Tag: pastor appreciation

Receive It Well!

There are seasons in life where we struggle with appreciation. Some Octobers can feel that way for pastors. Some years I weirdly hoped to get through without being “appreciated” on the platform in the services.

An interesting irony of our awkwardness is that when we most desire appreciation, we are also least comfortable receiving it. Reflecting on it now, I wonder what that reveals about our hearts.

We must remember that healthy relationships are two way streets. Sometimes as pastors we want to give, serve, help & lead  but struggle to receive from those in our spiritual family. That is not healthy. Genuine affection should be both given and received.

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Pastor Appreciation Flipped!

1Cor 1:4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 

What if the level of pastor appreciation you experience disappoints your heart? Few would admit they wish they could improve pastor appreciation. Most recognize the selfishness of that kind of thinking. Still, how do we keep from getting stuck on the dark side of pastor appreciation month?

I want to offer something for you to consider. This can’t be a gimmick. It can’t be fake. However, if you embrace this one thing in a genuine way, it will deepen pastor appreciation in your church culture.

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Appreciation Challenges

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. 1Thes 5:12-13

“Pastor Appreciation Month” is a mixed bag for most pastors. It began through the initial work of Focus on the Family in the early 1990’s. While most of us didn’t follow Jesus’ call for the human appreciation, it feels great to receive genuine gratitude. That can make it weird because our focus is making disciples, building Jesus’ church and fishing for people NOT fishing for appreciation! We feel strangely uncomfortable thinking or talking about pastor appreciation.

I want to just name part of that challenge out loud because you probably can’t in your setting. A core challenge includes the range of ways church approach it. Some churches are incredibly generous (think trip to Hawaii or Israel). Others seem oblivious to it. Many in the middle have good intentions but it snuck up on them or there just wasn’t thoughtful leadership to do something meaningful. So it ends up feeling more like an obligatory afterthought than genuine appreciation. It isn’t about what is spent, but the level of authentic appreciation shown. Some of my favorite blessings were heartfelt words shared in writing or verbally. If you are in ministry long enough you will experience all of them. If you are a pastor, stick with me a bit longer.

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