Dear Pastors, Thank You

Thank you.

Thank you for investing in me and so many others in ways that I will never realize.

Thank you for choosing to live your life dedicated to truth. For knowing the Word of God and sowing it into me. Thank you for the late nights and early mornings spent studying scripture and researching as you craft your messages.

Thank you for the hours spent listening to me and countless others. Thank you for listening without judgement and being a safe space where I could find the forgiveness I so desperately needed. Thank you for the times you had to speak hard truth into my brokenness…even when I didn’t want to hear or receive it.

Thank you for answering those late night calls from people I don’t even know but are part of our church body. Those calls often led to middle of the night hospital visits, difficult conversations and helping people walk through circumstances you never could have imagined. Thank you for being willing to do hard things and help others be brave as they faced the unimaginable.

Thank you for being tenderhearted and compassionate in the face of grief and joy-filled as you shared in our celebrations. Thank you for becoming part of our extended family, even when that required you to sacrifice time with your own family.

Thank you for creating lasting memories for our families during each holiday. Church is so central to our memory-making during the holidays. You make these beautiful memories possible. Thank you for leading the other staff members well and intentionally investing in them so they can shepherd and lead as well.

Thank you for sacrificing time and energy you could have, maybe even should have, poured into your own family. Thank you for juggling your own family responsibilities as you sought to meet the many, many needs of our church family.

Thank you for the countless hours you have spent praying for me, for us, for the church. Thank you for the nights you have spent awake, instead of sleeping, because you bear the weight of so many and so much. Thank you for the stress you carry on our behalf.

Thank you for the responsibility you shoulder to minister the way you do. Thank you for choosing to follow His calling on your life. You say it is all worth it. You choose daily to take up this cross and follow hard after His call on your life.

Thank you truly isn’t enough. But today, I honor you for all you do each day. I honor you for the years you have poured into ministry. You are a difference maker and a life changer.

You are a pastor and leader. For you, this day, I am so ever thankful.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. How will you honor your pastor and church leaders?