October is "Clergy Appreciation Month"

Take a moment this month to focus on what you appreciate most about your pastoral leaders and any other staff you may have. 

Here are a few suggestions to share with your particular congregation. 

At the very least, send a hand-written note to your clergy to share your appreciation.  Our words matter.  Make it personal and thoughtful rather than a quick “shout out” on Facebook.

Other tangible acts of appreciation may include the following:

• Offer gift cards or a “coupon” for free babysitting and/or parent sitting so clergy may enjoy an evening with a spouse or with friends.

• Remember birthday, anniversaries, ordination dates and starting dates.  Pastors and staff remember when they began in their current positions. Show them that you do too!

  
  

• In your particular governing board, consider carefully the needs of your pastor and/or staff when considering compensation or holiday gifts. 

  Would it help to offer a gift toward seminary/college debt?

  Would it help to start a fund for a child nearing college or in

  Would it help to provide furniture or clothing for a baby or grandbaby on the way?

Be present to – and for – your pastoral leadership.  Listen deeply when your staff speaks.  Love fully.  Forgive freely.  Clergy and any type of church staff are under tremendous pressures; and they, like each of you, are human.  Dismantle the pedestal and offer your hand to help them down.

Remember that your pastoral staff is called to lead.  They are not called to be soothing chaplains or false prophets in order to make everyone “happy”.  Your staff is called to be deeply faithful in ways which may conflict with societal values of “success”.  Such a leading can be tremendously uncomfortable and challenging.  Be generous with your encouragement and careful with critiques.

Remember to speak directly to – and with – your pastoral staff (not other people in the community or congregation) when you are concerned about a particular issue.  Think long and hard, discern and pray, before offering a concern to your staff to be sure that it is a viable concern vs. a personal preference.

Most of all, remember to enjoy these unique souls, who were made in God’s image and who long to be known fully, loved deeply, and engaged meaningfully in the work of God’s restoration and repair of the world.

Blessings,

Deb