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Pastor Appreciation Month

October is Pastor Appreciation Month and it’s more than half over. Have you done anything yet to let your pastoral family/families know they are appreciated?

Please consider doing something- even a card just expressing your appreciation for them. I can tell you from my own perspective that it means the world!

Most all of you know I am a youth pastor. I like to think of myself as regular ol’ SAHM but secretly- I have a hidden identity- I am Super Youth Pastor Woman. [Side Note: Many puns intended here. Like there really is such a thing as a “regular ol’ sahm”? Please!]

Okay, all kidding aside. I stand here (okay- sit here at my computer) to tell you that you need to let your pastors know they are loved and appreciated. Please don’t say “Oh, they know!” That’s like saying your husband and kids know you love and appreciate them without you saying it or showing it. Yes, it is that serious.

Let me also say- please do not forget your associate pastors. I am not writing to whine but to share from my heart. I have been overlooked so much in my church as youth pastor that it is a family joke (meaning my family jokes about it- not me). Now let me just say I have not been completely overlooked. Last year 5 people from my church family sent me cards, 1 family took us out to dinner and 1 mom of teens gave me 2 hours of free house cleaning (woo hoo!). That was last October- in December my church wanted to honor their pastors with Christmas gifts- they gave gift cards to our senior pastor and our family pastor. You cannot imagine how I felt during that portion of honor in our service. My youth group teens were looking at me expectantly and I just wanted to blend right into that 1970’s goldenrod colored pew. I was not honored during this service- I wasn’t even mentioned. I am a woman- in fact, I am a seriously emotional woman and that, to me, was like driving a spike into my heart. I sat there praying over and over, reminding myself that I do not need/deserve glory and honor this side of heaven, that I am doing what God wants me to do and that is reward enough, that my teens appreciate me and that’s more than enough. Let me be frank and say that the turmoil in my heart didn’t cease just because I am aware that I work to store up treasures in heaven not on earth. I would liken it to nobody remembering your birthday and everyone treating it like just another ordinary day. Can you understand me? I hope so.

Lest this become a pity me party- this year our church has arranged for us to have at least one meal a week prepared and delivered to us by one of our church family. One family has blessed us with a gift certificate for dinner and another for the local movie theater along with the promise to babysit our children. Praise the Lord! I am so excited. Special time with my hubby!

1 Timothy 5:17-18 (The Message) Give a bonus to leaders who do a good job, especially the ones who work hard at preaching and teaching. Scripture tells us, "Don't muzzle a working ox" and "A worker deserves his pay."

Untitled Comment

10:16 PM, 2006-Oct-19 .. Posted by thatday

I have just recently moved to Pendleton and am attending a wonderful Church of God. The senior pastor and youth pastor are the best!! Our church theme is "Love is Spoken Here".
Thanks so much for the reminder - I knew it was Pastor Appreciation Month, but had actually forgotten.
So, this week will do something for our pastors. I don't think our church as a whole does anything.

And blessings to you as you minister to the youth in your church. What an awesome ministry.
Barb