A Postscript to Pastor Appreciation Month

I admit to being a Scrooge when it comes to special days. Those who know me will attest to the fact that I chafe at the idea of celebrating at certain times when it is expected of me. You might find me on Valentine’s Day proclaiming that “every day is Valentine’s Day at my house.” This is my way of resisting the pressure to show extra special love to my wife on cue, which I find less than genuine. Similarly, I consider every Sunday to be a resurrection celebration and find Easter songs appropriate all year long.

October was Pastor Appreciation Month. I find myself with a similar reaction to Pastor Appreciation Month as I do to Valentine’s Day. Oh, now I should appreciate my pastor, you say? But I will rein in my inner Scrooge and avoid impugning the idea of Pastor Appreciation Month, recognizing that the impulse behind it is good and proper.

Instead, what I hope to do is urge us to not wait for a particular month or until we are prompted to express appreciation for our pastors. Pastoral work is challenging—very challenging. As an elder, my term ends at some point and I am afforded a break from the spiritual work. Pastors carry spiritual burdens they don’t get to lay aside or have a break from. Yes, pastors are specifically called to that work and are remunerated for it. But that does not lessen the reality of spiritual warfare that pastors are immersed in on a day-in, day-out basis.

Hebrews 13:17 speaks broadly of church leaders with words that are particularly applicable for our pastors: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

This passage speaks specifically about obedience and submission leading to joy in the work of leadership, but I would offer that it needn’t stop there and should extend to regular expressions of appreciation. Sometimes I think the opposite comes easier for us. While we have perhaps moved past the historic “roast the preacher” after-church practices that some might recall, we can still have a tendency to spend more time judging our pastors than we do appreciating them.

So yes, by all means, let’s flood our pastors with love and appreciation during October. But just like we don’t wait until once a year to tell our spouses we love them, let's also not forget to act unprompted to offer words of appreciation and encouragement for our pastors throughout the year.