It’s that time of the year, again, for the United Methodists of North Georgia. In a couple of weeks the clergy along with an equal number of laity will gather in the Athens Convention Center. There will be debated the issues before the church. And there, on the last day of the conference, the bishop will read out the pastoral appointments for the next year.

It’s always an interesting time when these changes occur. For the clergy who move from one church to another there are a variety of emotions. Some will be looking forward with glee to the new congregation. Some will be chuckling under their breath at the salary increase their spouse turned backflips over. Some will move with fear and trepidation coupled with hope this is a new beginning.

I know we United Methodist do it a bit differently. We take a vow to “go where the bishop sends us.” With you other folks, you congregational types, the dynamics, I know, are a bit different. {And please don’t call me to explain your procedure. After forty years as a United Methodist pastor I’m still working on comprehending our system in an effort to understand why I was sent to some of those churches.}

But I digress. The fact that hundreds of my brothers and sisters of the cloth are going to be heading for new pastorates in a few weeks, compels me to write this. I do have some experience in being a pastor. Here’s some advice on how to deal with the new pastor, or even the current one.

Let me begin with a question. Do you know your pastor’s birthday? Do you know your pastor’s anniversary date? If the answer is “no”, then here’s a second question: Why don’t you? Ever get a birthday card expressing appreciation for you from an unexpected person? Remember how appreciated that made you feel? Remember how good you felt? Why don’t you do the same thing for your pastor. Figure a dollar or two for the card and fifty cents for the stamp (It will probably be fifty by the time you follow this advice.) It’s a cheap price to make your pastor feel valued. And if you’re really cheap just call or email.

Ever take your pastor out to dinner? I don’t mean dinner-on-the-grounds. I’m speaking of a dinner in an air conditioned restaurant with a server that comes to the table and says, “Hi, I’m Susan, and I’ll be your server today.” And when that server brings that food to the table and you and your pastor are enjoying the feast, lean across the table and say, “You know, tell me a little more about yourself. I’m really interested in knowing.”

Here’s another suggestion to get the best our of your new pastor or the present one. When you’re sitting in church listening to the sermon, pull out a pen and take a piece of paper to write on. It could be the back of an offering envelope. Listen as the pastor speaks. Write down some point he makes. When the service is over and you’re about to shake the pastor’s hand at the door, take a quick peek at that paper. Then quote back to your pastor something that was said.

Finally, your appreciation is really due this pastor. Don’t ever forget when you’re dismayed this is the pastor you got, your pastor is probably dismayed at you.