“Do you know where your pastor is?” I am not asking about where he is physically; that would be weird. (Besides, if he has a smartphone the GPS will handle that.) What I am asking is, do you know the emotional and spiritual state of the one who shepherds the flock you are a part of? In a report published in 2007, Dr. Richard Krejcir of the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership Development stated that, based on their survey of over 1,000 pastors
- 90% of pastors stated they are frequently fatigued, and worn out on a weekly and even daily basis
- 71% of pastors stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on a weekly and even a daily basis.
It is an unfortunate fact that many of our most significant relationships suffer from a common malady – the tendency to take things for granted. Pastors, and their families, can go months and even years without having someone go beyond the “That was a nice sermon, pastor” at the end of the service.
I am not always a fan of mandated holidays.(We all generally suspect that there is a conspiracy between the card, candy and flower companies!) But I think Pastor Appreciation Month is an exception worth making. Because of the ministry I am now in, and remembering back to the years I was a pastor, I can vouch for the need to express some well-deserved appreciation for those whom God has called to lead us.
There are a lot of forms that this can take – and a little creativity can take it to a new level. However you chose to do it, let your pastor and his family know how much you appreciate them; not only the work they do but also for who they are: human beings, fellow believers and friends.
If you are a pastor reading this, I am sure there are those in your life who have pastored you. When was the last time you told them how much their lives have meant to you?
It has been a slow process, but I am learning (and re-learning) just how big a return on investment gratitude can bring. It builds bridges and mends fences. It flies in the face of our self-centeredness and a culture of “me.” And it affirms the eternal value God has placed on each of our lives. That includes those that labor everyday on our behalf, praying, teaching and leading us into the places of growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Do you know where your pastor is? Take the time to find out, and make it a better place today!
Tell them “Thanks!”
October is Pastor Appreciation Month
AN ENCOURAGING WORD 
Good word, Roy. Thanks for who you are, what you have received, and how you’re serving in response to that in ways that will bless many in the days to come.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Rick
Rick Smith, field director, InFaith 7 Iron Circle | Reading, PA | 19607 Ph: 610.775.0394 | http://www.infaith.org
Thanks Rick
I do hear you, Roy and I confess concern about my pastor’s well-being because I sense and don’t fully grasp the burden he bears for all of us. That said, I try to offer him regular encouragement to let him know and even explain how he is impacting my life. I also appreciate that he promotes balanced life to all of us and leads by example by being faithful to time off each week to spend with his wife and to study breaks and vacations, etc. I know others are dedicated to him as well. I just hope its enough but don’t really know.