October is Pastor Appreciation Month at Wesley.
Coinciding with Wesley celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, we’d like to highlight Wesley’s history and close relationship with its pastors.
Ever since Wesley’s founding, pastors have played an important role in the organization. We’re proud to say that, to this day, pastors are still a meaningful part of our communities.
As a not-for-profit, Wesley’s mission is driven by its board of directors, many of whom are pastors, ministers or retired parishioners. Wesley sees it as a calling and moral obligation to provide safe, comfortable and enriching communities where older adults can continue to live independent lifestyles.
The basic role of a pastor is to interpret biblical scripture for the congregation. Pastors provide spiritual leadership and guidance and thus provide a source of connection in their communities.
Chaplain Michael Byrd, one of Wesley’s longest serving chaplains, believes that the pastors who reside in Wesley communities help provide a network of social stability.
“There was a woman touring Wesley who, naturally, felt reluctant about moving out of her house to live here. But as she got off the elevator she walked past a resident she knew and she suddenly felt more comfortable with the idea. She told me the resident she walked past had been her pastor for many years, and it made her feel at ease knowing that he was living here,” he recalled.
“Pastors touch a lot of lives in local communities and are a great source of recognition and emotional security for faith-based individuals,” said Chaplain Michael.
Wesley’s chaplains offer support for residents and family during important clinical decisions, crisis moments or the death of a loved one.
Wesley thanks its pastors for their trust and involvement in the organization and the richness they bring to Wesley campuses.