Hug a Pastor Day
Okay, don't literally hug your pastor. Especially if you're a woman and your pastor is a man. That could be awkward. Unless your pastor is your husband -- which luckily for me is the case. I get to hug my pastor whenever I feel like it, but that's hardly the point of this blog.
The title "Hug a Pastor Day" really isn't a call for a literal day of pastor-hugging. This blog is a call to consider the needs of your pastor so that you can show him the love and respect he needs in order to continue to effectively do one of the world's hardest jobs. Pastors work for low pay (even lower than teachers) because they feel called to serve God and mankind through ministry. Some pastors even work a "regular" job during the week and pastor their congregation with any time that is leftover. Pastors have the daunting task of studying Scripture, commentaries, other texts, Hebrew, Greek, and the occasional joke book to write their weekly sermons. They need to strike just the right balance of humor, insight, exegesis, human interest, and application -- all while making sure the Holy Spirit has room to speak. These sermons have to be a "home run" each week to hold the attention of congregation members and leave people feeling properly "fed". Of course, there has to be a proper balance between conviction and inspiration, along with the periodic "stewardship" sermon thrown in to keep the church budget intact.
While writing these home-run sermons, pastors also have to "shepherd" their "flock" through their various life events (births, hospitalizations, pre-marriage, marriage, divorce, dying, and death) at whatever time of day these events happen. Pastors also have to connect with congregation members throughout the week using letters, emails, Facebook posts, blogs, phone calls, coffee meetings, lunches, small group meetings, and various committee meetings -- and with the bits of time that are leftover, he might get to connect with his family.
Let's not forget the expectations we have of our pastor. He should be loving at all times. Always kind, encouraging, full of wisdom, and amazingly able to bend his schedule to meet whatever needs arise. He should be able to hear complaints of congregation members at any time and presented in any manner (including Sunday mornings right before delivering that home-run sermon) without expressing any disappointment or self-doubt. Because of your pastor's great spiritual-maturity, his ministry (and his attitude) will not be negatively affected in the least by these criticisms. Your pastor will continue to do his job with a smile on his face and a word of encouragement on his tongue because that is what God called him to do.
If you want to Hug your Pastor then offer him a compliment once in a while. Offer to pray with him or for him. Ask him if there is anything he needs help with around his house or at the church. Make sure he and his wife have ample time to spend together outside of ministry commitments and maybe offer to let his kids come over to play with your kids on a Sunday afternoon so he can take a much needed nap. Do you really want to encourage your pastor? Invite him to lunch or coffee sometime during the week and ask him how you can help pray for or reach out to your community. Be part of his ministry as a partner, not just a consumer.
The title "Hug a Pastor Day" really isn't a call for a literal day of pastor-hugging. This blog is a call to consider the needs of your pastor so that you can show him the love and respect he needs in order to continue to effectively do one of the world's hardest jobs. Pastors work for low pay (even lower than teachers) because they feel called to serve God and mankind through ministry. Some pastors even work a "regular" job during the week and pastor their congregation with any time that is leftover. Pastors have the daunting task of studying Scripture, commentaries, other texts, Hebrew, Greek, and the occasional joke book to write their weekly sermons. They need to strike just the right balance of humor, insight, exegesis, human interest, and application -- all while making sure the Holy Spirit has room to speak. These sermons have to be a "home run" each week to hold the attention of congregation members and leave people feeling properly "fed". Of course, there has to be a proper balance between conviction and inspiration, along with the periodic "stewardship" sermon thrown in to keep the church budget intact.
While writing these home-run sermons, pastors also have to "shepherd" their "flock" through their various life events (births, hospitalizations, pre-marriage, marriage, divorce, dying, and death) at whatever time of day these events happen. Pastors also have to connect with congregation members throughout the week using letters, emails, Facebook posts, blogs, phone calls, coffee meetings, lunches, small group meetings, and various committee meetings -- and with the bits of time that are leftover, he might get to connect with his family.
Let's not forget the expectations we have of our pastor. He should be loving at all times. Always kind, encouraging, full of wisdom, and amazingly able to bend his schedule to meet whatever needs arise. He should be able to hear complaints of congregation members at any time and presented in any manner (including Sunday mornings right before delivering that home-run sermon) without expressing any disappointment or self-doubt. Because of your pastor's great spiritual-maturity, his ministry (and his attitude) will not be negatively affected in the least by these criticisms. Your pastor will continue to do his job with a smile on his face and a word of encouragement on his tongue because that is what God called him to do.
If you want to Hug your Pastor then offer him a compliment once in a while. Offer to pray with him or for him. Ask him if there is anything he needs help with around his house or at the church. Make sure he and his wife have ample time to spend together outside of ministry commitments and maybe offer to let his kids come over to play with your kids on a Sunday afternoon so he can take a much needed nap. Do you really want to encourage your pastor? Invite him to lunch or coffee sometime during the week and ask him how you can help pray for or reach out to your community. Be part of his ministry as a partner, not just a consumer.
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