The Apostle Paul’s Thanksgiving List

In the Fall of 1621, about 150 English settlers and Wampanoag natives in Plymouth, Massachusetts celebrated what we call Thanksgiving. The English settlers were thankful for surviving the winter with the help of God and the Wampanoag people. 

Thanksgiving is a traditional American holiday, and the purpose is to give thanks and to be thankful. But long before our American tradition of Thanksgiving, the Apostle Paul expressed his thanksgiving in Scripture. I believe it is a good model for us to follow.

In Paul’s list, I’ve found at least 13 different things for which he was thankful. All the Scripture references are from the Christian Standard Bible. Enjoy.

The Apostle Paul expressed thanksgiving for:

1. The goodness and mercy of God.

“12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-14, CSB)

2. Appointment and enablement in ministry. 

“12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry—13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:12-14, CSB)

3. The reception and effectual working of the Word of God in others.

“This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the word of God, which also works effectively in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13, CSB)

4. Deliverance through Christ from indwelling sin.

“22 For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, 23 but I see a different law in the parts of my body,, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am serving the law of God, but with my flesh, the law of sin. 

1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 7:23-8:1, CSB)

5. The gift of the Gospel of Christ.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15, CSB)

6. The triumph of the Gospel.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in Christ’s triumphal procession and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of him in every place.” (2 Corinthians 2:14, CSB)

7. The faith of others.

“3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints.” (Colossians 1:3-4, CSB)

8. The faith shown by others.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.” (Romans 1:8, CSB)

9. The faith, love, and patience shown for one other.

“We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3, CSB)

10. The supply of our physical needs.

“Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, and he gives thanks to God.” (Romans 14:6b, CSB). 

“ 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4-5, CSB)

11. The victory over death and the grave.

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

(1 Corinthians 15:57, CSB)

12. All people.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,” (1 Timothy 2:1, CSB)

13. God’s working in all things.

“Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

(1 Thessalonians 5:18, CSB)

The Impact of Your Church on Your Ministry Kids

A Guest Blog by Karen Kinnaird

Blessing or curse? Joy or pain? Good memories or bad? Spiritual soldier or spiritual casualty? If we were to ask 100 adults about their childhoods as ministry kids we’d likely get 100 different answers. One day, the ministers’ kids in your church will be adults. What will they say when they reflect on their time at your church? How is your church impacting your ministry kids?

Who Are They?

• They are kids born to parents who serve in ministry but who are not necessarily called to the ministry.

• Their identity is children created in the image of God and loved by God, not “preachers kids”.

• They live in a “glass house.”

• They are at the church a lot. Few see the inside of the local church as a pastor’s kid.

• Their lives blur family, father’s vocation, and church life.

• Their father is especially vulnerable to exhaustion, temptation, frustration, and loneliness.

• They observe, hear and see more than you would imagine.

• They are keenly aware of conflict and disunity.

• They may live with unreal expectations which can lead to frustration and rebellion.

• They are unknowingly in a spiritual battle in which they can be the prime target by which to bring down their parents and the church they serve. They don’t know they’re even in a battle, much less how to fight it. Many become casualties of the battles.

What could they be thinking?

“Being a pastor’s kid is one of the greatest gifts that God has given me.”

“I get to learn how to help people, make hospital visits, and talk about my faith.”

“Sundays are a workday for my family. Sundays are a long day for me. Sometimes we get there early and get home late. I am tired on Monday mornings.”

“I avoid people as much as possible because I’m not one that likes attention.”

“I get to hang out at my dad’s work - a lot!”

“I need to be perfect but I’m not, so I’ll just pretend to be. I know I can’t measure up. I don’t want to embarrass my family or church. I guess I am a hypocrite.”

“I get to spend time with missionaries and church leaders.”

“People expect more from me than they do from my friends.”

“My Sunday School teachers assume I already know what they’re teaching and that I have all the right answers.”

“Is it just me or is everyone watching me?”

“My mom is hurting. She’s trying to cover it up but I see the pain on her face.”

“Just when I get settled into a new home and school, we have to move again.”

“Do I really know Jesus as my Savior, or do I just know about Him?”

“If I died tonight, would I go to heaven? My dad is the pastor. Shouldn’t I have this figured out?”

How Can We Love and Inspire Them?

• Let them just be kids. Not “pastors kids”.

• Try to understand their world.

• Allow them to be unique. Let them be imperfect.

• Greet them by name and with a smile expecting nothing in return.

• Praise them. Respect them. Respect their privacy.

• Be patient with them and allow God to work in their lives to birth and mature their own authentic faith journey no matter how long it takes.

• Forgive them.

How Can We Practically Support Them?

• Pray for their salvation. Pray that they would be spared from doubt and have an unwavering confidence in Christ.

• Pray for them by name both individually and corporately that they’ll be protected from the schemes of the enemy.

• Treat them like the other kids.

• Give a sincere compliment about them to their parents.

• Write them a kind note.

• Take legitimate concerns directly and prayerfully to the parents.

• Take interest in a pastor’s child with a specific interest or skill similar to yours. Consider mentoring them.

• Limit church criticisms and complaints to private conversations.

• Guard them from negative inner workings of the church. Anger and conflict can be perceived as hypocrisy.

• Avoid comments and jokes about rebellious preachers’ kids. Jokes to some adults aren’t necessarily perceived as jokes to kids, especially when it’s about them.

How you treat your minister and wife will influence their children.

How many pastor’s kids grow up and don’t want anything to do with the church because they’ve seen the way their father has been treated? What do your ministry kids overhear you say about your church, about their parents, about others? What do your ministry kids hear and witness in business meetings? You may be watching and listening to them when in reality they’re watching and listening to you. Children who witness their parents being poorly treated by the Christian people their parents serve can profoundly impact their mental, emotional and spiritual lives well into adulthood.

This is one of the reasons I believe so strongly about the importance of October’s Pastor Appreciation Month. Your ministry kids NEED to know you appreciate the selfless work of their father. In turn, this will make them feel valued. They need to see that people really do appreciate their family’s service, and that it’s worth it. There are many blogs with suggestions for ways to appreciate your pastor. Some Pastor Appreciation Month gift ideas that include the family include an extra day or week off off to spend with the family or a giftcard to a family restaurant, movie theater, sporting event or family entertainment venue. A good friend of mine reflected on her time as a pastor’s daughter, “For me, the greatest gift you can give a pastor's kid is to Iove their parents well. It shows them their sacrifice means something. I am eternally grateful for those few who loved them well and set godly examples for me.”

What’s the Goal?

In How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife, Christine Hoover states, “The goal in raising our children is to cultivate a lifelong love of God, His Word and His church.” You have an influence on that outcome. Let’s use that influence wisely.

Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

Karen brings the vast experience of having served as a ministry wife for nearly 38 years. Her husband has served as a church planter, senior pastor, state denominational leader, agency specialist at NAMB, and Associational Missionary Strategist. Karen currently serves as the Executive Assistant for Forgiving Forward, a ministry dedicated to helping people experience the freedom of the Gospel through the power of forgiveness. Karen and Jimmy, also known as Gigi and Poppy, have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

Ministry Wives - Unsung Heroes of the Church

Guest Blog by Karen Kinnaird

It’s been nearly 38 years. God has taken my husband Jimmy and me on a journey through three pastorates and several aspects of denominational work. Like many, we have had our share of highs and lows. One thing I know, it’s worth it. Over the years, I have gained perspectives of ministry from several angles, and it is apparent – the need for ministers to be affirmed, encouraged, and appreciated is great. As a matter of fact, it has become critical. According to Barna's post-covid research, 38 percent of pastors have considered quitting. Issues of loneliness, lack of true friendships, stress, and burnout are on the rise. This isn’t just a pastor’s problem, it’s a church problem. But what about their wives?

Who Is She?

• She is a servant, often behind the scenes in unseen ways; a confidant to all she interacts with, yet often with no one to share with herself.

• A fierce protector of her family’s spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health.

• A cheerleader, confidant, and pastor to her pastor-husband.

• A warrior in the midst of simultaneous, unseen spiritual battles against spiritual forces of evil.

• A navigator of social scenarios and delicate ministry situations.

• An influencer in church culture and for Christ in the community.

• She is a steward of the Gospel.

What’s on Her Mind?

“I consider it an honor to be called to this unique, God-given role.”

“How do I overcome feelings of inadequacy when I’ve had no formal ministry training?”

“I am grateful for the platform to live out my faith.”

“How do I meet the high standards and expectations I sense from others?”

“I have so many opportunities, but in what capacity should I be serving?”

“How do I balance the emotional highs and lows of ministry?”

“How do I balance family, ministry, and employment?”

“It’s a privilege to be married to my pastor-husband.”

“I see the sacrifice my husband makes to serve God’s people.”

“How do I handle the criticism of the one I love most in this world?”

“How do I keep relationships right amidst conflict that I’m not directly involved in?”

“When do I say ‘yes’ and when do I say ‘no’?”

“I’m grateful to be able to raise children in a culture of ministry.”

“How can I ensure my children grow up to love God and the church while living in the “glass house”?”

“How do I deal with the pain of people who have left the church?”

How Can We Love and Inspire Her?

• Make an intentional effort to show her love and value her.

• Give her grace as she matures in her faith.

• Give her the freedom to be herself and flourish in the one-of-a-kind way God designed her.

• Respect her God-given limits.

• Advocate for her family’s healthy rhythms of ministry, family, rest, weekly Sabbath and vacation.

• Allow her to cultivate friendships inside and outside of the church.

• Have her back when there is controversy.

• Allow her the freedom to operate in the Body of Christ as God leads her according to her gifts, passion, and personality.

How Can We Practically Support Her?

• Tell her you love her and that you are glad God called her family to your church.

• Pray specific prayers for her, then text, email, write a note, or verbally tell her so.

• Make a homemade meal or order dinner from a favorite restaurant and have it delivered. Be sensitive to dietary preferences. A small group might provide dinner for a week.

• Provide a professional house cleaner for the holidays, for a month, or for a special occasion.

• Help a young minister’s wife get her children ready for church on a Sunday morning.

• Meet a young minister’s wife at her car on Sunday mornings and help her get her children to their classrooms.

• Offer to provide childcare for some personal time or a date night.

• Give a gift of a favorite item or gift card to a favorite store, nail salon, or restaurant.

The best thing to do is to consider your minister’s wife and ask, “What can I do for her that will meet a need and show her that she’s loved?”

The God-called spouse has a unique calling that carries with it significant meaning and eternal impact. It’s an honor, a high calling and a privilege. Wives influence the souls of their husbands, and a healthy minister’s wife will strengthen her husband. This, in turn, benefits the church. A church will do well in being mindful and intentional toward the well-being of her ministers and wives.

“A worthy wife is a crown for her husband.” Proverbs 12:4

“Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

How Can You Love and Support Your Ministry Wives?

Karen brings the vast experience of having served as a ministry wife for nearly 38 years. Her husband has served as a church planter, senior pastor, state denominational leader, agency specialist at NAMB, and Associational Missionary Strategist. Karen currently serves as the Executive Assistant for Forgiving Forward, a ministry dedicated to helping people experience the freedom of the Gospel through the power of forgiveness. Karen and Jimmy, also known as Gigi and Poppy, have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

The content of this blog first appeared in Touching Hearts Ministry.