Monday Morning Manna: Pastor Appreciation Month – Again About Prayer

I’ve written at least once each year about appreciating pastors, usually during October, which is Pastor Appreciation Month. Because God called, “Some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11), they deserve a special time of appreciation. For the first time in over twenty years, I have a new pastor. When his name was shared with our church, I did not know him, but within a few days I discovered that I knew people who knew him: a former ministerial colleague; also a friend from his seminary days; plus a member of his previous church. Because they knew both he, and I, he had heard about me before he arrived at our church. Nevertheless, I was surprised when he contacted me and asked if he could drop by my house, knowing that my wife was home bound for twelve weeks recuperating from an injury and I was a 24/7 caregiver. Between his first and second Sunday as my pastor, he was sitting in my den, visiting and praying for my wife and I. I wanted to ask, “don’t you have more important things to be doing during your first week in town?” but I knew the answer. Sure he did, but he made my wife, and I a priority, the same way our former pastor had done. I know that neither my pastor, nor your pastor, can make every church member a high enough priority to visit often in their home for an hour, and not leave until they pray, but it is sure nice when they do. I spend a lot of time praying for others. It’s nice to be the object of prayer, especially from my pastor. I appreciate that.

Dr. Dan Crawford, Senior Professor at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, is the WestCoast Baptist Association’s Spiritual Life & Leadership Mentor. Follow Dan on Twitter @DrDanRC and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/dan.crawford.