forlaypersons

RESOURCES FOR PASTORS APPRECIATION SUNDAY (October)

OCTOBER IS CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH!

Show your pastors (and their families) how much you care. They work hard! go to http://www.NazarenePastor.org for some ideas on how to express your appreciation. Another site of interest: http://www.clergyappreciation.org/

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR

This page is designed for church board members, lay-leaders, etc. This is to be used as a tool to encourage and uplift your Pastor.

Monday: Pray for your pastor's family.

God's peace and protection
A growing love relationship with his/her spouse
A commitment to quality and quantity time together

Tuesday: Pray for wisdom for your pastor.

The mind of Christ
Godly decision-making
Understanding of biblical truth

Wednesday: Pray for your pastor's ministry focus.

Clear vision
Commitment to biblical priorities
Remain true to his/her God-given gifts and strengths

Thursday: Pray for your pastor's health.

Protection of his/her body and mind
An extra portion of stamina and strength
Commitment to stress-releasing activity

Friday: Pray for your pastor's spiritual growth.

A heart for God and the lost
Fresh biblical insights
Personal devotions not related to sermon preparation

Saturday: Pray for your pastor's purity.

Pure motives
Pure thought-life and faithfulness to his/her spouse
Pure commitment to complete integrity

Sunday: Pray for God's anointing on your pastor.

Strength in leadership
Passion in preaching
Fruit and joy in ministry

WHAT DOES A PASTOR DO EACH WEEK?

A question many laypeople ask: "What does a pastor do each week?" - Remember pastors ask the same thing about laypeople. What we don't know about each other raises questions. Here are a FEW things pastors do in a typical week (we could add more if you had the time)

Preaching

Conflict resolution

Land acquisition

Worship planning

Strategic planning

Denominational mtgs.

Small groups

Developing leaders

Community involvement

Prayer

Supervising staff

Problem solving

Calling on the sick

Vision-casting

Crisis management

Crisis intervention

Membership class

Weddings

Building consensus

Hiring/firing staff

One-on-one training

Funerals

Newcomer assimilation

Morale building

Baptism

Evangelism

Stewardship issues

Leading a small group

Discipleship

Counseling

Attending functions

Advertising

Lay ministry

Board meetings

Midweek service, etc.

Issues faced by clergy

According to a fall 1992 survey by "Leadership," the following points were listed as causes for marriage problems in clergy families:

81% insufficient time together
71% use of money
70% income level
64% communication difficulties
63% congregational differences
57% differences over leisure activities
53% difficulties in raising children
46% sexual problems
41% pastor's anger toward spouse
35% differences over ministry career
25% differences over spouse's career

According to a 1991 survey by the Fuller Institute of Church Growth, pastors are overworked, underpaid, often working in a conflicted environment, and seem to be some of the loneliest people:

90% work more than 46 hours a week
80% believed pastoral ministry affected their families negatively
33% believed ministry was a hazard to their family
75% reported a significant stress related crisis at least once in their ministry
50% felt themselves unable to meet the needs of the job
90% felt inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands
70% say they have a lower self esteem now compared to when they started in ministry
40% reported serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month
37% confessed to having been involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church
70% do not have someone they consider a close friend

Please email any suggestions to the district office.