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 am 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 from 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 October
Provide for and encourage time off for vacations
Take your pastor 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: game, 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
Publically 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, even if you misspell a word or two along the way (see cover photo of sign).
Now we ask you, brothers, 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 (1 Thess 5:12-13).
