Anniversary Services

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?

 

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?

 

Tetimony:

Churches of like-faith?

 

I'd be concerned too, Testimony.

 

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:

 

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.

 

</font>[/QUOTE]But when NOTHING is being given to missions (the Great Commission)?? Nothing wrong with "appreciation", but this one seems over-done.

 

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.

 

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.