A Tribute To Pastors
Posted: Sunday, October 08, 2006
by Laura Trahan
Pastors are unique individuals who carry a lot of responsibility. They often live their lives in a fish bowl with members of society watching their every move waiting for direction or to pass judgment.
October is Ministry Appreciation Month. It is the one time of the year in which Christians are expected to show appreciation for the work of the pastor. A pastor’s work often goes unnoticed for those unfamiliar with the behind the scenes life of a pastor. Therefore, I wanted to take the opportunity to show appreciation to pastors everywhere by saying thanks for the hard work. So to celebrate this month, here is a list, or tribute so to speak, about why pastors are so special.
Most likely a pastor’s most important trait is that they teach the word of God. We all need teachers when it comes to learning and growing in Christ. Because lets face it, sometimes we need to hear the word of God in our face and who better to do that than our pastor.
Pastors Can Be Creative In Getting My Attention
I have been lucky in the past with some of the best pastor/teachers who have gone out of their way to prove a point. Our pastor once had a pizza delivered during service to prove a point about being hungry for God. He also made us wear hairnets as a reminder of how we should be servants. That took time and effort and creativity when he could have just gone on stage and read.
Pastors Pray
My husband is on staff at a church, not as a pastor. The point I am trying to make is that I never knew how much pastors care for every member of their congregation until he took this position. Pastors spend hours praying for their members, friends, community, etc. Whatever the need, Pastors are bringing it before God. It is nice to know that despite all my troubles, I have someone who cares to pray for me.
Pastors Give
Pastors are constantly giving. They give their time, their money, their energy, etc. They work continually to share God’s love and God’s word. They plan so much time trying to meet the needs of the church and community. They give food, they give hope, they give money, facilities, entertainment, worship, etc. It often goes unnoticed how much a pastor gives.
Pastors Show Love
Pastors are some of the most giving people I know. Two years ago, my husband lost his job right before Christmas. We had a four year old and a preemie that was only a few weeks old. Who was there for us? Our pastor was when we needed a shoulder the most to lean on. He made sure we had food, presents for our kids and a hope for the future.
Pastors Counsel
Pastors spend a lot of time counseling. When people are hurting, a pastor is there to help them get through this low in their life. In our marriage, pastors have provided tremendous counsel to help us be better husbands and wives by teaching us areas of improvement in God’s word. They provide every kind of counseling available from financial to spiritual to marriage to fears, etc. They will stop everything to be of assistance in times of need.
Pastors Cry and Laugh With You
Pastors are there to celebrate births, praises, miraculous recoveries or any joy with you. But Pastors are also there when you are sick, dealing with loss of a loved one or just having a hard time.
This is just touching the tip of the iceberg when it comes to documenting all the great things pastors do for society. So don’t forget to take this October and just say a simple “Thank you."
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Very good article. I did not know that churches have a month where they honor the work of their pastors. That was news to me. I could find no mistakes, except occasionally you forgot to leave two spaces between sentences.Thanks Elizabeth for your kind words! However, according to the AP Stylebook, you no longer have to leave two spaces between sentences. That grammar rule was nullified with the invention of the computer. With typewriters, the spaces weren't big enough to separate sentences and the computer changed that by varying the size of spaces. I have a journalism background so I follow the AP Stylebook in all my writing. Thanks for commenting!
Laura, Thanks for such an insightful piece. You have a very clear view of all that pastors go through and how much good they can do if encouraged. How about Shalem the PK who commented above. This is what its all about. Thanks, Rev Michael Bresciani
Excellent writing, very insightful and quite needed in a world where only the worst example of pastors makes the news. Rev MB
I can really appreciate your sentiments in this article. When I was younger, I studied for the ministry, but realized that it involved more than what I was prepared to give. I have been close friends with many pastors and understand the dedication they give to their vocation. God bless our pastors.
Laura, one thing for sure, when you find a faithful Pastor, you do know the meaning of them in your life. They are and should be, God's Angels.I remember: “If you know in your hearts, O pastors, that souls are in danger of being corrupted, misled, and even destroyed, and you do nothing about it, because you do not wish to offend, you shall still have to stand before Jesus."Thanks Laura.
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