Saturday, October 5, 2013

Appreciating Your Pastor

I used to ask God to help me.
Then I asked if I might help Him.
I ended up by asking Him
to do his work through me.

James Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)
English missionary and founder
of China Inland Mission

The month of October is recognized as Pastor Appreciation Month.  The dictionary tells us, to appreciate means:  to understand the worth or importance of something or someone; to admire and value; to be grateful for something.   


I can tell you that I appreciate my pastor very much.  You see… my pastor, is also my husband Bill.  Along with my husband, I share in his ministry at a beautiful old church, nestled on a hill, in a small fishing village on the coast of Maine. 





Being a pastor is a labor of love – love for the Lord and His people.  There is a lot of behind the scenes things a pastor does that his congregation never sees, nor is he able to share with them.   I’m sure you realize, it’s more than just a Sunday morning message.
 



Bill's grandmother always prayed
he'd be a pastor.  Here he is as a boy. 

Pastor Bill posing with a Moose.

I asked my husband, specifically what the desire of his heart was for his congregation.  He said there were two things –

1.     Make God a priority over anything else!

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25

Your church attendance not only will benefit you by helping you grow spiritually, but it encourages your pastor, and lifts up the rest of your church family.   

2.     That the people would have a desire to grow spiritually by reading/studying their bibles, and praying. 

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever!
2 Peter 3:18


No matter where we are in our spiritual walk, there is always room for growth.  I call my husband “The Bible Answer Man”.  There is no one I know personally, who knows more about the Bible than him.  He will however, be the first to tell you that he’s always learning.

Please don't take your pastor for granted, he needs encouragement as some days are particularly hard for him.  There is a lot he holds in and keeps between himself and God. 

The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.  1 Timothy 5:17




Pray for your pastor and his family

What are some ways you can encourage your pastor?
  • Praying for him and his family and letting him know that you do
  • A simple note of appreciation when a particular message spoke to you.
  • Ask questions about the bible or his message, it shows him you are interested.
  • Helping when you see a need within your church or otherwise
  • Vegetables from your garden.
  • A food item that you enjoy making
  • Being faithful in your church attendance
  • Visiting the older people in your congregation


Pastor Bill's favorite pie, Lemon Meringue
Fresh from famous Moody's Diner, Waldoboro Maine

If you are a Pastor’s wife or the wife of someone in ministry – here are some suggestions I have learned for supporting my husband.

  • Praying for him, praying with him
  • Respecting his study time by not interrupting
  • Keep peace in your home (especially Saturday evening and Sunday morning)
  • Give him a good breakfast Sunday morning
  • Be his helpmate, ask him what can do to help
  • Be his biggest supporter and cheerleader
  • Talk to him about his message, ask questions, give feedback, show you were listening
  • Respect his hobbies and need for personal down time

This is my husband’s prayer for his congregation:  And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.  Philippians 1:9-11

What are some ways you encourage your pastor?  If you are a pastor’s wife, what are some ways you show support for your husband?

I'll close with this graphic I made using Bill's life verse, along with a picturesque scene just down the road from us.  


Free for personal use or sharing.

Note:  This was previously posted.  I brought it out of the archives with some new pictures and a few changes.  Thanks so much for visiting today. 

Linked to:  Hearts for Home, Fellowship Fridays,



14 comments:

  1. Hi Abby, thank you for this timely reminder. Pastors bear more of a burden than we'll ever know, and like Moses, they needs lots of support to continue in the work of The Lord x

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  2. Thank you for the reminder. I've heard nothing in the grapevine about plans to honor our pastors. Hmmmm...perhaps I need to ask a few questions! Your suggestions are very good.

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  3. Abby...What a wonderful post to honor your husband in his calling. I feel like I know him and we've never met. Thank you for the reminder to appreciate pastors this month. They really do sacrifice much to do what they are called to do. Have a great weekend dear friend.

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  4. AMEN and AMEN and AMEN
    sth at Spruce Head, ME :-)

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  5. Your post is beautiful. Pastors and their wives deserve lots of kudos and hugs. I recently read where a minister told a young person who wanted to be a pastor "can you find joy doing anything else? Then do that, pastoring is a difficult vocation."

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  6. Thankful for you and for Bill, and for the love and care you give to the flock the Lord has entrusted to your care. Praying for you both, that the Lord would continue to give you an increasing love for Him and for His glory, and that you would grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord (and strength, wisdom and perseverance, too!) Lovely post and great exhortation! Hugs and blessings!

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  7. A timely reminder - thanks Abby - and thanks for the graphic too.
    Blessings
    Maxine

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  8. Alas, I am without a church home at the moment. But I will be praying for you & your sweet husband as well as my previous pastors.
    I know it a demanding job & even being a pastors wife-is not easy.
    Your blog always inspires me & lifts me up. I pray you both have a wonderful day!

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  9. Hi Abby,
    Your blog touched my heart. We are going to honor our Pastor and his wife on Oct 20th with a luncheon and love offering. We feel we are so lucky to have him as he is a true Bible believing minister to our congregation. Your words regarding your dear husband are wonderful. He appears to be a true man of God just as our dear Pastor is. Both congregations are very fortunate to have them. Thanks for your wonderful blog!
    Annette

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  10. Love this post Abbey, your congregation is VERY blessed to have you both! Thanks for sharing your insights and specific requests. Prayers being lifted for you and your congregation.

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  11. What a neat post and a beautiful church! Thank you for your insight in this area and your suggestions!

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  12. I do appreciate my pastor very much and do tell him, but like all things probably not enough, I know being a pastors wife is very important too :)

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  13. Thank you, Abby, for sharing this post. My Pastor is also my Father-in-law so I guess in a way I am closer to him than just someone attending the church. I have seen the time he puts into preparing messages and the love he has for the people that attend. Reading your post this morning truly blessed my heart and reminded me to be thankful for my Pastor. Blessings to you, friend!

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  14. Abby,
    This is a great post! Would you give permission for me to use some of your quotes for our church bulletin this week? We will be "appreciating" our Pastor on Sunday and I like the way you defined appreciate as well as the list of ways to encourage the Pastor. ~Pamelyn

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Your comments are blessings to my day.