Pastor Appreciation Month

            In recent years,  the month of October has been promoted as Pastor Appreciation Month.    I am not sure why the month of October was picked to show appreciation to clergy.  Holidays are special times when we remember people or things that we should remember all the time.  Just as it is important to express our gratitude (for example)  to mothers and fathers on their annual days, I believe it is also important to remember and celebrate the myriad of things that pastors do in our communities, in our churches, and for us as individuals and families.   I have never used my blog as a forum to express thoughts about Pastor Appreciation Month in the past, but feel led to do so now even though some might see this blog as an indirect way to get praise for myself.

            Few people really know the hard work that most pastors do.  Most people only see the tip of the iceberg of the duties of the pastor as they sit in the pew or are on the receiving end of the pastor’s note… prayer… visit… or attendance at a community event or church event.    There are even some who kiddingly or unkiddingly  contend that pastors only work an hour or so  a week as they see the pastor only at a Sunday worship service.    Like the people who are in the pews,  no pastors are perfect but most pastors care deeply about the congregations they serve, the communities in which they live, and the God they love.   

            There are many things you could do for the Pastors in your community and in your life during Pastor Appreciation Month.     I want to encourage two things that are easily affordable and cost just a little of yourself and your time.    First, I encourage you to pray for your pastor not just in October, but regularly.  Pray for your pastor as you pray for other community, state, and national leaders.        Pray your pastor and their family if they have one.  Pray for your pastor as they seek to share the gospel message in word and deed.    Ephesians 6:19 puts it this way:  ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,    Pray also for your pastor that “The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—  the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might,  the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—  (see Isaiah 11:2).

            Secondly, I encourage you to take time this month to send your pastor  a note, a card, an email, or even a text message.   It does not cost much money to do such things.    Let the pastors in your lives  know you appreciate them and tell them why.     As one of friend of mine likes to say, “everyone appreciates being appreciated.”        I know from personal experience that pastoral ministry can sometimes be lonely and sometimes you don’t know if you are making a difference or not.   Tell your pastor they are and they have in your life .  They will be glad you did, and you will also.      Have a joy-filled week.--  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God, thank you for the pastor in my church and the pastors in my community.  I thank you for the pastors that you have used through the years to touch my life and heart.   Bless these pastors, O God, that they might be faithful leaders of the body of Christ, the Church;  through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.