Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? Yep, it was started back in the 90’s by well, no one’s quite sure who initially came up with the idea. Apparently there’s still some squabbling about who to credit and some say a tell-all book is due out next year called, I Don’t Get No Appreciation.
Thankfully, Focus on the Family decided to promote the month and the practice. As a result many church leaders got blessed and even surprised with special gifts, comments and even time off. I was the recipient of some of those kind gestures and they meant a lot.
So, right now you’re thinking that I want to prop up or even restart the fall tradition of thanking and blessing pastors and others in ministry leadership. And yes, I was thinking, why not give every pastor a Get Out Of A Church Event Or Meeting Free punch card that lets skip a church obligation seven (biblical number) times each year.
“ Hey pastor, see you at the Men’s Retreat this weekend?” “Uh, well, John, no you won’t. See I’ve still got several punches left on my card and frankly I didn’t feel like going anyway, so maybe another time.”
Alright, I’m just kidding. Maybe three punches would be enough. But actually my vlog today isn’t really about pastor appreciation anyway, though that’s a good thing to do. I hope you will.
But I want to encourage us to go a lot farther on the appreciation trail. What if we made appreciation something we just do as we live life for everyone. Yes, people in ministry do sacrifice a lot. They don’t just work on Sundays.
But there are people all around us, pretty much everywhere, who would love someone to notice that what they do is appreciated. My hunch is that some of you reading this or listening to me right now long for that. You know we say that when something grows in value it appreciates.
That can happen in people who are told they’re valued.
I Thessalonians 4:11 says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you already are doing.” Sounds like a pretty natural, every day kind of challenge to me.
Hebrews 10:24, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”
So let me suggest some both obvious and not so obvious people who would no doubt value your appreciation.
Family members, of course. It’s so easy to live on cruise-control with them.
The server and table cleaners at your favorite restaurant.
The greeter at the big box store you frequent.
The pilots and flight attendants on your next flight.
A neighbor or other friend handling a tough schedule, lots of kids and many demands.
The volunteer (s) at church who faithfully carries out their role with a great attitude, consistency and joy.
The delivery person or persons who bring you your packages so many time each week including the mail.
Your kids’ teachers, coaches, church leaders, crossing guards, bus drivers, etc.
Doctors, nurses, other staff who care for you or your kids.
Missionaries on the other side of the world who faithfully minister to the struggling and share the Gospel under some very challenging conditions.
The list is impossibly long but not with each of us doing a little or a few.
How? What might we do? That’s your call. But what if we also made impact by HOW we showed our appreciation? A couple of ideas . . .
In front of others?
With a gift card?
A hand-written note or card instead of an email?
An invite to dinner?
Meeting a need by doing a project or chore for them?
Calling them on the phone?
Asking how you can pray for them?
Helping them do what they do and enjoying it with them.
Providing resources – money, supplies, fun – to help them refuel.
The options are many. We only need to do a little and together more people (including your pastor) can feel like they matter and someone with skin on actually noticed. Who knows, you might have given them the strength to go on, even beyond October.
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