This month has been Pastor Appreciation Month. I don’t know who comes up with these different celebratory days or months for various things, but though there are so many, I’m thankful there is such a thing as this one. My wife and I had dinner with our senior pastors last night. They are a wonderful husband and wife team that co-lead our church. I won’t go into each of their roles, but God blended their individual gifts so perfectly and united them to lead together in such an anointed and blessed ministry.
We have known them since they were youth, still growing and developing within the church. True appreciation comes when you know someone so well that you can fully understand just how much of a gift they are to you. It is common for folks to attend church once or twice a week, listen to a message, and formulate their thoughts about the pastor, wonder if he practices what he preaches, speculate on his family life, and base their opinions solely on his or her preaching ability or maybe a few words spoken in the foyer.
You simply cannot accurately assess the real value or worth of a pastor until you get to know them on a more personal level. Get to know them through fellowship by inviting them to coffee, lunch, or dinner. At the very least, instead of shaking their hand and walking out after service, stop and have a conversation with them. You will find that pastors are real people, with real families, and real issues… the same as you and me. They have wants, needs, hurts, and pains. Don’t assume they have close friends or confidants. Pray daily for them because they are on the spiritual front lines!
My wife and I know our pastors very well and they know us. When they are telling stories as sermon illustrations, we often know the story behind the story. We know they are real and genuine people that love God and love the people they lead and serve. I still consider them young, but their wisdom in pastoring our church and leading the amazing pastors that serve under them, is well beyond their years. Although Pastor Appreciation Month is drawing to a close, I appreciate them at all times and I couldn’t be more proud of them. I love them as a father loves his own children and I pray his abundant blessings and protection upon them and their family.
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT) - “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”