bones and because congregants are often quick to tell them so.
Still, most pastors are trying their best to serve and lead and listen and preach as faithfully as they can.
Everyone needs a little encouragement now and then. That includes your pastor. Why not give it to them this month?
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