Revisiting Appreciation Of Pastors
Pastor’s Appreciation Day is observed annually on the 3rd Sunday of July within the Central Panama Baptist Association (CPBA). I was not aware that they had this observation here. Therefore, it caught me completely off guard during worship on Sunday July 15, 2007 at First Isthmian Baptist. It was too late to protest so I graciously accepted the token of appreciation they gave me. A member of the congregation also prayed for me.
Yea, yea. Nosy Parkers. I know the big question, ‘So what did you get’?
This? 
ah ah. Nope.
Ok this then.. 
yea right. No Way.
Nevertheless, it is something exciting. And I’m looking forward to making the best use of it. Sorry ‘nosy parkers’ but you’ll just have to keep on guessing. But I really wanted to talk about this practice of setting aside a specific period of a day or month to show appreciation to ministers of the Gospel.
What is Pastor’s Appreciation Day Anyway?
Clergy appreciation has been gaining ground in recent years. It is the practice of honoring pastors as ’shepherd/shepherdess of the flock.’ In the US for example, National Clergy Appreciation Day/Month is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of October. From what I gather though, a church is free to choose any day they like. Moreover, It can be either one day or a month long observation.
Churches tend to agree that the basis of this practice is biblical. You know us we gotta find it in the bible! Thus, the following passages are among those generally used to substantiate the practice; 1Tim 5:17;1Thess 5:12-13.
While some look for principles in the bible others will desperately try to pin down the exact practice in scriptures. Thus, the appreciation of pastors takes on a variety of forms in the various Christian traditions it exists. Sadly, though some of these practices have caused me to sometimes cringe in embarrassment. I will say more on that later.
Do Pastors Really Deserve Appreciation?
I have seen enough changes in congregational life to agree with those who say; today’s congregation is not the same as say 2 decades ago. This declaration is generally made as part of a discussion on commitment to service, stewardship, and general enthusiasm about the work of the church. It is also made in discussions on the all too frequent and sorry state of relationships [or lack thereof] between some churches and their pastors.
For too many reasons to get into here, some members of churches do not believe that pastors should receive any special form of appreciation. Some do not believe pastors should receive a salary in the first place, much less a special appreciation. Basically, they feel that their pastor might not deserve such an honour. You know something? Sometimes they are right.
In fact, there are some who feel that pastors do nothing besides preach on Sunday, so what’s there to appreciate? See Dan Case’s discussion in Pastor’s Appreciation Revisited where he tells a hilarious story about this issue featuring a Baptist deacon, no less.
Feeling under-appreciated? Well, you might be in trouble if your members think your sermons are bedtime stories! Double trouble if your administrative skills are just figments of your own imagination.
My Pastor Deserves Recognition! But how?
Just Great! I imagine then that you have a faithful woman or man of God leading you. I firmly believe the principle of honoring and showing appreciation is just basic human graciousness. It is important in all relationships between human beings in a relationship and between humanity and the rest of creation as well.
Giving encouragement to your pastor is a good principle to follow. In Jamaica, we would use the proverb, “encouragement sweetens labour”. It is true. Nonetheless, you might disagree with me on the methods you should employ to demonstrate how much you love your pastor and her/his family. For me, it is more than just giving the pastor gifts we either make or buy.
The practice of appreciating pastors with tangible expressions to show care and support has taken a wrong turn somewhere. I have seen congregations show their gratitude to their pastor in several ways, some mild and some outrageous in my estimation. True approval and gratitude is more than a one day or one month affair.
True appreciation of your pastor must be a year long observation if it is to be meaningful and beneficial to you both. Most importantly, it is made up of some stuff that money cannot buy. That’s the part I love.
Peace,
Marvia
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Read my Top 10 Everyday Ways to Appreciate Your Pastor to see more about the how to celebrate your upcoming Pastor’s Appreciation Day/Month.
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July 20th, 2007 at 3:28 am
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July 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
very interesting, am aware of churches having things like appreciation services for their pastors and or spouses. However never heard of there being designated times for such. This brings me back, to Rev. J, declaring he would not be in attendance if one was being held for him when he was leaving the circuit. Then at a members meeting we decided to eliminate an awards ceremony from our anniversary celebrations. The rationale was that as Christians, whatever it was that one would have been awarded for, was our duty and we were “called out” to do it.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:23 pm
PastorD,
I understand the sentiment of the Rev you mentioned. It is true in a sense that since we are ‘called out’ to do what we do, then we do not need any extra awards. However, we have to leave some of that as just sheer personal preference.
Fact is, that same argument is used to substantiate the argument that pastors should not be paid a salary. In Jamaica, I know I personally experienced that kind of thinking. Some church members feel that pastors should not receive a salary as such, but should receive tokens of appreciation like crops from the field, the occasional gift and so on.
Since the church already provides accommodation in the form of a Manse or pastoral home - what more could you possibly need money for? That question of course, stirs up a whole lot of biting ants.
I share with you the words one very kind retired JBU minister shared with me -
“Human beings gives awards while God gives rewards”
Thankfully, God is already rewarding us and so does not set a premise for us to wait till ‘the kingdom has fully come’ for us to receive some things.
Peace,
Marvia