It's Time to Honor Your Clergy!

What is Clergy Appreciation Month?

Clergy Appreciation Month is a special time that congregations set aside each year to honor their pastors and pastoral families for their hard work, sacrificial dedication and provision of multiple blessings. "It is typically scheduled in October, but can be held at any time that is convenient for the community and church."

Why is Clergy Appreciation Month necessary?

The nature of the service provided by pastors and their families is unique. God has entrusted to them one of the most precious of assignments -- the spiritual well-being of His flock.

Pastors and their families live under incredible pressures. Their lives are played out in a fishbowl, with the entire congregation and community watching their every move.

They are expected to have ideal families, to be perfect people, to always be available, to never be down and to have all the answers we need to keep our own lives stable and moving forward.

 Those are unrealistic expectations to place on anyone. That's why God has instructed us to recognize His servants.

The good news is that we can make a difference! Clergy Appreciation Month is one way we can counter the negative erosion in the lives of our spiritual leaders with positive affirmation.

What can we do?

There are two ways to help your pastors and their families feel appreciated. First, figure out what you can do personally to recognize and honor these leaders. A simple card, an invitation to lunch, a promise to pray for them, or an offer to babysit, wash a car or mow a lawn make wonderful statements.

The next way to help is to share the concept of Clergy Appreciation Month with others in your congregation and to challenge them to join you in some kind of formal planning. You might consider a special service of affirmation, a potluck event, or planting a tree in their honor. The sky is the limit!

Doesn't your pastor and his family deserve this kind of recognition? Do something about it today!