CLERGY APPRECIATION DAY 10/09/11

Today is a day set aside to recognize and show appreciation those in formal religious leadership positions. Not many people are aware of all that goes into serving a congregation or ministry, or the effect that service has on the clergy and their families. My family happens to be Lutheran and my husband is the pastor of a congregation. We may joke about some of the stereotypes of ministers, but those stereotypes come from some common misconceptions on some level. Many people make assumptions that are not true. In spite of these, God continues to love us and use us.

"It doesn't take much to become a minister" - while in some church denominations a person can simply be "called" without the education, that is often not the case. In the Lutheran church it takes 4 years of college plus 4 years of seminary education, and they end up with a masters degree after those 8 years. Their education includes learning Greek and Hebrew so that they can go back to the original texts and truly interpret it in context of the original language. In their 7th year of education they spend one full year (12 months) in a church where they are assigned to go (anywhere in the U.S.) and to work under the supervision of an experienced minister. They all hope not to be assigned to a place that sounds difficult, like Zap, North Dakota, population 237 (there really is such a place!) In their 5th, 6th and 8th years at the seminary they also work weekends in local churches around the seminary (and sometimes find their spouses there!).

"They only work on Sundays" - while in some church bodies, the minister is only part time and must have a secular job to support themselves, there are many where the ministry is their full time job, which is the case in our church body. But people often don't understand why it takes full time to do the job. They do not realize that the pastor has office hours so that many forms of counseling can take place, or that members often come in with questions and concerns about the ministry, etc. There are often Bible Studies/classes to prepare for and to teach throughout the week. There are board and committee meetings to attend, bulletins and newsletters to contribute to or compile. Phone contacts are made. And sermon preparation is at least begun (my husband spends 15+ hours every week on each sermon, researching and writing/rewriting, even if he has preached on that very same lesson multiple times). All this during office hours. Then there are "calls" to make in person outside of office hours - visiting shut-ins at home or in facilities who cannot make it to church, visiting sick people in the hospital or rehab units or in hospice or at their homes, checking on people who have not been in church recently, and making evangelism contacts. There are also evening meetings or activities in many churches. My husband only takes off on Fridays and on Sunday afternoons, so he works well over 40 hours/week. And he is always on call, often getting calls in the middle of the night or in his off times. God's work is "never done". (That's why some people say God is a woman! LOL) This can all be very stressful for the pastors, and for their families. It is important for the pastor to take care of their own physical, spiritual and mental health, and to take care of their own family, over and above the congregation. Otherwise the pastor will not be able to serve well. In spite of all this, it is a joy to serve the Lord!

"They work for me so I can tell them how they should be doing their job" - they actually work for the "Big Guy upstairs", and sometimes have to do things that don't agree with members. They can never please everyone. Some members want a "young" pastor and others want one with many years of experience - sometimes the same people want both wrapped up in the same pastor! Some people like a sermon that sounds like a conversation, others want it to be fire and brimstone - for the other guy - "let 'em have it!" - (not realizing that every sermon applies to every person). Even if your hands or your ancestors' hands literally built the church building, it is not your church, nor is it the pastor's church - it is God's church.

"Evangelism is the minister's job" - when people outside of the church see a minister coming or learn the person coming to them is a minister, they often assume it is just "their job" to say those things. But when a friend, neighbor or family member says them, it carries much more meaning to them. And each and every one of us is called on to share the Gospel with others - not just the pastor of the church.

"Successful ministry means the church is growing; if it's not growing, there is something wrong!" - actually, God calls us to be faithful servants, not "success stories". Sometimes that means the church will temporarily shrink as things transition. But as long as we remain faithful to God's teachings, He will use us for his glory.

So, hopefully you have a good understanding of what YOUR ministers do in your churches, and this posting expands your understanding of what the "job" might entail. May you show your appreciation in whatever way you feel fitting today, and every day, remembering that in doing so you are thanking God for his servant in your midst. Paul's message to Philemon and prayers for him are a great example:

I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 1:4-7 NIV

Blessings, Jan Andersen