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The little girl had been seen before, but my mind had not yet retained her name.

"Hey you're the one who does all the talking"

"Guilty as charged."

"Question for you," she said without missing a beat. "What's with all the love?"

What a great question.

She came to the right place to ask.

Normally the one who does all the talking would expound on John 3:16 or I Cor. 13 or 1 John 4:10.

This question was not so spiritually driven but simply an observation of the surrounding activities. It was October and the congregation was celebrating Pastor Appreciation Day/Month.

I was not prepared for the response to my answer.

"But why?"

An answer like "Because someone in a national ecclesiastical office down south put it on the calendar," would not work.

I told the young lady "They just love to take one day a year to say thanks."

She gave me a lame look and was on to the next interest.

Why do people show appreciation to ministers?

I know the history of the month and day, but the why is a different question.

It possibly goes back to a time when ministers where circuit riding and received payment through the gift of a chicken, garden produce, fish or other food items.

I have never turned away from a moose roast, smoked salmon or blueberries.

Today's appreciation is most likely to come in the form of a nice deed, a card, dinner or financial gift.

The reason behind it is not so much driven by a lack, but rather true appreciation.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution (8/10/07, J. Raines) reported that ministers have the highest rate of job satisfaction. They are listed just above physical therapist, and many other professionals like doctors and teachers.

They are also the lowest paid.

It is easy to deduct that remuneration is not necessarily the reason why ministers find satisfaction in their field of vocation. My collegues will surely make me buy lunch for this one.

First and foremost, ministers will tell you "it is about the call of God and not the vocation of man."

The job satisfaction comes from fulfilling a higher calling. Having said that, we as ministers do like to be appreciated. Even though the job comes from a call sent forth by God, we are still human and every human loves to be appreciated once in awhile.

By appreciating our ministers we become beneficiaries of people who love fulfilling their calling.

Another value we as Peninsula-dwellers receive when we appreciate our pastors is that we get good tenure. The Kenai is loaded with ministers who have sowed in the land for more than 20 years.

Recently I surveyed the central peninsula ministers on the benefits of longevity. Some of the responses included, relationships, long-term goals reached, learn to help resolve conflicts, good maturity, stability and celebrating milestones.

Another benefit is avoiding the cost of turnover. In the "The Carrot Principle" (Gostick & Elton) the authors state that turnover cost corporate America 5 trillion dollars annually.

Imagine the money the church could save by fostering longevity. Imagine kingdom work, mission work, sowing and reaping that could be done with money saved by avoiding turnover.

The final word that might answer the "why-appreciate" comes from Phil. 4:17, "Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account."

James D. Duncan is the senior pastor at Peninsula Christian Center at 161 Farnsworth Ave. in Soldotna, 262-7416.