Pastor Appreciation month is recognized at the Jethro Group. Those of you who have worked with me over the years will recognize this blog. I repeat it every October as a very unique celebration of Pastors.
The health of your church is dependent on a unique and highly complex component. We call it the brains of the organization. Depending on this unique leadership engineering, your church will grow, drift into neutral or shrink. This marvelous component of leadership is so critical that its health mirrors that of your church. Without this unique component, your church thrives or dies.
Paul encourages us to, “Honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 MSG)
Returning to the church office I spotted $18,000 worth of Pastoral encouragement on the sidewalk. Blue suede color with chrome highlights, crossover dual exhaust, slash mufflers, two cylinder 3500 rpm achieving a clean 45 mpg. Our visiting Pastor told us with great enthusiasm how his church gave his Youth Pastor and himself matching Harley Davidson touring motorcycles on Pastor Appreciation Sunday. This church invested $36,000 in Ministry encouragement. Now, the point is not the money and not the motorcycles. The beautiful point is every time these two Pastors ride to work, take a weekend tour or re-tell the story, they are reminded how much they love and are loved by their people.
I work with Pastors and Church Boards on a continual basis. I coach some, others call me for advice and some just need someone to listen. I see and hear the challenges faced by Pastors and their families. I feel their pressure. I feel their stress. Whatever the reason, every day I have the privilege of laughing, praying and crying with Pastors. I love my work.
I haven’t bought any of our Pastors a Hog lately, but it is a dramatic illustration of what people working together in a team, can do to show their Ministry staff their love and appreciation.
Leadership is celebrating and encouraging your Pastoral staff.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com