It's Pastors Sunday in the Philippines. Every Salvation Army Corps (Church), and they tell me every church, celebrates this day once a year. The basic premise is that a church celebrates and thanks their Pastors.
So, most churches, including The Salvation Army - Santa Barbara where I worshipped this morning, will have their lay leadership taking responsibility for the worship, and preaching. Then at an appropriate time the Pastors (Officers) are invited to sit in front of the church while the leaders of the ministry sections speak words of thanks and encouragement and the members of the church line up to bring gifts of appreciation to the Pastors.
I like it! (Preston Corps, look for it on the calendar for 2010.)
I have often felt that we leave saying thanks to people to the last moment - like in a farewell, or sometimes until they can't hear you anyway - like a funeral. Imagine what a difference it could make if people felt appreciated more often.
