In a September mailing from LCMS Ministerial Growth and Support, Synod congregations received a poster and a suggested bulletin insert to help them observe “Clergy Appreciation Month” and “Clergy Appreciation Sunday” in October.
Clergy appreciation observances have gained momentum throughout church
es since being initiated in the early 1990s by Focus on the Family.
“Clergy Appreciation Month is an excellent time to help the congregation demonstrate love, appreciation and encouragement for your pastor,” Rev. David Muench, executive director of LCMS Ministerial Growth and Support, wrote in a cover letter for the mailing. “Thank you … for your personal encouragement and support to your pastor and his family.”
Muench suggests that congregations observe Clergy Appreciation Sunday during any weekend of October.
The 11-by-17-inch full-color poster, which also was provided by the Synod’s “What a Way” initiative, urges members to “support and strengthen” their pastors, as well as to “celebrate with him.” It also quotes 1 Thess. 5:12-13 and pictures a stained-glass rendering of Christ the Good Shepherd along with several photos illustrating various aspects of pastoral ministry.
Twelve suggestions for “show[ing] appreciation to your pastor for the important work he does” are laid out in the bulletin insert that congregations are invited to copy in quantities for distribution.
The insert directs readers to the http://cmgs.lcms.org website for more ideas for clergy appreciation.
Posted Oct. 6, 2010
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