With Labor Day now behind us and the school year underway, we're
back into the routine. Which means that Clergy Appreciation Month
is literally right around the corner.

Whether or not your church commemorates Clergy Appreciation in
October, it's vitally important that we raise our spiritual
leader(s) up on a daily basis. It seems to me that a career in the
clergy might in some ways be one of the loneliest professions you
could pick. Rewarding? No doubt. On many levels. Spiritually
fulfilling? Again, that's most certainly a yes. To spend one's
professional life working every day to grow the kingdom of God must
be very special indeed.

At the same time, though, it has the makings of a very tough,
demanding - and lonely - occupation.

We all have days on the job when it seems nothing goes right. You
might be under immense stress with deadlines looming, the boss
might be on your back about something, your co-workers may be
bickering, you might be worried about a layoff...there are any number
of things that could contribute to a "bad day." Maybe it's a string
of bad days.

When that happens, it's not uncommon to talk the situation over
with a spouse or friend, or a trusted business associate. Those
conversations can be a great way to unburden yourself and maybe
come up with some solutions you might not have considered
previously. 

Your pastor or priest has those same bad days from time to time. He
may have more of them than the average person. But unlike the rest
of us, he often doesn't have the luxury of a sounding board.

Just two examples:

First, consider the issue of job performance. While most of us are
faced with performance appraisals once or twice a year, he's being
critiqued on a weekly basis! I guarantee you there is someone
sitting in the congregation on any given Sunday morning who is
thinking that the sermon could have been better, or that the music
wasn't to their liking, or that the service just wasn't "that good." It's
almost a given that at least some of the comments will make their
way back to him. Who's he going to commiserate with about the fact
that no matter what he does, somebody is unhappy?

Then there's his role as counselor. Maybe he's been visiting and
comforting people who are critically ill. Maybe he's talking to
families who are being ripped apart by strife. It can weigh heavily
on the heart to deal with difficult situations such as these. Yet,
we speak to our spiritual leader in confidence. So where can he go
when he's feeling emotional strain or to receive advice about how
to handle a particular situation?

Sometimes we put our spiritual leaders on pedestals of sorts - and
it's got to be a little lonely up there. We might forget that
they're human beings just like we are. They have strengths, and
they have weaknesses. The get tired. They get frustrated. They need
a pat on the back every once in a while, too!

So while Clergy Appreciation Month is a wonderful thing, it's also
important to support clergy all year long with prayers and words of
encouragement. If last week's sermon had a particular impact on
you, say so. Send your spiritual leader a note of appreciation. You
can also support clergy by getting involved in the work of the
church. If we are enthusiastic followers of God, it will mean
something to God and to his ordained servants.

Until next month,
Rebecca Metschke
Founder
The Christian Gift

P.S. Looking for a tangible way to express thanks? Personalized
clergy appreciation plaques created using museum quality materials
are a lovely way to show your appreciation.