Today we have a guest blogger! Margaret Feinberg, author of The Sacred Echo and The Organic God, will be a speaker at NPC 2009. We welcome Margaret's blog post and encourage you to check her blog out as well!
It's no secret that Pastor Appreciation Month is in October. That's the month when churches show appreciation for their leaders through cards, gift certificates, words of encouragement, gifts, and other kindnesses.
But over the last few weeks my heart has been weighed down by some of the struggles friends in ministry are facing:
-One leader who was riding her bike was randomly hit by a car. She's currently in a coma and in critical condition.
-Another leader's wife tried to commit suicide. She will be discharged soon, but the road to healing will be a long one.
-Some friends in ministry were robbed--twice in two weeks--and had tens of thousands of dollars of equipment stolen.
-Another leader is just stepping into leadership--making decisions, raising up other leaders, and learning to handle his role in ministry. He's facing all the insecurities and fears that naturally arise when you try something new.
-Another leader is waiting on God for a miracle--needing to raise $300,000 in less than 10 days for a building this struggling church that serves the homeless and poor has been praying for....for years. He's put himself out there, but will God come through?
So please don't wait until October to say thank you. Odds are that those you serve with in ministry--and their wives--are living on call 24/7, too. When someone is in crisis, they're there. But it doesn't come without a cost. Yes, they're called. Yes, they've chosen this way of service as a lifestyle. But that doesn't mean they don't need your kindness, encouragement, love, support, and a night out without the kids throughout the year. So look for opportunities bless and encourage those who server alongside of you! 
Margaret Feinberg (www.margaretfeinberg.com) is author of The Sacred Echo and The Organic God. She can be reached at margaret@margaretfeinberg.com.
