So, another Pastor Appreciation Month draws to a close. Or, as many small-church pastors know it, “one more reminder that no one appreciates what I’m doing here” month.
Does that sound harsh? Maybe it is. But for a surprisingly large number of pastors, that sentiment feels right on the money (or lack thereof).
If you’re one of the pastors who went through the entire month of October without a single acknowledgement from your congregation, this article is for you.
1. It’s okay to feel bad about it
No, we don’t do this for the praise of people, but it still hurts when October comes and goes every year without being noticed.
You don’t have to feel guilty about feeling bad.
2. We went almost 2,000 years without it
Pastor Appreciation Month has only been a thing since 1994, when Focus on the Family started promoting the idea.
Its recent origin doesn’t delegitimize it, but for almost 2,000 years the church and its pastors functioned just fine without it. And in most of the world today, outside the few countries that acknowledge it, pastors still get along fine without it.
3. Switch gears. The holidays are coming!
It’s important to celebrate the hard work and sacrifice of pastors. But it’s essential to celebrate the coming of the savior.
Over the next few months, our churches and families have the opportunity to celebrate advent, Christmas, and for Americans, Thanksgiving. Let those refill you with the joy and hope you need.
4. It probably wasn’t intentional
Failing to acknowledge Pastor Appreciation Month doesn’t mean your congregation doesn’t love and appreciate you.
Those of us who live in church mode 24/7 were inundated with news about it, but regular folks in secular work may not be aware of it. And, even if they were, everyone may have thought it was someone else’s job to acknowledge it.
5. Put it on next year’s calendar
In smaller churches, if the pastor doesn’t initiate something, it won’t get done. So, initiate it. Starting now.
As you lay out next year’s church calendar, make sure Pastor Appreciation Month is included. Then assign someone to oversee it, like you do for other events, and be sure to follow up with them at appropriate times.
6. Get back to the joyous calling of pastoring
Yes, just lay it aside, and keep going.
Honor Jesus, serve the people, and feed your own soul. And know that this is enough.
(Photo by Andreas Bloch | Flickr)
