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Friday, October 27, 2017

Clergy Appreciation Month: Continuing Our Appreciation


“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy…”  (Philippians 1:3-4 KJV)

October is here a time set aside for appreciating our pastors and all they and their families do—the sacrifices they make to care for the people in their charge.  Of course, we should appreciate them the other eleven months of the year!  October is Clergy Appreciation Month, with this in mind, I will be sharing (with some editing) what I posted the last two Octobers.

To read the previous posts in this series, please see:  Clergy Appreciation Month, Clergy Appreciation Month:  Pastor Appreciation Sunday, Clergy Appreciation Month:  Laity Serving, and Clergy Appreciation Month: Encouragement.

As we come to the end of this month set aside to honor pastors, let us not forget to honor and encourage our pastor and their families the other eleven months of year!  We all need to be encouraged and spurred on as we live in this world.  The same is true for our pastors, and perhaps it is even more so.  Pastors seem to incur more than their fair share of criticism; therefore, words of encouragement are precious as diamonds.    

In the New Testament, we can read how Paul frequently encouraged Timothy (see 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy), in his ministry. 

While Timothy was a young pastor, lacking in self-confidence, needing encouragement to fulfill his calling; the same is true for those responding to their call today—no matter how long they have been pastoring.  Ministry is not an easy road to walk—burn out rates are incredibly high. 

In today’s world, being a pastor is a rewarding, challenging call—sadly, it also sometimes is a thankless job.  You will likely never fully know how much your words of encouragement and support means to your pastor. 

Use your imagination in honoring your pastor and his or her family.  Just be sure to let them know how much you care.  Share a word or two of praise…be creative…it only needs to be heartfelt. 


Personal Photo of  a former pastor and me.



What have you done personally (or what has your church done) to show appreciation to your pastor(s) during this month?

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Lord, as we come to the end of this special month, honoring pastors, help us to remember to encourage and affirm them and their families throughout the year.  Give us nudges through the Holy Spirit to encourage our pastor when needed.  We thank you for our shepherd and family that you have sent us.  Protect them from the attacks of Satan and encourage them.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,


Kim

Special Note: Faith Journey with Kim: Growing in Christ Jesus has a Facebook page.  To get to the site, please click on the grayish text above or here.

4 comments:

  1. Thanks, Kim, for this reminder to always look for opportunities throughout the year to encourage our pastors in their calling. They so need to know how much they are appreciated! And I love the photo of you with Neil. :)
    Love and blessings!

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    1. Martha, you're most welcome for the reminder to encourage our pastors throughout the year. Pastors are indeed human and need encouragement to keep on keeping on--just like the rest of us! I'm glad you like the photo of Neil and me. :)

      Love and blessings!

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  2. Hi Kim! Our church does celebrate our pastor's birthday, and the day he was ordained. But as I've said before, he does so much for all of us, certainly remembering his efforts all year would be a great thing. Just a smile and a 'thank you' would go a great way for his heart, I'm sure.
    Your pastor is lucky to have you in his flock. You have such a heart for those who serve.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ceil! I think it's great for your church to celebrate your pastor's birthday and ordination. You're correct, a smile and a thank you throughout the year would bless him more than you could ever know. Thank you for your kind words about my heart.

      Blessings,

      Kim

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