October is Pastor Appreciation Month!
Pastors and their families live under incredible pressures. Their lives are played out in a fishbowl, with the entire congregation and community watching their every move. They are expected to have ideal families, to be perfect people, to always be available, to never be down and to have all the answers we need to keep our own lives stable and moving forward. Those are unrealistic expectations to place on anyone, yet most of us are disappointed when a pastor becomes overwhelmed, seems depressed, lets us down or completely burns out.
That’s why God has instructed us to recognize His servants.
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).
Please pray for your Pastor and the family.
Show the love of Jesus Christ to your Pastor and the family.
Encourage your Pastor and the family.
Pictured at very top is myself with Deacon Dennis from the First Baptist Church of Reserve and Pastor Johnny!
Also I am pictured with Deacon Charles and his angel wife Joan of the First Baptist Church of Reserve.
I love all the folks in Reserve!
Let me share with you this post……..it has gotten a lot of reads this month! It is from our dear Sister in Christ, Karen Friday:
By Karen Friday
“We’ve got spirit. Yes, we do. We’ve got spirit. How bout you?”
In high school, I wanted to be a cool spirit girl so I tried out for cheerleader.
After the first round, it came down to three of us vying for two available spots. Yours truly was nixed. While I was disappointed, honestly, the other two girls were far better at rah-rah stuff—flips, jumps…everything.
My younger sister grew up blossoming in dance and gymnastics classes. She was a shoo-in for cheerleader.
But I’m my husband’s biggest cheerleader. His cool spirit girl. It’s a place I’m blossoming and it rocks!
Pastor’s Wife
It’s no secret. I’m a pastor’s wife. It’s noted on my blog site and in my author/speaker biographies. It’s written on the pages of my life as part of my story. I use the hashtag often on social media.
My twin sister and younger sister are also pastor’s wives. We’re a triple threat to the enemy and the forces of darkness.
The role has become more important to me over the last few years. The Lord is stirring a sense of awareness in my heart for the sanctity of callings. If we need anything in our world right now, it’s a stirring. A spiritual awakening.
I don’t view God’s calling in ministry lightly. My calling or my husband’s. There was a time I downplayed the awe of it. My life was consumed with life. Cares and duties. Responsibilities and activities. Mostly secular in nature they lobbied for my precious time and attention.
All that to say, I’ve bid farewell to the world’s constant distractions. Actually, I have tried before—unsuccessful. Now my life is more about ministry. A busy schedule is okay with me when it has kingdom purpose.
I’ve resolved to stop and smell the roses. And when there aren’t any roses, I will stop regardless.
To stop the insanity of the hustle and bustle. There is a point it will have to stop or we will never have the pleasure of smelling roses along the way. To appreciate.
Pastor-Appreciation-Shout-Out
Sunday, October 9, is National Clergy Appreciation Day. But we set aside the entire month to say, “thank you.” The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month. A time to honor our clergy members.
My husband, Mike, was a youth minister for almost 2o years and is now the lead pastor atBelievers Church in Tennessee.
Here’s my new cheer, “I have a pastor. Yes, I do. I have a pastor, how bout you?”
I’m speaking up on behalf of my husband, no matter how many social manners it breaks. Giving a shout out to Mike and to pastors and ministers everywhere.
There’s a few things to consider as we “appreciate.”
Duty of Care
One of the meanings of appreciate is to be aware of someone’s value. I appreciate my pastor, Mike, who happens to be my husband. I am fully aware of his value as my spiritual leader and the spiritual leader of our church.
Pastors provide spiritual direction and care for the church body. They give us valuable leadership and teaching in the ministry of the Word.
They set the example of obedience to the mission of Christ and His Church.
“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” Hebrews 13:7 ESV.
Verse 17 goes on to implore the body of Christ to submit to our spiritual leaders for “they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.”That’s some heavy-duty responsibility. One we should appreciate.
Shepherds Under the Chief Shepherd
Pastors are called to shepherd the flock of God and exercise oversight knowing that when the Chief Shepherd appears, they will be rewarded. (Reference, 1 Peter 5:2-4.)
Our pastors tenderly watch over us as a shepherd watches over his sheep. The shepherd always has the sheep’s best interest in mind, concerned for the sheep’s well-being.
Do you appreciate your pastor? His duty of care? The valuable leadership? Your pastor’s teaching and ministry of the Word? The shepherding?
I have a pastor. Yes, I do. A pastor I appreciate. How about you?
Featured image courtesy of Adobe Spark.
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