When the Apostle Paul wrote to his protégé, Timothy, he told him to count those who “labor in word and doctrine” worthy of “double honor.”
Perhaps with that verse in mind, the faith-based organization Focus on the Family designated October as “Clergy Appreciation Month” in 1994. Eventually, people designated the second Sunday of the month as “Pastor Appreciation Day.”
Though that day — Oct. 8 this year — came and went, and though the month will soon slip away as well, Christians can still appreciate their pastors any day and month of the year, and to help, I’ve accumulated ideas from both pastors in Wells County, pastors in other states and online.
Thanks again, pastors, preachers and pulpit pounders (though I know you pound in love).
For those of us who sit in the pews supporting our ministers there are some things that we can do throughout the week and while we worship that would support the ministry. The use of the acronym PEW is an easy way to remember these tips.
P – Pray for the ministers and their families; pray God’s truth will be expounded from our pulpits in truth and sincerity.
E – Engage in Kingdom work; Esteem our brothers and sisters even if we think differently.
W – Worship with not only our words and song but our hearts and lives.
Small things are appreciated….a handwritten card or note of encouragement….a text with a specific prayer for the family…..maybe a short note with a specific way a sermon or counseling blessed that person.
Love God and love people. Some use people to gain things. Christians should use things to gain people (make disciples).
If you are going to have a dinner or banquet, make sure that it works well in his schedule.
The website parsonage.org — part of Focus on the Family’s ministry to pastors and families — also suggests the following:
Plan a special appreciation service during normal worship times, particularly on the second Sunday of the month.
Provide a testimony time during worship service.
Write a letter to the newspaper (see page four in today’s Banner to learn how).
Urge Sunday school students to create appreciation messages.
Plant a tree or shrub to honor a pastor.
Invite the extended family of the pastor to visit (and pay or help pay for any costs).
Schedule special prayer sessions.
Present the pastor with a packet of personal-service coupons entitling him to free lawn service, child care or similar blessings.
Distribute quilt squares to church members and ask each of them to personalize a square for the pastor.
Prepare a “Sunshine Jar” for the pastor and his family and fill it with notes containing his favorite verses and encouraging thoughts.
Finally, the web site Christianity.com provides the following prayer. No doubt pastors don’t want their congregation to simply recite someone else’s words without investing their heart into those words, but perhaps this prayer will help Christians who might otherwise struggle to remember to pray.
“Dear God, We pray for our pastors to be encouraged. We ask that you would minister to them and give them a deeper sense of hope. Send laborers into their lives to extend needed help, support, and friendship. We pray that they and their families would be protected and covered by the precious blood of Jesus. May our pastors be restored and refreshed during this time.
“We pray, Lord, that our pastors would not be discouraged, or afraid, or grow weary. But instead that you would uplift their spirits, encourage them in their trials, and recharge them when they are feeling overwhelmed. We ask that you would help them to put their hope in you and that you would in return renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). We thank you for our pastors, Lord, and all the work they do for your kingdom.
“We pray for our pastors to have motivation and vision, that ministries would continue to launch and thrive, and that pastors would not lose one opportunity to serve and minister. We ask that you would help our pastors have a greater reach and that our churches would be a beacon of light and hope throughout the world. We pray that pastors would have perseverance and come through this season with new insights and more inspiration.
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