Job Appreciation
By Carolyn
Hulliberger
“Now we ask you,
brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care
for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in
love because of their work…”
1
Thessalonians 5:12-13 (NIV)
Have
you ever looked at God’s job description for our pastors and ministry leaders? Here’s
a partial list (adapted from 1 Timothy 3):
-
Be
well-thought-of
-
Committed
to their spouse
-
Cool
and collected
-
Accessible
-
Hospitable
-
Know
what they are talking about
-
Gentle
-
Not
thin-skinned
-
Not
money-hungry
-
Must
handle their own affairs well
-
Outsiders
(to the church) must think well of them
This
list is exhausting!
I
have been blessed to know several good pastors, leaders, and their spouses. These
people have not watched from afar when I or a loved one was hurting. Instead,
they got right down in the muck with us.
They have been at my bedside before surgery, traveled 12 hours (one
way!) to attend a complicated family funeral, answered emergency phone calls,
responded to random texts seeking advice, and once (unforgettably) the pastor’s
wife pulled an all-nighter with a 14-year-old me when I left a paper to the
last minute when my parents were out of town.
Perhaps
you have stories of your own that are coming to mind. God has entrusted our
leaders with the most special of assignments - - contributing to the spiritual
well-being of His people. Often, it’s an exhausting task. The hours are not “9
to 5.” The job they do is often taken
for granted, leading to isolation and even burn-out.
October
is Clergy Appreciation Month. It’s a time to be purposeful in coming alongside our
leaders in love and support, applaud their efforts and shoulder their burdens. This
month, take time to send a card, buy a lunch, give a Facebook shout-out, decorate
a church office or give a gift card. The gesture doesn’t have to be large to be
a blessing.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Need ideas? Google “Pinterest
Pastor Appreciation Ideas.” There
are a bunch!
FURTHER READING:
Along
with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative and serves
in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an
awesome group of junior high girls.
