Editor’s Note: For the past few issues, the Outlook has highlighted the ministries of church pastors. Here Presbyterian pastors recall members’ expressions of thanks. Also in this issue, we publish individual expressions of appreciation from churches to their pastors.
Unexpectedly a member stopped into my office a few weeks ago carrying a large, professionally framed photograph of a beach sunset. She said that the minute she saw it she thought of me. Looking at the photo of the beach scene, with a somewhat broken wind fence in the foreground and a rainbow in the background, I asked, “Why?” She replied, “Because you often break down barriers and think out of the box. Or, it could have something to do with mending fences. But for sure, the rainbow in the background is for God’s Hope you remind us to remember.” — Lisa Rzepka, associate pastor, Providence Church, Fairfax, Va.
A woman in one of my interim congregations, whose husband had died in the last few years, sent me a monetary gift on my own wedding anniversary and urged me to take my husband out to dinner and celebrate large. By this I knew she appreciated my marriage, my husband, and the contributions these make to my ministry. Thanks be to God for people like her! — Joan Gray, moderator of General Assembly, Atlanta, Ga.
A small group in our ministry gave my wife and me a gift that they would not have been able to give us individually, one that not only affirmed our ministry but built up our marriage. They presented us a gift certificate for a carefully chosen bed and breakfast inn. I can still remember driving through a beautiful mid-winter countryside to the warm and inviting inn where we enjoyed great meals and a quiet get-away seemingly tailor-made for us! — Pat Smith, associate pastor, Zionsville Church, Zionsville, Ind.
In the past two years our Korean congregation reconstituted itself as The Church of All Nations, an intentional multicultural church. We merged with an Anglo Presbyterian church, and we moved into a new church building. With over a dozen ethnicities, cultures, and denominational backgrounds, our life together is complex! In order to help get better equipped for the work ahead, they granted me a six-month sabbatical. Their faith, risk, and generosity taught us to let go of each other and trust God in all things. As I now return, I feel refreshed and energized and ready to be immersed in our congregational life again. I’ve never felt closer to them, even though I have been away for half a year. I am deeply grateful for this congregation. — Jin S. Kim, pastor, Church of All Nations {PC(USA)}, Minneapolis, Minn.
One of the ways I knew the congregation I was serving appreciated my pastoral leadership was when they invited members to give to an endowment I had helped establish for the church and its ministry. That gesture and the gifts that were given continue to encourage my ministry. I am grateful for the blessing of Westminster Church in Austin, Texas. — Laura Mendenhall, president, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Ga.
This past spring and summer were particularly jam-packed with professional duties and family events. Regrettably, I failed to take time off at the end of one school/church year before launching extensive fall ministries.
As I was on the verge of burnout, a family in the church offered me the use of their beach house with “no strings attached.” They e-mailed: “We’re glad you are there — enjoy and know that God is there for you. Feel his healing love and warmth that follows you and precedes you. Have some fun as well!” I walked for miles along the Atlantic, joyfully practicing solitude and silence. Because of their generosity, the Lord helped me regain centeredness and sanity! I’m grateful! — Anne Hilborn, associate minister, Providence Church, Charlotte, N.C.
My great encouragement and the occasion of my thanksgiving has always been those folk who initiated weekly prayer times with me, and stuck at it, praying with me and for me in all circumstances in my several congregations. — Robert T. (Bob) Henderson, HR, Tucker, Ga.
I was given a notebook in which many of the members wrote a brief note about why they appreciated me as their pastor. I received a monetary gift as well, but the notebook meant so much more and is something that I have held onto long after I left that particular church. — Greg Wiest, Glade Run Church, Valencia, Pa.
When I stood for the office of moderator of the General Assembly this past spring, my congregation stood with and behind me. Almost thirty members, including four of our 12 active elders, traveled from Milwaukee to Birmingham to be there for the night of the election. The deacons arranged a welcome at the hotel that included beautiful flowers, a basket filled with creature comforts: slippers, foot lotion, scented candles, and soaps; and another with cheese, crackers, snacks, chocolate, and a bottle of wine! They also included a card with very good tickets to a post-GA baseball game back home. The deacons truly took seriously that pastoral care sometimes means care of the pastor. — Deborah Block, Immanuel Church, Milwaukee, Wisc.
A group of men “kidnapped” my wife and me to send us out for a dinner. They followed with handing me symbolic expressions of how much I had touched their lives and how much they appreciated me. This was a powerful evening I will never forget. — Daniel Frank, minister of mission and discipleship, Orchardhill Parish Church, Church of Scotland (Glasgow Presbytery).
Our “official” greeter is mentally challenged. She always has a smile and a hug for everyone who walks in the door. She is able to remember if someone has missed a Sunday, and if there has been an illness or a tragedy in the family. She also reminds everyone, that “we have the best pastors in the whole world.” — Cathy Ulrich, co-pastor, Central Church, Ft. Smith, Ark.
On Sunday, October 1, 2006, following 8:30 a.m. worship, one of my precious young friends came to the door where I was greeting worshipers. Grace (her real name), a six-year-old with the faith of Mary, handed to me her “offering envelope,” that had written upon it, “Please look inside.”
After the second service, I saw the envelope on my desk where I had left it earlier. Following the instructions, I did indeed “look inside.” Along with her “tithe” (she faithfully gives from her allowance), there was a note. It too bore the instructions, “Look inside.” Unfolding the torn corner of a bulletin, I read these words penciled: “I love your sermonds(sic) and I love you … Grace.”
To such as these belongs the kingdom. — Dr. John Wright Coker Jr. (Jay), First Church, Fayetteville, N. C.
In my last church, in celebration of my fifth year, I was given an extra weekend off, with childcare paid for, so that my husband and I could take a weekend away. After seven years, I had a 10-week sabbatical. At 10 years, a collection of money was taken (totally over $4,000) for us to take a family trip.
Each of the staff, from pastor to custodian to paid childcare providers, were given Christmas gifts in the form of a check. The congregation was invited to participate by recognizing with thanksgiving our ministries with cash gifts (rather than giving us presents). All of us appreciated these, and we were able to write one corporate newsletter word of thanks rather than endless thank you notes for loaves of zucchini bread.
Recently (in my new church), a church member took me out to lunch just to have lunch — no agenda, no church business, just a nice lunch and good conversation and caring support for me as a relatively new pastor. People here say “thanks” a lot and it means a lot — for a sermon, for pastoral work, whatever — those expressions of gratitude go a long way to nurture my work and my spirit. — Name withheld on request.
Recently, I received a card from a dedicated officer who is very involved in our church. The card was designed to be given to one’s pastor, and it simply said how much she appreciated my leadership and how blessed our congregation was to have me as the pastor. It seems strange, but that card meant the world to me. It was a great encouragement, and reminded me that I am appreciated by those who are hard at work in the Lord’s vineyard, as I am. I praise God for this person, her card, and for a sense that God is at work in our midst, even through my fumbling efforts. — Rich McDermott, pastor, First Church, Fort Collins, Colo.
On the 10th anniversary of my tenure here, they established an endowment fund at Columbia Theological Seminary in my honor to support the Campbell Scholars program in which I participated in 2002 (a sabbatical fall for me).
But truly, what means more to me than either of these is the gift of TRUST that this congregation extends to me on a daily basis. They have learned to lay off the pettiness. No playing “gotcha” with the pastor. No lurking around to see if she is in her office. No unrealistic expectations that the pastor is supposed to be anything other than the human being God created her to be. Lots of forgiveness when it is required (which would be more or less on a daily basis). This makes every day feel like “pastor appreciation day”! — Lib McGregor Simmons, pastor, University Church, San Antonio, Texas.
Five years ago, my daughter, Rebecca, was having several hundred seizures per day. The doctors told us that if she didn’t have a radical brain operation, a hemispherectomy, in which half her brain would be removed, she would not live much longer. Her body hurt and the extreme epilepsy made it difficult for her to have any relationships. She needed the surgery, although she might not survive it. My wife and I were desperate. Having spent most of our savings on medical expenses, we had not had a family vacation in years. So we cobbled together a shoestring budget vacation to Disney World. I planned on driving all night long so we could avoid another night of hotel costs. All we wanted to do was get her into the park so she could hug Minnie Mouse whom she loved dearly.
The word got out that we were going to Disney World. Church members figured that we were either going on the cheap or going in debt. So secretly, they took a love offering that more than covered the cost of airfare and all other expenses. A family donated use of a rental van and a first-rate suite.
The vacation was joyful for everyone. We wept watching Becca laugh and giggle as she hugged Minnie Mouse.
To wrap up the story, the surgery and the recovery went well. Becca is a peppy, joyful young lady who sings in the chancel choir at church every Sunday.
The gift of appreciation my congregation gave to me as a pastor wasn’t a vacation. It was to allow me to be human in my time of greatest trial and to treat me as part of a family and as a member of their family. — Chris Yim, pastor, Neelsville Church, Germantown, Md.
