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Anniversary Services

T

Testimony

New Member
I have a question and I hope someone will be able to help me. Could someone please tell me where it is in the Bible where we are to give the Pastor an Appreciation Service? I'm very familiar with the scripture that says, "give honor to whom honor is due" but that could apply to anyone, not just the pastor. :confused:
Also, can the Pastor be the Chairman of the Trustee Board?
Inquiring minds would like to know and I would like to have my confusion cleared up, once and for all.
Thanks all and God Bless!
 
T

TheOliveBranch

New Member
Do you not appreciate your Pastor? Not all churches have this practice. But someone somewhere must really feel he's worthy of it.

As for the Trustee Board, is that Biblical to even have a trustee board?
 
rsr

rsr

<b> 7,000 posts club</b>
Moderator
I don't think you'll find any direct scriptural support, but I don't find it unbiblical.

3I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. Philippians 1:3-7
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As far as the trustees, I think the arrangement is not correct, unless there's some legal reason for it. My understanding is that the pastors are to tend to the spiritual needs of the flock and the deacons to the physical needs.

But I sense this question is really about more than the specifics you've mentioned ...

[ September 18, 2002, 07:05 PM: Message edited by: rsr ]
 
T

Testimony

New Member
Please do not get me wrong; I certainly do appreciate the pastor! However, what I''ve seen happening is a bit elaborate. If I may give an example: A raised platform is set up with 2 French Provencial chairs for the pastor and wife; 12-13 churches are invited over a 4-day period. Each church comes and bestows anywhere from $250.00 - $700.00. In addition, each "ministry" is required to report at least $1000.00 while NOTHING is being given to foreign and domestic missions. Are we not to help the poor? Is this the norm for all Baptist Churches?
Again, please don't get me wrong, I certainly appreciate my pastor....I'm just a bit unsure this is what we're supposed to be doing.
 
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Grammy1013

<img src =/Kate.gif>
Originally posted by Testimony:
Please do not get me wrong; I certainly do appreciate the pastor! However, what I''ve seen happening is a bit elaborate. If I may give an example: A raised platform is set up with 2 French Provencial chairs for the pastor and wife; 12-13 churches are invited over a 4-day period. Each church comes and bestows anywhere from $250.00 - $700.00. In addition, each "ministry" is required to report at least $1000.00 while NOTHING is being given to foreign and domestic missions. Are we not to help the poor? Is this the norm for all Baptist Churches?
Again, please don't get me wrong, I certainly appreciate my pastor....I'm just a bit unsure this is what we're supposed to be doing.
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It sure wasn't the "norm" in any Baptist church that I ever attended.

I don't have scripture to back it up, but I would think if a church can't meet it's obligation to support spreading the gospel (missions), it shouldn't be showing THAT kind of 'appreciation' to the pastor, regardless of what he's done.

You say it's "REQUIRED" of each ministry to report $1,000 (while nothing is being given to missions). What exactly do you mean by "report"? Do you mean "give" to the pastor?
 
rsr

rsr

<b> 7,000 posts club</b>
Moderator
Still not sure what's going on there, but I've personally not seen something like it. We've had anniversary events for staff -- not just the pastor -- and have commissioned anthems for the music director and pianist, but I don't recall a quota for donations from everyone.

I still can't pass judgement on the situation. You say other churches attend? Does the congregation attend similar services for other preachers?

Who enforces the donation requirements?

[ September 18, 2002, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: rsr ]
 
T

Testimony

New Member
When I say report, I mean give. You see, as the different ministries have their "Annual Day", (i.e., Usher's Annual Day), the money that is raised is set aside in preparation for Pastor & Wife's Appreciation. NONE of this money earmarked to any type of missions to help spread the good news of Jesus.

In answer to 1000 Posts - what happens is when other ministers ( of same like Baptist faith)have their "Appreciation Services", our church is invited and we take an average of $250-$600 back to them. And as to who enforces the donation requirements - as stated earlier, the pastor is the chairman of the Trustee Board.

My concern is that we're operating out of tradition and ignorance rather than getting the word out to a dying world that Jesus is alive and coming back soon! My other concern is that the pastor has gotten caught up in the "money thing" and has forgotten about souls and his "sheep".
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Grammy1013

<img src =/Kate.gif>
Originally posted by Testimony:

My concern is that we're operating out of tradition and ignorance rather than getting the word out to a dying world that Jesus is alive and coming back soon! My other concern is that the pastor has gotten caught up in the "money thing" and has forgotten about souls and his "sheep".
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I'd be concerned too, Testimony.
 
C

Clint Kritzer

Active Member
Site Supporter
In my own church, we have three long time members who serve as trustees. No, it's not Biblical office or title, but modern times neccessitate it. These men act for the church if legal matters are brought forth such as property encroachment, if there was ever a lawsuit, insurance matters, etc.

As for a "pastor appeciation day," I do not see aproblem with this either. Men of God need our support. A good minister is very worthy of praise, honor and support. If you MUST have some type of Biblical backing for the practice, perhaps this will work:

Exodus 17
12 But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
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E

Ernie Brazee

<img src ="/ernie.JPG">
I have a question and I hope someone will be able to help me. Could someone please tell me where it is in the Bible where we are to give the Pastor an Appreciation Service? I'm very familiar with the scripture that says, "give honor to whom honor is due" but that could apply to anyone, not just the pastor.
Also, can the Pastor be the Chairman of the Trustee Board?

We have deacons, not trustees. Deacons are scriptural, trustees are not. This is working well in our church. We have no presidnt of the deacon board, the pastor is in charge, also working just fine.

We take care of our pastor very well, but he would not appreciate a four day appreciation service.

This sounds like something that would take place in LA LA land. Would suggest you find another church, but in LA LA land that is a problem.
 
C

Clint Kritzer

Active Member
Site Supporter
1 Timothy 5
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
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Grammy1013

<img src =/Kate.gif>
Originally posted by Clint Kritzer:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr /> 1 Timothy 5
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
18 For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
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</font>[/QUOTE]But when NOTHING is being given to missions (the Great Commission)?? Nothing wrong with "appreciation", but this one seems over-done.
 
C

Clint Kritzer

Active Member
Site Supporter
Yes, the service described by testimony seems a bit overdone to me, but I was responding to the query about "where in the Scriptures..."

My own experience with a "pastor appreciation day" is at the conclusion of the worship service anyone who wishes to speak is allowed time to publicly acknowledge their thanks to the pastor.

As for the distribution of money, be it to missions or any other activity, that should be decided by the church as a whole, not a committee or a board.
 
T

Testimony

New Member
I am very familiar with the scripture and I think one of the key phrases is "rule well". The pastor has taken on the position of "dictator". Without having business meetings (meeting with the body of the church) he FIRED the chairman of the deacon board and replaced him with a young man who have not yet been ordained a deacon. In addition, the pastor says it is not HIS responsibility to visit members in the hospital or sick - it's up to everyone. Now -- I agree that we should visit the sick and shut-in but I believe there is a scripture that says that the sick should call for the ELDERS of the church.
By the way, the chairman of the deacon board was FIRED because he was going to inform the congregation (body) of some financial issues the pastor did not want them to know. He now seems to have a great deal of HATE in his heart for the deacon and will not even accept a check if the former chairman signs it.
Pastor also has a problem with older people and basically feels they are no longer "useful".
Believe me when I say this is grieving and hurting a lot of people.
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I'm praying for our pastor (and ask all of you too) for he is a young man and like all of us has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
 
Deacon

Deacon

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Whoa, T.M.O! (to much information!) And then again perhaps not enough, don't tell me more! There is a bitter tone in your last post that frightens me, brother.
I think the question you originally asked was answered correctly, a pastor is worthy of honor, and one that rules well deserves a double honor.

I am not one who believes church members should have undying loyalty to a Pastor or elders but honor and respect is due. He is the shepherd of the congregation. I personally would have no problem giving my Pastor a gift of thousands of dollars in Appreciations gifts, knowing that he would probably send it to others in need. Much of the “double honor” we talk about would go right back into a worthy pastors ministry. I’ve been there, seen that.

Many of the decisions regarding ministry decisions are not discussed in open congregational sessions due to confidentiality issues.
If you feel that there is a problem you need to go to him, not us. If many in the church are having difficulty and cannot support him either follow the constitutional pattern your church gives for removing a pastor or leave the church. To spread dissent will split the church and dishonor Christ.
 
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