PASTOR'S APPRECIATION DAY

 "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
                                    ~Romans 10:14~
[SCROLL ON DOWN FOR IDEAS.]
     In just a few weeks churches all across the U.S. will be celebrating Pastor's Appreciation Day on October 14, 2012.  Yearly this falls on the 2nd Sunday in October.   Most congregations try to celebrate the entire Month. This is also called: “Clergy Appreciation Month and Day.”
   Many of my readers do know that I am a Pastor's Wife as well as an ordained minister. I was born into a pastor's home and thus can safely say I have lived in the Pastoral Ministry my entire 47 years. When I was a little girl, I always said I would 'never' be a pastor's wife. I saw too much and knew how difficult it was in so many avenues. I went to Bible College and attained my degree in Missions. It wasn't long after my husband and I were married that we were swept into the realms of pastorhood! Through out our ministry the Lord has deepened my heart for Pastor's. Those who are just starting off new; Oh buddy I do pray for them! Those who struggle trying to pastor, support a family and work-this is very draining to the family. To those who are constantly spinning trying to not only be a ministry to the Flock God led them to care for but also to a staff who leans on them for guidance and strength. 
   Then, as we observe the day we live in now, we see that the Church is not the 'in' thing. Respect for the office of Clergy has waned greatly. Living a Christian life with great diligence has become a magnificent challenge as the needs of this life swarm and overcome so many. Pastor's love being there for people. Those who truly answered the call have an amazing love for souls, and it is just a thrill to listen and pray for them. 

  Yet as the days turn to years, it can become quite wearisome. This is why it is vital for the people who are serving God under the leadership of Pastor's must pray daily for them. Lift up their hands like Aaron did for Moses. Then joyfully plan on celebrating this special day to honor your pastor's and his wife (I say with a bit of prejudice). 
   I present to you some ideas I gathered from a few resources to help you plan something special for your special servants of God; Your Pastor's. 
    Read here a snidbit of history on Clergy Appreciation Day:

Sept./Oct. 1996 issue of the Saturday Evening Post related the origins of Clergy Appreciation Day.

“In 1992, layperson Jerry Frear, Jr., was brainstorming with church colleagues about how they might be of help to their minister when he glanced at a calendar and noticed that it was almost Groundhog Day. ‘I thought, if they have a day for groundhogs, there ought to be a day for the 375,000 clergy people in America.’ Frear says. So…for the last seven years the second Sunday in October has been set aside to show appreciation for our clergy.”

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 “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work...” (I Thessalonians 5:12-13)

IDEAS: {#'S 1-10 From http://www.loveexpressonline.com/pastorappreciationday.html  / 12-21 From Annies Place   -http://www.annieshomepage.com/clergyday.html  /  22-30 From Focus on the Family -http://www.thrivingpastor.org/images/pdf/CAM%20Guide_2012.pdf }

1• Pray for your pastor daily.
2• Appreciation certificate or plaque
3• Gift certificate/card
4• Monetary gift
5• Flowers for wives
6• Mini-vacation (provide a weekend trip out of town – maybe at a Bed and Breakfast)
7• Reception following the service
8• An automobile
9• A trip to the Holy Lands for minister and spouse
10• An ocean cruise for minister and spouse
11• A Sabbatical, etc.

12. Everyone has a favorite homemade dessert. Do you know your Pastor's favorite?

13. If your Pastor has children offer to baby-sit. You can give them a FREE voucher to redeem within 24 hours notice.

14. Wash the Pastor's car. And if he has a wife then wash her car too. Don't forget to fill the car with gas while you have it.

15. Purchase a Gift Certificate for you favorite five star restaurant and leave it in the Pastor's Church Mailbox. It is nice to "take" the Pastor and his wife with you for dinner too but sometimes I think they might like a private romantic dinner. They may not otherwise be able to afford such an extravagant evening. Of course they would appreciate even a McDonald's gift certificate.

16. How about taking the Pastor to the clothing store where you get your suits and have him fitted for a brand new suit. Don't forget the shirt, tie, shoes and socks. If you can't afford that then maybe just a new tie might be nice. You might consider giving it as a gift from your Sunday School or Bible Study group.

17. You can make a gift basket with a "theme". Maybe Gardening or Bookworm themes. Just put all different and yet related items to the theme in a nice basket.

18. Symphony, Theater or Movie tickets would be a nice treat too. Don't forget Sports tickets.

19. A home cooked dinner delivered with candles and a nice CD for background music.

20. A gift certificate for a professional massage or even a manicure would be nice.

21. Gifts don't have to be extravagant or expensive to be special. Handmade items have their own special charm. Just make sure that your gift is from the heart and they will love it no matter what it is

*22. Host a card shower

*23. Special ceremony during a worship service.

*24. An open letter of appreciation in the local newspaper.

*25. Team up with your local Christian bookstore or radio station. (gifted resources)

*26. Send a letter to members of the congregation explaining Clergy Appreciation Month and include offering envelopes for special love offering.

*27. Set up a “leafless ” tree that can be decorated with a variety of small gifts.

*28.  Schedule special prayer sessions to pray specifically for your pastors and their families.

*29. Participate in renovating part of the pastor’s home.

*30. Ask business members throughout your community to use a portion of their

advertising marquees to extend your congregation’s message of appreciation.

Blessings we received in the past: [I cannot remember them all, but will try.]

1- My husband received an entire Pulpit Commentary Set & I an entire set of Tupperware.

2- Gift certificate to the best bbq in town (we lived in TX). 

3- Free babysitting. [Oh yea!]

4- Shopping spree for new clothes at the mall.

5- Bible's

6- Money and money and money (nice).

7- Cards with special lovely words from each person in the church.

8- A meal a day for a whole month.

9- Air plane tickets home...lived a long way from family. [A lot of pastors do.]

10- New suit for Brad.

11- Grocery showers. 
12- Fresh butchered beef, with freezer. 

~Lots of love and special prayer services most all the time. 

Just recently our sweet, little Body of Believers loved on us and celebrated our anniversary (it was a surprise), this humbled us greatly. 

Love on your pastor's: 

  Compliment them, thank them and help them...of course do pray for them as well. 

*Renewal Retreats for Pastors:    http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/retreats.pdf
*Pastoral Care Hot Line and email from Focus on the Family: pastors@family.or

                     Toll-free: (877) 233-4455  Monday - Friday 6:00am - 8:00pm (Mountain)

THE PASTOR'S WIFE

We often hear of Heroes

on the news at night,

How someone went into a fire

To save someone else's life.

But, there's another hero 

that we never hear about, 

Though Her love and dedication

are never in a doubt.

Often took for granted... 

Never glorified,

Still she keeps on going

for the person by her side.

She stands beside him everyday

no matter what ... is thrown their way,

For he was called from above 

To spread the message of "GOD'S LOVE".

And just as he was called... 

She was hand picked too.

for it takes someone Special

to do what she must do.

And thou he may get the Glory

and he may get the Fame,

She will stand beside him in Love

and Help him just the same.

She's the person he turns to

when he needs a friend,

She will always be there till the 

"Glorious End".

I would like to take this moment

to introduce to you,

a LOVELY unsung Hero

for whom

GOD hand-picked to spend Her life

as

The Pastor's WIFE.

Donna Golden, from the U.S. state of Georgia

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OUR PASTOR

Our Pastor has a thankless job

In many different ways; 

He gets a lot of helpful hints, 

But gets so little praise!

The time he has is not his own---

He's not like other men; 

Right when he thinks some time is his

There rings that phone again!

Someone is sick or needs advise, 

And asks for him to call; 

And as God's man they know he'll come, 

And hardly mind at all.

The wisdom of King Solomon

Is all he needs each day

To lead his flock and keep them safe

From Satan's cunning ways!

Like Jesus he prays for his sheep---

Prays faith will never dim; 

But when we lift our prayers to God

How many pray for him?

So let's be faithful to that one

Who helps us day by day

Let's not forget our man of God

When we kneel down to pray!

---from The Sawdust Trail

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Link: Coloring Page from Ministrytochildren.com = http://cdn.www.ministry-to-children.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/pastor-appreciation-coloring-page.pdf