The Vine News

EDITOR'S NOTE: National Clergy Appreciation Day is the second Sunday in October (Oct. 9), although some churches pick other dates in which to celebrate it.

INDIANAPOLIS (BP) -- They chatted, teary-eyed, about the enormous encouragement of Minister Appreciation Day each October. The pastor and his wife said, "They really go all-out!" Over the years, their church's thoughtfully prepared gifts had included a gift card to a fancy restaurant, a personalized gift basket, a two-night stay at a state park, and golf at a nice course. Last year, they were blown away when the church surprised him with his dream recliner.

It doesn't take a lot of effort to say "thank you." Will your church put thought and action into acknowledging the pastor and ministry staff God has given you? Need fresh ideas? Try one of these:

-- Text "bombing." If your pastor has unlimited text messaging on his phone, ask all church members and attenders to text an appreciation message to the pastor on a specific day. Boom! He's encouraged.

-- Bound book of personal quotes. Use a form to ask every church member and attender to write a one-sentence quotation about the pastor. Combine them into a book and have it bound at the local print shop. Or ask avid scrapbookers in the church to create a beautiful book. Make a separate, unique book for each ministry staff member.

-- Tie wardrobe. If your pastor wears a tie, ask groups in the church to purchase a nice tie and have everyone in that group sign the back with fabric pens. Choirs, deacons, committees, organizations and all ages of Sunday School classes can participate.

-- "My Pastor" Video. Interview children to ask what they like best about the pastor, then create a short video. End it with a funny rap about the pastor by middle school youth.

-- Everybody brings gifts. Carefully select two items your pastor really likes, i.e. golf ball, popcorn, fishing lure, sunflower seeds. Ask every church member to bring one of the items on Sunday, then have a processional where everyone brings their small encouragement gift to put in a huge basket. Provide extras for guests and members who forget.

-- Facebook flood. If your pastor uses Facebook, distribute an announcement to church members asking them to post a Facebook message of appreciation on his page. For example, snap his photo and post, "this is what a great pastor looks like!"

-- "Love our Pastor" T-shirt. A children's class can write their name with fabric ink on a T-shirt, then invite the pastor to their classroom for the presentation.

-- Lawn signs. Attach election-style signs to wood stakes in the church lawn proclaiming "We love Pastor Monty" during Pastor Appreciation Week. On Sunday, youth can use them to picket as people arrive.

That pastor with his dream recliner serves with just a little extra zeal, knowing his congregation appreciates his ministry. Will your church "honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work" (1 Thessalonians 5:12)?

Gospel music icon Bishop Walter Hawkins passed away at his home in Ripon, CA on Sunday after suffering with pancreatic cancer. He was 61.
According to older brother Edwin, Walter fought a brave battle with the disease.

“Today, I lost my brother, my pastor, and my best friend … Bishop Hawkins suffered bravely but now he will suffer no more and will be greatly missed,” he said.

Hawkins was a contemporary gospel forerunner who rose to prominence as a member of the Edwin Hawkins Singers in the early seventies.

He made a name for himself writing, singing and producing songs some of the most recognizable gospel songs ever recorded.

His "Love Alive" album series, consisting of songs recorded from the 70's to the 90's, yielded a catalog of hits that will never get old including "Marvelous," "Going Up Yonder", "Changed," "Be Grateful," and "Thank You."

Artists from various genres -- from the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin and American Idol Champ Ruben Studdard to Vicki Winans -- have remade his songs, bringing their timeless lyrics to a new generation.  The influence the Grammy Award winning Hawkins  has had on gospel music history is worthy of volumes.

His sleek tenor voice possessed authority and a classical tonal quality second to none as demonstrated on the duet he shared as a featured artist with Donald Lawrence on the popular 2002 Tri-Cities Singers recording of  "Seasons" from the "Go Get Your Life Back" CD.

The Christian Music Hall of Fame inductee was also the former husband of gospel legend Tramaine Hawkins, with whom he fathered two children Walter "Jamie" Hawkins and Trystan Hawkins.

As the founder and pastor of Love Center Ministries in Oakland, CA, Hawkins, who was reared in the Church of God in Christ denomination, also was enamored with ministry.

"Early on I thought my ministry and my music were apart from each other. But now I see they work hand-in-hand," he once said according to a press release. "I can go a lot of places with my music that I can’t go as a pastor and vice versa. The purpose of both is getting the message out to people. I’ve had some material blessings and it’s okay to have them, but to be blessed with peace of mind and joy in your life, that’s when you will be truly fulfilled."  

He was ordained a Bishop in 1992.

In January Bishop Hawkins was feted with a performance tribute at the 25th Annual Stellar Awards for a body of work that spans nearly 4 decades, earning him a place among gospel giants. He was saluted again in May at his sixty-first birthday celebration.

After surgery for pancreatic cancer in late 2008, the Hawkins Family (Walter, Edwin, Tramaine, and sister, Lynette) staged a successful, multi-city Hawkins Family reunion concert tour. Hawkins had been planning a new “Love Alive” CD concert recording this Fall.

He is survived by his two children, Walter “Jamie” and Trystan; siblings Carol, Feddie, Edwin, Daniel, and Lynette; daughter-in-law, Myiia; two grandchildren Jamie-Daniel and Jahve; a host of nieces and nephews; the Love Center Church family and Choir.

Mona Austin is a nationally syndicated news and gospel entertainment reporter. Read her gospel industry updates by visiting www.lagospel-scene.com. E-mail your feedback to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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