Over the next few days I want to look at some of the ways that a congregation or judicatory could build appreciation for the work of the pastor/educator.
In our community there is a pastoral counseling center that offers counseling at a reasonable rate to people in the community. Because they see themselves as a ministry, they have reached our to the churches for support. Recently the board decided it would be a good idea to give something back to the pastors of the community. The plan is as follows.
Building on the idea that October is pastor’s appreciation month, we will send a letter to the lay leader of as many churches as we can. The letter will explain that we want to offer a “pastor’s appreciation banquet” for the pastors and their spouses in the community. This will be a nice banquet at a local hotel. What we are asking the churches is if they would raise $100 to cover the supper and program for the pastor and his or her spouse.
If they are willing to do that, we will also ask them to write a letter expressing appreciation for the work of their pastor to accompany their check for $100. At the banquet, in addition to a speaker and entertainment, we will also have a drawing from the letters submitted. The winner will receive a two night stay at the hotel. We may also build into the program a selective reading of some of the letters but without names attached. Then, following the program, we will send the letters to the pastors so that they can see the church’s appreciation for their ministry.
The program itself will be a mixture of some insightul comments about the future of the church, some singing and some comedy. It is meant to be an uplifting celebration of ministry within our community.
The ecumenical aspect of this effort has an appeal. It will provide the gathered pastors contact with others who are also serving churches in their community.
Judicatory leaders could create a similar event by consulting with the leaders of other judicatories in their area.
