October is Pastor Appreciation Month, which is a great opportunity for church members to bless their pastors.
Since it can be awkward for pastors to initiate this for obvious reasons, I’m hoping that, through social media, this post will reach the eyes of key lay-leaders and lead pastors who will take up the mantle of showing double-honor to their ministry staff.
Here are 27 simple ways you can honor your pastor(s) in October, or anytime of the year.
- Write a note with encouraging feedback about his sermon.
- Be prepared to resuscitate him after #1.
- Set out a gift basket in the church lobby for members to leave notes and gifts.
- Mow the pastor’s lawn when his family is on vacation or ministry leave.
- Give a gift card to a favorite restaurant.
- Provide creative childcare for a date night.
- Ask your pastor how you can specifically pray for his family.
- Deliver a homemade dessert/meal to his home or office.
- Arrange and purchase a couple’s retreat somewhere fun.
- Give a brief word of affirmation and prayer on a Sunday morning.
- Include the pastor’s family’s photo in an October bulletin.
- Provide for and encourage time off for vacations.
- Take your pastor out for a meal and talk about his life, not ministry.
- Loan out your favorite vacation spot (cabin, camper, time-share).
- Support your pastor as he ministers outside your church.
- Encourage at least one day of Sabbath rest each week.
- Care for your pastor’s health by sponsoring a health club membership.
- Take your pastor somewhere fun: sporting event, concert, hunting, etc.
- Specifically share how God has used him to challenge, enrich, and encourage your walk with Jesus.
- Provide a generous salary, insurance, and retirement.
- Allow your pastor’s wife to “be herself” and find her own ministry.
- Financially support your pastor and spouse as they attend marriage-strengthening events.
- Publicly support your pastor’s involvement in missions.
- Remember birthdays with a personal card or on social media.
- Initiate a sabbatical for every 5-7 years of ministry at your church.
- Send a gift card to your pastor’s kids.
- Give unused sports or concert tickets to your pastor’s family.
I hope these ideas will help to prime the pastor appreciation pump in your church. Know that your pastor will be genuinely grateful for anything you do.
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
I’d love to hear some other ideas you’ve heard of or experienced.
