SPECIAL EDITION:
Pastor Appreciation Month
What does it look like to appreciate your pastor?
Here’s a story straight from Sandy Sisam, who serves as Standing Stone shepherd and one of our regional leaders…
My husband, Dale, and I pastored Life Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota for twenty years. Each October, during Pastor Appreciation Month, our beautiful congregation found creative ways to bless and honor us as their pastors.
October 2019 stands out above all the other years. Dale was closing the service when one of our elders joined him on stage and announced that a Pastor Appreciation reception would follow the morning service.
When Dale and I entered the Fellowship Hall, we discovered they had planned far more than a simple reception. The church went truly above and beyond. The Fellowship Hall was beautifully decorated in our favorite color (purple), with lovely flower centerpieces on white linen tablecloths, balloons, a gift/card table, and a cake.
Erin, one of our young adult leaders, emceed the program. She invited people to share how we had blessed them as their pastors. One by one, they shared stories of how we had touched, changed, and blessed their lives. Tears flowed as our people shared their love for us.
Erin closed the reception with the presentation of a gift for Dale and a gift for me. Dale’s gift was a handmade frame filled with words of thanks and honor. My gift included the words of my favorite scripture James 5:16 … “for tremendous power is released through the passionate, heartfelt prayer of a godly believer.” This beautifully framed gift is the first thing I see every morning.
Life Church and her people are forever in our hearts!
Unbeknownst to us and our congregation, this reception happened to be our last as their pastors. God moved us into our role as shepherds with Standing Stone Ministry the following year. How kind of God to give us such an amazing display of appreciation prior to our ministry transition.
You may never know how God uses your appreciation to strengthen and encourage your pastor and other spiritual leaders. But I guarantee it; your heartfelt appreciation means the world to hem.
