Welcome to "Tuesday Morning"—offering encouragement to Christians everywhere.

 

I'm thinking that it was around 1997 when I first heard about the month of October being established as "Pastor Appreciation Month."  Focus on the Family and their creative leadership team got the movement rolling.  And the concept has grown exponentially since its launch date. Let me say it again, October is Pastor Appreciation Month. If you are a pastor, you may want to forward this email (and attachment) to the Chairman of your Church Board. Mark it FYI, so the chairman doesn't think the entire idea started with you. If you are the Chairman of the Church Board where you attend, you may want to forward this email (and attachment) to the other members of the Board. If you are neither of the above, consider yourself as a committee of one to make sure that your pastors are honored sometime next month.

 

The important thing is that Christians everywhere take the time and initiative to honor their pastors. I wish it were every month, not just October. But every great movement needs a beginning point.

 

This week's "Tuesday Morning" is entitled "America's Finest." It begins with a tribute to our Nation's armed forces. But its primary focus is on America's pastors—"God's Finest." Continue reading below whenever you are ready to share a blessing with those who minister at your church.

 

Tom Barnard

A Senior Encourager

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America’s Finest

Tom Barnard

 

he flight attendant was giving instructions to the passengers in preparation for landing at OKC’s Will Rogers World Airport. You know how the instructions begin: “Ladies and Gentlemen, in preparation for landing, please return your seatbacks to their upright and fixed position….”

 

Then she added, “We are honored today to have on board several of our nation’s finest—members of our armed forces. Please join me in recognizing them with your applause.” The cabin erupted in a loud applause that lasted for at least a full minute. If we could have risen to our feet, it would have been a standing ovation. It was a proud, emotional moment. If I could have seen everyone’s faces, I am sure I would have seen tears in some of their eyes.

 

No one asked which branch of service they represented, although all were dressed in the standard olive and gray uniforms. A generation ago the uniforms were olive-green and we called them “fatigues.” There was nothing “fatigued” about this group of warriors. No one asked where they served and what role they played. No one asked if they had been in combat yet. No one asked if they were Republicans, Democrats, or Independents. No one asked how they planned to vote in November’s presidential election. No video-cams were running. No one asked where they attended college or where their families lived. They are America’s Finest! No other questions were necessary.

 

Fast-forward to next month. October is Pastor Appreciation Month in America (and perhaps other parts of the world). Churches of all denominations are being encouraged to recognize those who serve in places of leadership in their churches—senior ministers, associate ministers, age-group ministers, and everyone who serves in local church ministry. Some churches will even recognize retired ministers in their church.

 

The type of recognition is less important than the fact of recognition. I have never met anyone in ministry who was—in my opinion—overpaid for their services. Many in church ministries today are part-time ministers and part-time employees of secular companies. I have heard it said that at least thirty percent of Christian ministers in the USA are bi-vocational, or multi-vocational. Translation: their churches don’t offer enough salary and benefits for these ministers to live above the poverty level. Their kids wear clothing donated by other families (or purchased at clothing stores operated by charitable organizations).
 

A very high percentage of parsonage homes include spouses who work full-time outside the home in order to make ends meet.

 

The sad part of all of this is that most of these parsonage families are not complaining! They answered a call to serve the Lord, and they never asked about salaries and benefits. They never asked if they could receive a housing or car allowance. Many of the parsonages provided by their churches are so inadequate that members of congregations would never think about living in such modest housing themselves. Some of America’s ministers never even expected to have family medical insurance paid for them when they hired on. And a very high percentage of them never asked about retirement benefits. Like almost everyone wearing the uniform of their country, today’s ministers simply answered the call and left the results of that commitment to someone else or to God.

 

Nevertheless, America’s ministers are generally under-appreciated, under-resourced, under-paid, and many are expected to work 60 hours a week and never complain about anything. Do your ministers and their families fit any of the descriptions I have mentioned above? If so, you have a chance to make up for months and years of neglect by setting aside the month of October and do the right things for those who serve you and your community in ministry. Call it whatever you want. Just do it. And do it now.

 

We call our military, “America’s Finest.” Isn’t it about time we honored “God’s Finest”? They are the ones who serve week-in and week-out in America’s churches. Show them with the honor they deserve.

 

If you are looking for ideas on how to honor them, write to me and ask. I’ve got answers.