Pastor Appreciation Day

Knowing we are aware that the month of October is set aside as Pastor Appreciation Month, I trust that you are purposing to show in tangible ways your love and support to your precious pastors. Undoubtedly throughout all the months of the year you express your appreciation for your shepherd, but please plan this month to make special effort to acknowledge your care for God’s holy servants among us. The Scriptures give us this holy instruction: We urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves (1 Thess 5:12-13). We are instructed to render... honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). May God help each of us show kindness to our shepherds in special and appreciable ways!

A beautiful description of the spiritual role of the pastor is given us in Hebrews. We are instructed to pray for and give heed to the shepherds among us for they watch for [our] souls (Hebrews 13:17). What a fearful and awesome responsibility. No one but a faithful pastor can tell of the prayerfulness in the watches of the night that comes from concern over a beloved parishioner. The Word instructs the shepherds: Feed the flock of God that is among you, and watch out for them (1 Peter 5:2)! This careful watching is both spiritually rewarding and taxing. And though I am certain that this spiritual labor is a labor of love, I also know that the burden is made lighter by the love and care which you give to your shepherd! 

Bless your pastors with your prayers. Bless them with your strengthening words. Bless them with deeds of love. Bless them with gifts of appreciation.
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Rev. Dan Gilmore
District Superintendent