Appreciating your pastor

Several groups have declared October Pastor Appreciation Month. One that is humorous to me is the Hallmark greeting card company. While Pastor Appreciation Month is a worthy project it just seems a little odd to me that a company that stands to profit from the observance would be promoting it. Just send your pastor money. It is better than a card.

The pastor is God’s man for the church. This is not a sexist statement. Women are gifted to serve in many capacities in the church but the office of pastor is reserved for a man. Some churches have a multiplicity of elders but there is really only one lead elder in the church. Too many examples in Scripture show us that God has “a” man to shepherd the church. The role and responsibility of the pastor is diluted when he becomes an equal among many. The pastor is answerable to God for what he teaches, how he lives and who he is in his home. Being a pastor is not for the weak or wimpy. It calls for the highest level of leadership. I am grateful for the unique calling of the pastor.

Almost 20 years have passed since I was a pastor. I was privileged to pastor some of God’s choicest people. I learned more from my favorite chairman of deacons about ministry than from my seminary education. He taught me how to navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of pastoring people.

During my early years of pastoring I think I received more than I gave. Caring, loving people provided food, money and encouragement when I needed it most. Godly church members supported me through my educational endeavors. Praying intercessors lifted me to the Lord during dark times. I remember scores of church members traveling over 200 miles to attend my dad’s funeral. They wanted to say I love you. Their ministry of presence more than returned the visits that I made.

My wife was not the only one who endured pitiful sermons. Church members listened to sometimes doctrinally questionable messages that had to be corrected later. They occasionally heard rants about personal hobby horses. It is a wonder that I didn’t get voted out of every church. The longsuffering of God’s people is amazing.

Perhaps the most rewarding moment for me as a pastor was when a church member finally got it. They understood what it meant to follow Jesus. They began a walk of faith that would give them victory over a certain sin or that would enable them to follow through with an act of obedience. Pastor appreciation came in those times when the sheep lived out what the under-shepherd had been trying to model and teach.

I now serve the Lord in a different capacity than pastor. I have a pastor I want to honor. He is a good and godly man. He is young enough to be my son yet I respect him for being God’s man. I pray for him regularly. My wife and I express occasionally in a tangible way our gratefulness to God for having a faithful pastor. My wife personally spends time with our pastor’s wife. We are blessed.

You know how to express appreciation. Do something thoughtful. Do something financially helpful. Do something personal. The most important part of pastor appreciation is that you show that you care. Give your pastor the permission to be human. Above all else pray for him to be God’s best for God’s glory.