He closes with a prayer, the band plays another song, and you are suffused with a sense of God’s goodness.Īnd then someone else stands up, grabs a microphone, and talks for five minutes about how much the pastor does for the church people, and how they should appreciate him every day, but especially this month, and that there will be an usher at the door with an offering plate, and everyone should give whatever they can so the church can buy him a nice gift. Then, another guy gets up, directs you to open the Bible you find under the seat in front of you, and shares a message that clearly comes from his heart and touches yours. A band plays songs that, while unfamiliar, tug at your heart and bring a few tears to your eyes. A guy gets up and prays to start the worship service. You walk in, are warmly greeted, chat with someone you recognize from the office of your apartment complex, and sit down in a well-lit, comfortable room. You’ve never really been a church-goer, but the new setting, loneliness, and curiosity have led you to “check out” the church down the street. ![]() Imagine a scene with me: you have just moved to a new area. The church and its pastors survived for a long time without it, and we can do so again. (I mean, Valentine’s Day is a manufactured holiday, but ask a boyfriend or husband who has neglected it to his own detriment if it is a worthy holiday.)īut, its artificiality is a reminder of its dispensability. It’s not the only artificial holiday, nor does its artificiality mean it is automatically unworthy. It was invented by a group of clergy in 1992, promoted by a prominent Christian organization in 1994, and bought into by Christian retailers throughout the country as a great way to unload their overstock of pastor’s office tchotchkes. It’s not a religious holiday like Christmas. Pastor Appreciation Month isn’t a natural holiday, like New Year’s Day. But here are seven reasons I think churches shouldn’t celebrate Pastor Appreciation Month: 1. It is artificial If your church still chooses to celebrate it, I don’t plan on fighting you over it. I understand that I am probably in the minority. It’s not that I don’t think it’s biblical to appreciate pastors I just don’t think Pastor Appreciation Month is the best way to go about it. But I’ve read startlingly few pieces questioning whether or not we should actually have this weirdly-niche holiday in the first place. ![]() I’ve read guides for how to give better gifts during this month. I have read posts from other pastors, church leaders, and church members expressing the necessity of a month dedicated to appreciating pastors. It may seem strange that I, a pastor, would lament that this month has been unofficially but nonetheless nationally recognized as “Pastor Appreciation Month.” And yet, I do. Unfortunately, it’s also Pastor Appreciation Month. Fall colors in the trees, lots of crisp mornings and clear nights, the sudden availability of pumpkin spice-flavored everything, and more. As far as months go, October really stands out.
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