October has long been recognized worldwide as Pastor Appreciation Month, or Clergy Appreciation Month. The call to honor our church leaders’ contributions can be traced back to the Apostle Paul. In establishing the first Christian churches, Paul advised the congregation to give “double honor” to the elders of the church who managed the affairs of the church well, “especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).
Paul further urged Christian communities to acknowledge those “who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you,” holding these spiritual leaders “in the highest regard in love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
In 1994, the American Christian organization Focus on the Family began promoting Clergy Appreciation Month as a national month of observance. In highlighting Clergy Appreciation Month, Focus on the Family sought to encourage the faithful to outwardly show their appreciation for spiritual leaders on a national level.
Given everything that the people who serve pastorally do, we should take time to appreciate and encourage them and their staff members. Whether you choose to honor your spiritual leaders and their staff during Pastor Appreciation Month or another time of year, it is important to make this a priority for the church.
October 13, 2024 is Pastor Appreciation Day —a time for congregations within the IPHC to formally recognize the work of their spiritual leaders.
Pastor Appreciation Day is a joint venture between Women’s and Men’s Ministries. Click the links below for resources to use for your Pastor Appreciation service.
Please make a special effort to honor your pastors on October 13, 2024.
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine (1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV).”
RESOURCES
Clergy Appreciation from Focus on the Family - a free guide to Pastor Appreciation.
Pastor Appreciation Day Article - by Bishop Tommy McGhee.
Pastor Care Initiative - Find out how your pastor can receive a Now & Later Grant! - IPHC Clergy Development
Article Submitted By: Bishop Mike Ainsworth
Conference Superintendent
Cornerstone Conference IPHC
コメント