Thoughts From a Pastor’s Wife on Clergy Appreciation

By Karen Friday

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. Yours truly was the one nixed. While I was disappointed, honestly, the other two girls were far better at rah-rah stuff—flips, jumps … everything. (Marnita and Belinda, you girls rocked!)

Wendi, my sister who is ten years younger, grew up blossoming in dance and gymnastics classes. She was a shoo-in for cheerleader.

I’m my husband’s biggest cheerleader. His cool-spirit-girl. It’s a place I’m blossoming and it rocks!

#PastorsWife

It’s no secret. I’m a pastor’s wife. It’s noted on my blog site and in my author/speaker biographies. It’s written on the pages of my life as part of my story. I use the hashtag often on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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 stirring. A spiritual awakening.

I don’t view God’s calling in ministry 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 have tried before—unsuccessful. Now my life is more about ministry. A busy schedule is okay with me when it has kingdom purpose.

I’ve resolved to stop and smell the roses. And when there aren’t roses, I will stop regardless.

To stop the insanity of the hustle and bustle. There is a point it will have to stop or we will never have the pleasure of smelling roses along the way. To appreciate.

Pastor-Appreciation-Shout-Out

Sunday, October 11th, is National Clergy Appreciation Day. But we set aside the entire month to say, thank you. The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month. A time to honor our clergy members.

Mike was a youth minister for almost 2o years and is now a lead pastor. My new cheer, “I have a pastor, yes I do. I have a pastor, how bout you?”

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.

I’ve written about pastors and wives if you’ve missed it. Confessions and Lessons Learned from a Pastor’s Wife. Part 2, 6 Greatest Joys and Blessings of 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.

Duty of Care

One of the meanings of appreciate 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.

Pastors provide spiritual direction and care for the church body. They give us valuable leadership and teaching in the ministry of the Word.

They 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 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 that should be appreciated.

Shepherds Under the Chief Shepherd

Pastors are called to shepherd the flock of God and exercise oversight knowing that when the Chief Shepherd appears, they will be rewarded. (Reference, 1 Peter 5:2-4.) Our pastors tenderly watch over us as a shepherd watches over his sheep. The shepherd always has the sheep’s best interest in mind, concerned 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