CLERY APPRECIATION: IN HONOR OF SHEPHERDS
As the month of October rolls around each year, we are reminded of the gift that our clergy are to each of us. They pray for us, lead us, administer the sacraments to us, preach Good News to us, officiate at weddings and funerals, provide pastoral care, and call us to a missional vision for our communities and the world. We most often think of our pastors during this month, but clergy also include evangelists, chaplains, ordained educators, and denominational leaders.
Almost half of the lead pastors on the South Central Ohio District are bi-vocational – they are employed at another job and ministry is not their sole means of support. Much like the Apostle Paul’s tent-making occupation, these pastors support their ministry through secular work. Financial necessity forces some to be co-vocational, while others choose secular employment because of the missional opportunities it provides. All of our lead pastors are “full-time” in that ministry is a vocation rather than an occupation, and it is difficult for ministers to be “off the clock.” It is a 24/7 calling.
The expectations placed on pastors are often challenging and sometimes unrealistic. This makes it very important for pastors to establish healthy boundaries. Their faithfulness to their calling and their love for people can result in thin margins and depleted vigor. All that to say, we owe a great deal to our pastors. That’s why each October we remind local churches to publicly recognize their pastors with expressions of appreciation. A little appreciation goes a long way.
As each of our churches participate in Clergy Appreciation Month, I hope that your congregation will participate in lifting up your pastoral staff in every way possible. In 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-13, Paul writes, “And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!”
I am immensely grateful for those churches who seek to be encouragers to pastors. May your tribe increase.
The Call Sunday, October 12: Inspiring a New Generation of Ministers
Every pastor in the Church of the Nazarene carries a story – deeply personal, often unexpected, always sacred – of how God called them into ministry. Whether it came as a quiet whisper, a moment of clarity at an altar, or through the persistent encouragement of a mentor, the call is the foundation of a life devoted to serving Christ and His Church. Now more than ever, we need pastors to share those stories. What if your story is the spark that helps someone recognize God’s voice in their own life?
We are inviting pastors across the district to preach on the call to ministry on Sunday, October 12. Preach about the God who still calls. Tell your congregation how you heard His voice. Let them hear about your doubts, your obedience, and the moments of affirmation along the way. There is power in your testimony.
Some in your congregation – young and old – may be sensing a nudge from God but are unsure what to do with it. When you stand before them and say, “This is how God called me,” you offer a model for discernment. When you speak honestly about the challenges and joys of ministry, you make the call real and attainable.
A sermon on the call is also a moment to issue an invitation. Encourage your people to listen for God’s voice. Make space for those who feel prompted to respond. Offer to walk with them in prayer, reflection, and next steps. We are not only preaching a message; we are nurturing a pipeline of future leaders.
Be intentional. Preach the call. Tell your story. Create a culture where the calling to ministry is spoken of often, prayed over deeply, and celebrated widely and wildly. The next generation of Nazarene pastors, missionaries, and leaders is sitting in our pews. Your voice might be what helps them say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
Eddie Estep
District Superintendent
