03/27/2024
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By Charlotte Smith

Pastors bare a heavy burden at times. A pastor is defined in the dictionary as a minister in charge of a Christian church or congregation, but many would argue the definition does not due the role justice.

Paul taught on the subject of honoring those in leadership in 1 Timothy 5:17, (KJV): “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

The special recognition was started back in 1992 by the church and was first titled, “Clergy Appreciation Month”.  Some churches observe the tradition on the second Sunday in October each year. Other congregations celebrate appreciation for their leaders throughout the whole month of October.

Ordinarily lay-people show appreciation for the local pastor(s) during this month by giving public praises, cards, gifts, monetary donations, and provide other acts of kindness toward their ministers. After some thought on this subject and reading one of my favorite blogs, by Rev. Dr. Chris Denny, a former Pastor of a church in Bladen County, I felt the urge to remind others: do not forget to show appreciation for our Pastors! We may be at the end of the month, but that doesn’t mean we should be done with showing appreciation for our faith leaders.

Rev. Denny’s recent blog post should serve as a reminder to pray daily for our Pastors and help them bare the burden of the needy and the hurting by serving along side them. There are many ways to show your appreciation for Pastors, but it should not be a one month event, it should be a daily exercise if nothing, but lifting them and their families up in your prayers.

If you would like some more ideas, or if you would like to read more information about why you should appreciate pastors more check out this blog post, Pastor Apprecation Month: 4 Critical Rules & 10 Killer Ideas by Paul Maxwell. 

Last, but not least below is Rev. Dr. Chris Denny’s recent blog post. You may follow the links to his other posts as well. They are inspiring.

By Rev. Dr. Chris Denny on Oct 28, 2019 02:53 pm

Dear God,
Their needs are so great.
Their pain so deep.
Your people hurt.

They cry out to me saying,
“Pastor, can you help me?”
“Pastor, will you pray for me?”
“Pastor, where can I go?”

I get overwhelmed with the needs:sick and in hospital,
homeless and hungry,
broken and addicted,
abused and scared,
dying and alone.

So much need,
So much hurt,
too much for me.
So Lord, I turn to you.

You, O God, have moved with compassion for your people in the past:
“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them…'” Exodus 3:7-8a

You hear us when we cry to you:
“When the righteous cry for help,
the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near
to the brokenhearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18

Come and carry these burdens,
for I cannot.
Come and heal your people,
for you have and you can.
Come and make us whole!

Today I pray to you, O God.
It seems that’s the best I can do.
I claim your promise to Paul:
“My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Let it be so for me today!
Amen

Related articles:

Prayer for Overcoming Perfectionism
Prayers for Going Away
Thank you, God, for birthdays.
A Night Prayer
Overwhelmed… God will help

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