October is Pastor Appreciation Month

So, ok, I have a confession. I don’t like Pastor Appreciation Month. I know, I know, it sounds like a very bad thing for someone who works with pastors every day and is called to take care of them but hear me out… When I speak with and listen deeply to pastors, pictures of them form in my mind representing where they are in the moment, what their status is in terms of energy and emotion. In this last year I have pictured pastors crawling in mud under barbed wire, or hiding in treetops, or having their sweater unraveled row after row, acting as the rope in a congregational game of tug-of-war, and even becoming a large scoop of ice cream melting on the hot pavement. Even as they express great joy in doing the work of ministry and act with courage and energy as they lead beloved congregations, they get tired. After all, they carry the needs of the members of the congregation and community with them. It is a daunting task. So, for me, one month of appreciation is just not enough! We need to appreciate them all the time. It makes a huge difference in their hearts, minds and bodies.

When I encounter pastors who are intentionally held up in prayer by their congregations, often thanked, often complimented and supported, the pictures in my heart change. I see pictures of pastors standing on the beach watching the waves, smiling as they exit the grocery store with a full basket of food, riding a rollercoaster laughing with their hands in the air, or even shooting off fireworks as the congregation ooohhhhs and aaaahhhhs!

Please check in with your pastor this month, listen to them well and picture them. Are they doing well? Are they burdened and tired? Write them notes of appreciation, invite them to dinner, send them flowers, take them bowling with your families or choose to offer to dog sit for them so they can get away for a couple of days. Do it in October, and also do it in November, April and August and all the other months of the year. They are amazing and invaluable people God has sent just to us. They deserve your best support.