I got this from AOL's "Christianity Online" site. I thought some of you might find it of interest.
Jack Todd
Mark October 11th, 1998 on your calendar for the celebration of the Sixth Annual Clergy
Appreciation Day. This nationally recognized observance honors all 980,000 full-time
Christian workers in the United States, and particularly the 350,000 senior pastors who do
so much for the good of society, yet often receive very little in return. Clergy
Appreciation Day seeks to offset these negative factors reavealed in a recent survey of
the Fuller Institute of Church Growth:
- 80% of pastors surveyed felt their ministry affected their family negatively
- 75% reported a serious stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry
- 50% felt unable to meet the demands of the job
- 90% felt inadequately trained to cope with job demands
- 70% had a lower self image than when they started in ministry
- 40% had a serious conflict with a parishioner once a month
- 50% had considered leaving the ministry whithin the past three months
- 70% had no one they considered to be a close friend
In addition to procuring Proclamations and Letters of Greeting from America's Governors,
Clergy Appreciation Day provides the opportunity for any church member to have their
pastor honored.
Americans love holidays . . . and the message behind them. Clergy Appreciation Day seeks
to acknowledge the contribution of America's religious leaders in the 1990's.
In 1992 http://www.clergy.org/uhwm.htm
Under His Wing Ministries, Inc. initiated the unique effort to bring recognition to
the full-time Christian workers in the United States. With humble beginnings this event
began with Proclamations being made by four of the nation's governors.
Now in every state, denominational groups, businesses and churches take the second Sunday
in October to tell our true and faithful servants of Christ, "You are a national
treasure." Proclamations are secured in each state and there is a yearly effort for
presidential recognition.
Those who shepherd us need the love, encouragement, and support of the people they serve.
Clergy Appreciation Day gives us -- as a church and as individuals -- a special
opportunity to honor our ministers with personal expressions of appreciation and
gratitude.
What can you do? "We ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you.
Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!" -- I Thes. 5:12, 13
Used with permission from: http://www.clergy.org/uhwm.htm