Retired Ministers and Widows Appreciation Set for October 28
Sunday, October 28, 2018 is Retired Ministers and Widows Appreciation Day in the Church of God. It is part of a long-standing tradition to honor those heroes of the faith who have contributed and sacrificed over a lifetime of ministry.
“If you could travel back 40 or 50 years, you would see these men and women in the height of their ministerial activity,” stated Church of God General Overseer Tim Hill. “They were ministering as missionaries, pastors, and evangelists, wholeheartedly dedicating their efforts to the work of the Lord. In those days, money was rarely available for contributing to a retirement fund, and because income was limited, their Social Security check is now small.”
“The Church of God loves and honors our pioneer ministers and widows,” Hill continued. He explained the practice of setting aside funds to help them, supported by an offering given by each local church on Retired Ministers and Widows Appreciation Day, this year designated as October 28.
“Twenty-five percent of the offering given on that day goes for emergency assistance, and seventy-five percent furnishes a financial Christmas gift for our retired ministers and widows.”
Hebrews 13:7 (NLT) states, “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives and follow the example of their faith.”
“They served the Lord with commitment—untiringly, faithfully, not preoccupied with the future,” Hill said. “Now, as they are writing the last chapters of their lives, they deserve to experience our appreciation and compassion. Remember them. Think of all the good that has come from their lives. I hope every congregation in the Church of God will give generously.”
Next week General Overseer Hill will be recording and distributing a video that can be shown in the local church concerning Retired Ministers and Widows Sunday.
