Pastor
Appreciation Week
by
Barbara Philbrook
What
exactly does "Pastor Appreciation Week"
mean to you,
does it mean that this week we clap our Pastor and Sandra
on the back and say "thanks for the great job you
both do!"
Perhaps we
should write a list of all of their great qualities and
read it to them in church,
thank them for the great job they do and say how we
appreciate their not leaving us in a lurch.
We could
take up a collection and get them a real expensive gift,
we could hope that this makes up for any area where
we are lacking and that it gives both of their hearts a
lift.
Somehow
this is not what I think that any of this is what
"Pastor Appreciation Week" is supposed to be, I
think It is a time for us to search our hearts and ask
God to help us to see.
That we
may see how very important they are to our church
family,
so we can each know within our heart how deep our
commitment to serve them should be!
The word
"APPRECIATION" is not a simply word you
see,
it has so many connotations and each of them should be
regarded very carefully.
The first
synonym we'll look at is esteem: which means honor and
respect,
and is that what we show our Pastor or are there things
we don't appreciate and therefore reject?
Prize: is
another synonym and it means to treasure,
is that the word you'd use if our Pastor's value to our
church you were asked to measure?
The next
synonym on the list is regard: meaning revere and
admiration,
is that how you'd talk if someone asked you to give a
verbal evaluation?
Now
comes the next synonym acknowledge: to admit,
accept, and respond is what that signifies,
do you allow him in your mind ,accept his teachings, and
do as he implies?
Comprehend:
is the next synonym do you fathom and understand his each
and every sermon,
do you ask God's Holy Spirit to help you to comprehend is
that what you determine?
Realize:
it means to profit and achieve now this one is a real
precious gem,
has your relationship with our Pastor & Sandra caused
you to grow since you've first known them?
Now the
synonym improve: on this list does appear,
meaning to fortify and to enrich which we should be
asking " have We made Their lives any richer
in this past year?"
The word
increase: is the next synonym for us to dissect,
it means to boost assist and to support is this our
way or do we show blatant disrespect?
The last
synonym I'll list is inflate: meaning to develop and
expand,
is this how we effect our Pastor do we each offer him and
Sandra a much needed helping hand?
The
Pastor is the "Shepard of his flock" and
he must lovingly lead them where the Master tells him to
go, if we appreciate our Pastor this is what we each must
determine to show.
We must
pray together and ask God to open our minds so
we'll be assured that our Pastor is led by our
"Loving Father", and determine that as we are
led we will all try harder.
We must
all stand together giving our all to Our Father and His
cause,
all doing our best not allowing the enemy to make us
pause.
United we
will stand while divided we would fall,
let's all render our enthusiasm together as we respond
to our loving Father's call.
Pastor and
Sandra as you give of yourselves to work out God's Great
Master Plan,
we'd consider it an honor if you allow us to be beside
you as you take your mighty stand!
 
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