Pastor appreciation

October has traditionally been known as "Pastor Appreciation Month." I remember when we started hanging with our current church group, we got a "Pastor Appreciation Gift" for our pastor, and he and his wife said they'd never heard of such a thing. Now our church does it every year, and this past Sunday was apparently "Pastor Appreciation Sunday." During the prayer/announcements time, the pastors wife got up and made mention of it, and thanked the "two" pastors there... Pastor Mark and Pastor Brian. It was nice.

However... I have to begrudgingly admit... I felt a little awkward. I know there are people there who know I am an ordained pastor (still). I am also aware I have never been known as a "pastor" at this church. But I have offered my services. I have put myself out there. I have stated several times that I choose to work part-time so I have availability to serve in the church. And... it seems to not be welcome.

The truth is, I feel a bit slighted. A bit unwelcome. Maybe I'm just too old. Maybe I simply haven't made myself clear. I don't know. At any rate, it felt weird.

What I was thinking in my mind the rest of the morning is... Perhaps I put too much weight on being a "pastor." Perhaps I am/was too puffed up with pride at the designation. But at the same time, I was and am ordained (still).

Then... later in the afternoon... at my grandson's birthday party... my son-in-law's mother comes in and wished me a happy "Pastor Appreciation." I almost got choked up. I'd never even been her pastor. We've never been a part of the same church. Yet she still recognized me as such. So... I was touched.

Anyway, it was a weird day. And... we need to get the usual gift card for our pastor and his wife.