OT: October is Clergy Appreciation Month

Rosie Perera
Rosie Perera Member Posts: 26,194 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited November 2024 in English Forum

Since my church has no clergy, I have no one to show my appreciation to except all the wonderful pastors who grace these forums with your presence, and whose hard work on behalf of their own congregations is not the end of their pastoral work. You know who you are. You care for us in this virtual community, too.

Know that you are honored, and I pray that your hearts might be lifted this month (one in particular whom I know is going through a hard time).

And for all of you who aren't pastors, here's a post from a friend's blog which alerted me to this tradition:

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You see them each Sunday. For some, you hear them preach regularly. You seek them out on special occasions like marriage or funerals. Sometimes you look for their help for counseling sessions. Most of the time, they are expected to be there when you need them. What about appreciating what they have been doing? What about a month allocated to show them that you appreciate their services in the Church or parachurch setting?

The month of October is specially set aside for such a purpose. You can read more about Clergy Appreciation Month here and here. The history of 'clergy appreciation month' can be read here. Depending on the availability and the convenience of Church members and friends, affirmation, prayer and various kinds of support can be done at any time. If you have thought about your own pastors and wanted to encourage them, but not sure when is the right time, how about doing something for them this October? Remember, you do not need to give them material stuff. A word of encouragement to them goes much farther. Between dollars and the word of encouragement, the latter is far more priceless. I am sure you can do that.

Now, I am not advocating CAM simply because I am a pastor. I believe that servants of God ought to be honoured in a special way too. In fact, you may even help them do a better job in serving God.

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." (1 Tim 5:17)

So if your church has elders and pastors, or teaching staff or leaders in the ministry of preaching or teaching, Clergy Appreciation Month is for you to show your gratitude for their ministry. May the Lord bless you richly as God uses you to bless your leader. Below are 8 ways to show your appreciation to your leaders. [Credit to PromiseOfGod ministry.]

HOW TO APPRECIATE YOUR PASTOR/ELDER

  1. Cut the criticism;
  2. Pray Regularly;
  3. Express Appreciation in Writing;
  4. Use your skills to bless;
  5. Squelch Gossip;
  6. Offer to meet a need;
  7. Be Openly Responsive;
  8. Throw Away Your Measuring Stick.

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