A business man complained about a proposal to raise the pastor’s salary. He explained that he did not feel the increase was justified. “After all,” the man quipped, “he only works two days a week.”
A businessman complained about a proposal to raise the pastor’s
salary. He explained that he did not feel the increase was justified.
“After all,” the man quipped, “he only works two days a week.”
The pastor did not rebut the businessman’s remark, but after the
meeting invited the man to come and spend the next afternoon with him.
The man agreed.
When the man arrived at about noon, the pastor explained that his
morning had been spent in prayer, a staff meeting and then a couple of
hours of study. He asked the businessman to wait while he returned a
few phone calls. Forty-five minutes later, the pastor emerged and the
man asked, “What took so long?”
The pastor waved a stack of phone messages he had received in the morning.
“Who are those from?” the businessman queried. “Church members,” the pastor replied.
“Let’s go,” the pastor said. The pair climbed into the pastor’s car.
“Where are we going?” the businessman asked. “To the hospital,” the
preacher said.
After finding a place to park, the pastor and man made their way into
the hospital. The first stop was with a church member who had been
diagnosed with cancer.
The pair entered the room. They listened to the patient and the pastor
offered a word of encouragement. As they prepared to leave, the pastor
asked the businessman to pray. The man gave the preacher a stunned
look. He managed to stumble through a prayer.
When they stepped into the hallway, the businessman said, “Please don’t
do that again, I did not know what to say.” The pastor smiled, “You did
just fine.”
Four visits and more than an hour later the pastor and the businessman
left the hospital. The man said little as the car made its way from the
parking lot. Eventually he broke the silence, “That was tough,” the man
said. “It was just emotionally draining.”
The pastor’s cell phone rang. It was the church office. The news was
bad. A church member, a young mother, had died after a lengthy illness.
The pastor and the businessman made their way to her home.
The husband of the young lady answered the door. His eyes were red from
crying. The pair stepped into the modest home. Church members and
family were already present and helping tend to the couples’ three
small children.
The pastor and the husband stepped into another room. The businessman
could hear the young man sobbing. He could make out the muffled voice
of the pastor. After about a half-hour, the pastor and husband emerged.
The two hugged. The pastor greeted everyone in the house and then he
and the businessman left.
The pair drove in silence. The pastor brought the car to a stop in
front of a very nice home. “What are we stopping here for?” asked the
businessman. “This lady has been visiting the church recently,” the
pastor replied. “She indicated that she would like a minister to call.”
The businessman waited in the car. The pastor approached the house and
a lady met him at the door. They chatted on the front porch. The
businessman watched. The lady’s expression seemed to indicate concern.
They talked for about thirty minutes. When the conversation concluded,
the business man saw the lady smile and he could make out that she said
“Thank you.”
Back in the car, the pastor indicated the lady has some real problems
at home. In fact, the problems were what prompted her to come to
church.
“I told her that I would come back this evening with a couple of other folks from the church for a more extensive visit.”
“Tonight?” The pastor nodded. “This evening is the night the
church goes out on visitation.” After a few more stops, the pastor and
the businessman arrived back at the church. It was after 5 pm. “Thanks
for coming with me,” the pastor said. “Let me ask you something,” said
the businessman. “Is this a typical day for you?”
“More or less.” The pastor continued: “Except for the days that I have
a funeral or two – or weekends when weddings are scheduled – or days
when I have several counseling appointments.”
At the next church conference, the businessman stood and proposed that the pastor’s salary be raised.
It’s Pastor Appreciation Month. Remember to take the time to honor the person and honor the call.