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Appreciating our pastors

by BOB SHILLINGSTAD/Special to The Press
| September 26, 2020 1:00 AM

“Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” -Jeremiah 3:15

You may not know it, but this is a significant month for your pastor. October is Pastor Appreciation Month, bringing with it a complex mix of conflicting thoughts and emotions for most pastors. Many pastors would admit they have a day off but they really don’t have a day off. When are they not a pastor? It’s why leadership guru Peter Drucker said this:

“Over the years I have made a career out of studying the most challenging management roles out there. After all of that I am now convinced the two most difficult jobs in the world are these — one, to be President of the United States, and two, to be the leader of a church.”

Ministry is an amazing call, full of great joys and significant moments in people’s lives: officiating weddings, presiding over funerals, seeing first-hand how lives are changed for Christ. But it’s also full of tension: intense conflict, unrealistic expectations, relational strain, and, at times, soul-aching loneliness.

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).

The good news is that we can make a difference! Pastor Appreciation Month is one way we can counter the negative erosion in the lives of our spiritual leaders with the positive affirmation they need.

This year of 2020 has been unpredictable, unstable, and unlike any other year in recent history. Churches were forced to pivot overnight and build completely new ministry strategies to reach their communities. In the same way, church attendees were compelled to change the way they attend a worship service, engage with other members, and participate in Christian community. Funerals and hospital visits were denied. However, one thing that does not have to change is the way we show pastors our appreciation for all they do.

There are so many ways we can come alongside our church leaders to let them know we see them, we hear them, and we appreciate them. Remember, a simple word of encouragement goes a long way, especially during this unprecedented time. It can be written words or a financial contribution.

Churches sometimes offer a giving fund option in the month of October where people can express their generosity directly to that fund. This goes straight to your pastors and will be a great blessing to them heading into the holidays.

If your church doesn’t have a Pastor Appreciation Month fund, maybe contact your church’s office and request the option to give directly to your pastor as a “special gift.” There are also many creative ways to give and honor your pastor, use your imagination.

Many pastors are participating in the Day of Prayer today across the country. There is a gathering at the Stateline Speedway in Post Falls today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pastors will be leading in prayer for our country. A reminder that we need to also pray for the spiritual leadership of our country.

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Bob Shillingstad’s columns appear Saturdays in The Press. Email Bob: bjshill@mac.com