Bishop's CornerIn Praise of Pastors
By Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker
 Theirs may be
the most difficult, the most rewarding, and the most unappreciated
vocation in the world. I am thinking of pastors of local congregations.
Pastors have a difficult vocation. They must be
well educated and thoroughly examined before they are approved for
their office. They must be willing to itinerate or move to where they
are appointed by the bishop and cabinet. They must devote themselves
thoroughly to their congregations. They have to try to bring together
a diverse group of persons to live in unity for a common mission. Most
of all, they are the spiritual leaders of the members of the
congregation, and they live with the awareness that their ministry
will affect whether or not persons become disciples of Jesus Christ
and grow in their knowledge of God, then obedience to Christ, and
their service to others. Often they are targets of criticism by those
who feel they are not setting the right priorities for the
congregation or meeting their spiritual needs.
They also have the most rewarding vocation. They
have the privilege of preaching the Word of God and administering the
sacraments. They go with people through the passages of life. They get
the most joy when persons find faith in the triune God or when their
congregation starts moving forward in creative mission. Pastors are
lovers: they love God, and they love God’s people. Few persons can
experience the psychic reward of living in the arena where people know
communion with God and one another.
Often pastors are unappreciated. They do not do
what they do to be praised. They do what they do because God calls
them and because they know they would violate their own being if they
did not answer this call. Yes, they are deserving of our appreciation.
When I was in college I served two small
congregations as a student pastor. I remember becoming discouraged by
my attempts to fulfill a task for which I was not adequately prepared
and trying to get an education at the same time. I remember driving
from college to the parsonage one Friday afternoon. As I drove I
brooded. When I got home, I found a gift lying on the kitchen table. I
opened the package to find a watch and a note of love and appreciation
from some members of one of the congregations. While that occurred
long ago, I still remember how my spirit was lifted by this simple
gesture of appreciation.
Some congregations plan a “Pastor Appreciation
Day.” Others celebrate the anniversary of their pastor’s
ordination. Some members write notes of appreciation to their pastors.
It seems to me that most congregations have
never found a way to express appropriate appreciation to their pastors
and their spouses. Some thoughtful planning by the Pastor Parish
Relations Committee or just some individual acts of thanksgiving could
enable members to give to that special person who gives so much to
them.
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