wfn.org | ABCUSA: Ministers Council Releases New Resource

["Jayne, Andy" <Am.Bapt.NewsService@abc-usa.org>]

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 06/02/08) - Dr. Kate Harvey, executive director
of the Ministers Council, announced today the release of "Ways to
Appreciate Pastoral Staff". The new resource will assist congregations
in expressing appreciation for their pastoral leaders. Pastoral
relations committees and other lay leaders eager to manifest valuing of
their pastoral leadership will find strategies of appreciation in
various arenas: anniversaries and milestones, clergy family care,
collegial relationships, regional recognition, spiritual nurture and
education.

Harvey said, "The biblical text under-girding the practice of extending
appreciation to pastoral leaders is I Timothy 5:17: 'Let the elders who
rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who
labor in preaching and teaching'."

Some of the suggested strategies include annual anniversary
celebrations, provision of an occasional midweek "weekend,"
encouragement of participation in a Together in Ministry collegial
covenant group, payment of Ministers Council dues, establishment of a
sabbatical policy, and of course, prayer support.

While pastoral appreciation is welcome any day of the year, a special
day is generally honored in October. Other resources for
clergy-congregational relationships and ministries include a
minister-church covenant and agreement, materials for a pastoral
relations committee, evaluation forms and transitions. These and other
resources can be found on the Ministers Council web site:
http://www.ministerscouncil.com.

Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/