Ideas for Honoring Your Pastor

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

Ideas for honoring your pastor from your PastorCare Team:

In about 2002 the concept for what is today called “Pastor Appreciation Month” began. As long as pastors have been pastoring, the concept of appreciating them has been in place. Over time, the practice has changed. For the most part, chickens, eggs, and fresh vegetables have been replaced with gift cards and days off.

As we approach this year’s time of expressing appreciation, with the price of eggs, that might be a good idea for this year. However, sometimes pastors are thankful for the thought and intent, but the actual value of those expressions may be lacking. Most pastors or clergy do not need another pen or plaque. As pastors who have served for many years, here are some ideas that will be great expressions of thanks for and toward your pastor or clergy.

1. Be creative! What recreational interests does he have? Find a gift that would support and equip the pastor in that area. If fishing, maybe a day trip to fish, or new gear. If sports, tickets to a game or an autograph from someone in the sport.

2. Don’t limit expressions to one month. Build a team for 12 months so that every month a different group will make a special effort to express appreciation through a variety of means, cards or personal letters of appreciation, meals for the family, invitations to join others in fellowship or special events. Don’t tie these to ‘church’ events; the pastor will be expected to attend.

3. Find projects either at church or, even more importantly, at home, that just don’t seem to ever get done or consume precious time and energy. These may be things like getting a car washed, power washing driveways or patios, fixing small things that aren’t vitally important but are always reminders of just not having time or priority to get done. It is easier to determine and do these kinds of things by asking the pastor rather than guessing!

4. Bless his family. There is no Pastor’s Spouse Appreciation Month or Pastor’s Family Appreciation Month. A minister takes great appreciation when the family is clearly appreciated, and expressions of love and care are given to them. Date nights, childcare, time away for families, notes and expressions of thanks for a spouse, and even times of encouraging and providing for children mean a great deal to a pastor.

5. Money! Very few ministers are rich! Many, if not most, live within their means and while there are those who pastor large churches, most churches in this country run less than 100 persons in attendance. Gift cards, special times of offerings that can be used to support and encourage pastors and clergy are great gifts.  However, this will mean much more if they are given with a note or card of thanks and not just handing out money! There are churches that will give their spiritual leaders money out of obligation or habit without ever really expressing “thanks!”

In this coming month, as well as year-round, it is good and right to give thanks and express appreciation to those who work, lead, and seek the good of those they serve.

“17  Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.  18  For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and “The laborer deserves his wages.” (I Timothy 5:17-18)

Your PastorCare Team!