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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