Appreciating Our Pastors: From a Pastor’s Wife
I had another article planned for this week’s blog post. But then my local Christian radio station, WCQR, reminded me of a special day near and dear to my heart…appreciating my pastor.
And not only do I appreciate my pastor on this particular day but on every day.
A Cheerleading Story
“We’ve got spirit, yes we do. We’ve got spirit, how bout you?”
To be a spirit girl would be so cool. Therefore, I tried out for cheerleader in high school.
After the first round, it came down to three of us vying for two available spots. They nixed Yours truly. While disappointed, honestly, the other two girls proved far better at rah-rah stuff—flips, jumps, and everything. (Marnita and Belinda, you girls rocked!)
And my sister, Wendi, ten years younger, grew up blossoming in dance and gymnastics classes. So she was a shoo-in for cheerleader.
But, guess what? I am cheering these days, just in a different way and for a new cause.
I’m my husband Mike’s biggest cheerleader. His cool-spirit-girl. It’s a place I’m blossoming and it rocks!
Appreciating as a Wife
It’s no secret. I’m a pastor’s wife. As duly noted on my blog site and in my author and speaker biographies. The title graces the pages of my story. I use the hashtag often, #pastorswife, on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
And the role has become more important to me the last few years. The Lord is stirring a sense of awareness in my heart for the sanctity of callings.
If we need anything in our #world right now, it’s a heart stirring. A #spiritual awakening. Share on XStill, God’s call to ministry isn’t to be taken lightly. My calling or my husband’s. There was a time I downplayed the awe of it. My life was consumed with life. Cares and duties. Responsibilities and activities. Mostly secular in nature, they lobbied for my precious time and attention.
All that to say I’ve bid farewell to the world’s constant distractions. Actually, I tried before, unsuccessfully. Now my life is more about ministry.
A busy schedule is OK with me if it has kingdom purpose. And when it brings my heart and the hearts of others closer to Jesus.
I’ve resolved to stop and smell the roses. Yet when there aren’t roses, I will stop regardless.
And cease the insanity of the hustle and bustle in life. There is a point it needs to stop or we never have the pleasure of smelling roses along the way…to appreciate.
Pastor Appreciation Shout Out
Sunday, October 8, is Pastor Appreciation Day (Also known as Clergy Appreciation Day). But we set aside the entire month as Pastor Appreciation Month to say, Thank you. A time to honor our pastors and ministers.
For almost 20 years Mike served as a youth pastor. Currently he shepherds as a lead pastor. Here’s my new cheer, “I have a pastor, yes I do. I have a pastor, how bout you?”
So I’m speaking up on behalf of my husband, no matter how many social manners it breaks. Giving a shout out to Mike, and to pastors and ministers everywhere.
Dear pastors, we appreciate your service to the #Lord and to the local #church. Share on XI’ve written blog articles before about our life as a pastor and pastor’s wife. Read them here:
- My Top 6 Confessions about Being a Pastor’s Wife
- Bless My Heart: 6 Greatest Joys in Being a Pastor’s Wife
Think of this blog article as another chapter from the desk of a pastor’s wife. As you turn the page in this story, here are a few things I want you to know.
Appreciating the Duty of Care
One of the meanings for “appreciating” is to be aware of someone’s value. I appreciate my pastor, Mike, who happens to be my husband. I am fully aware of his value as my spiritual leader and the spiritual leader of Believers Church.
You see, pastors provide spiritual direction and care for the church body. Pastors give us valuable leadership and teaching in the ministry of the Word.
And pastors set the example of obedience to the mission of Christ and His Church. “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith” Hebrews 13:7 ESV.
Verse 17 in Hebrews goes on to implore the body of Christ to submit to our spiritual leaders for “they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” That’s some heavy-duty responsibility. One to appreciate.
Appreciating Our Shepherds
Called to shepherd the flock of God, pastors exercise oversight knowing that when the Chief Shepherd appears, they will be rewarded (1 Peter 5:2-4).
Pastors tenderly watch over us as a shepherd watches over his sheep. Shepherds always keep a sheep’s best interest in mind, looking out for the sheep’s well-being.
Do you appreciate your pastor? The duty of care? The valuable leadership? Your pastor’s teaching and ministry of the Word? The shepherding?
I have a pastor, yes I do. A pastor I appreciate. How bout you?
© 2015 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Article revised from the original post in 2015.
Post part of these link ups: Salt & Light, Crystal Twadell/Fresh Market Friday, Crystal Storms/Heart Encouragement, Meg Gemelli/GRITupAndGo, Suzanne Eller/Living Free, Lyli Dunbar/#FaithOnFire button
Images are of Mike and me, design and layout by Adobe Spark.
Karen, thank you so much for sharing this. I’m a pastor’s wife, too! I so appreciate your thoughtful comments and inspiration to appreciate those in a high calling.
Neat, Leslie. Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Yes, may we value the callings God places on our husbands and all pastors. What a privilege it is to do His work. Blessings!
I am the daughter of a Pastor/Evangelist who served the Lord for over fifty years. She was my mom, and she lived her calling…God called her and she said, “Yes!” She preached the Word of God faithfully and obediently. She prayed ceaselessly and fervently and God always answered with signs following. All hours of the night and day the phone would ring with someone needing something, and mom, prayed. But not only did she pray…she went to hospitals, and nursing homes, and homes wherever she was needed because God had called her and she loved the Lord with all her heart. In the grocery store, or gas stations, or in a park or in her own home…whoever God put in her path she’d tell them about her Jesus…and she lead many souls to him, baptized them, married them and even buried them…and taught others the word of God. I grew up hearing and seeing faith in action. I was a cheerleader for my pastor mom…I learned from her that, “Only one life will soon be passed, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Yes Pastor’s have a big job to do…But they have a Bigger God to help get it done!!! For that I appreciate the call on their lives and for them saying, “Yes!” God bless all the Pastor’s today who serve Jesus by serving others!! Wonderful post Karen…you are a spirit girl-cheerleader…I can hear your cheers all way to South Florida!!! 2, 4, 6, 8 Who do we appreciate!!! Goooooooo Pastor’s!
Haha, Marla. So grateful you can hear my cheers and you understand my voice on this theme. I remember you telling me the story of your mom and her calling. I love how you said you grew up “seeing faith in action.” What a testimony! That’s how it should be…a labor of love for the cause of the gospel message modeled for those closest to us. And your cheer is awesome! Hugs! 🙂
Karen, thank you for this reminder of the importance of appreciating our pastors.
Thank you, Debbie, for commenting. I pray we value our pastors spiritual leadership, shepherding and duty of care this month and all year long. Blessings!
I do think Pastors are too often overlooked. We move around a lot and have had the opportunity to see many in action. They work so tirelessly to serve and shepherd their flocks who cannot know the complexities or intricacies of the calling. God bless all the faithful pastors living out His call on their lives!
Very well said, Liz. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your kind words for those we should honor for the sanctity of their calling. It’s like Marla said in this comment thread, “faith in action.” Blessings!
Such a good reminder for us to remember our pastors! My dad was a pastor for 30 years and I had a good glimpse of how much work and sacrifice is involved… not only for the pastor, but for the entire family! Blessings to you and your family, Karen—cheering you on! Stopping by from #FreshMarketFriday 🙂
Thank you, Laura. We could all use more cheering on. Sweet and kind of you. And as a “PK,” I’m sure you do know and realize. Appreciate you sharing and hope this article encourages many to appreciate their pastor and the great work in the name of Jesus Christ.
Hi Karen, I had to chuckle when I saw that your name was Karen. In my head I said, “of course it is!”. lol. I don’t know if you have found this, but in my experience, many Pastor’s wives that I meet are named Karen. 🙂 Myself included! And my husband’s name is Mike! 🙂
Even though my husband currently does not have a flock, he serves in the ministry of pulpit fill. We recently started attending a small church where the Lord is beginning to call stronger Christians to help come along side those in the congregation who are weaker in their Faith. It is a blessing to be a part of ministering to those in the congregation in a unique way. As a Pastor’s wife, I am acutely aware of the ministry God has called ME to and to set a good example in my walk.
I appreciate so much your encouragement to appreciate our Pastors. And I will remember to offer heartfelt encouragement and gratitude to my Pastor this Sunday and of course, to my husband, who has such a heart for preaching and the Word.
Karen, that is crazy, you are another “Karen” and pastor’s wife to a “Mike.” I have met pastor’s wives with the same name, but all various names as well. You and your husband’s current ministry sounds like a wonderful calling too. Love your words and your voice expressing how aware you are of the ministry called as called you to as well. We are called to live a life worthy of the calling (Colossians 1:10). Thanks so much for stopping by, for commenting, and sharing a little of your story and how we are kindred spirits, similar in names and callings, and most importantly…both Jesus girls through and through. Blessings to you and I pray favor, anointing, and God’s glory to be seen in your example and walk and your husband’s current ministry. 🙂
Praise God for all our pastors and their wives. I think it’s very fitting that you would honor your husband on this special day, Karen.
May the Lord bless you and Mike!
Beckie, thank you sweet lady. I hope and pray that I never take it for granted…to always honor and value his position, passion, and calling to labor for the Lord. Blessings to you!
Great reminder! Being a pastor is not an easy job and they definitely need out encouragement and appreciation.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Lesley. I pray we continue to value pastors in their valuable leadership, duty of care, teaching of the Word, and shepherding. Blessings!
Love. It’s wonderful to see how excited you still are after all these years of service. I see so many servants beaten down and exhausted…no longer cheering as they once did. I pray your consistently encouraging messages will reach many this month and all year long. Sharing now!
Meg, thank you. It isn’t always easy, and there are times my loudest cheers…and “Hallelujahs” and “Amens” have become muffled or not heard at all. Yet, when discouragement comes, the Lord encourages my heart so that I can encourage my husband’s heart as shepherd. 🙂
As our church has been without a pastor going on three years now due to the nature of how rural we are located, I can safely say we appreciate all the men and their wives who have served our church family! Keep up the great work of being an encouraging Pastor’s Wife! 🙂
Appreciate you stopping by and commenting, Amber. And thanks for sharing your church story. Yes, may we not take the calling for granted. Prayers for your church and those who are serving the body there. 🙂
Hi Karen. I’ve sat under the leader of several pastors in the past 30+ years and have loved them all. Our current pastor is a missionary to Brazil and home on furlough and while here, God called him to serve as interim pastor. It’s been a year now and we love him! I wrote a post as well, expressing our love for his love for us.
Thank you for sharing your heart as a pastor’s wife. The calling of ‘pastor’ is not an easy one, as you well know, but I’m so glad you and Mike are obedient to His calling and fulfilling His destiny for you. I pray that you both will remain strong in your faith and dedicated to the call. May your walk be firm in the His direction, may your steps be ordered by God and may your words be anointed. Blessings to you both!
Hey Cindy, thank you for sharing the story of your current pastor on missionary furlough and for the prayer and kinds words for me and my husband. Love this line, “May your walk be firm in the His direction, may your steps be ordered by God and may your words be anointed.” Thank you for that. I pray your words would be fulfilled in our ministry. Blessings to you!
What a great post, Karen! Sharing this in honor of Pastor’s Appreciation Month. Blessings to you!
Sarah, thank you! May we never take the Lord’s called and anointed for granted. Appreciate you and your continual encouragement. You’re a blessing!
This was such a sweet, endearing post, Karen! It’s so good to hear from a pastor’s wife the need to show the pastor appreciation. I can only imagine the tough duty it is to be a pastor or the wife of a pastor. Especially since so often, the pastor and his wife typically hear complaints from their congregants instead of what they’re doing right. Thank you for this important reminder!
Sarah, such kind and sweet words from you…thanks so much! Yes, ministry can be a hard road. But I always say the blessings far outweigh the tough parts by a long shot. When others fail us or hurt us, God is faithful to our calling. “God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV) I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment. Blessings!