Have you appreciated your pastor?

Did you know that October is Clergy Appreciation Month? Well, dear readers, it is!

I realize that there are innumerable days, weeks, and months set aside for all sorts of frivolous reasons. Among worthy recognitions like Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness month, one website also listed times of recognition such as Eat Country Ham Month, Apple Jack Month, Customer Service Week, Moldy Cheese Day, and Bald and Free Day, all in October. Do I really like the fact that another special title for the month was added just for pastors?

Yes, I do.

Let’s have a bit of disclosure first. It’s true that my husband is a pastor; and no, there are no ulterior motives for this post. Our church family has done something kind for him every October without my prodding, hinting, or insisting. They do it because they want to, and we both are encouraged through it. I wanted to write this post for the many congregations that are unaware of Clergy Appreciation Month with the hopes that my readers will initiate something special for their pastors.

I don’t know if it is possible to really understand all that a pastor gives to his congregation unless you work very closely with him. The prayers, the sermon preparation, the visits, the phone calls, the counseling, the burden for his congregation, the care of the physical meeting place, and the general leadership responsibilities placed on him can be draining. The Lord is faithful to always give strength, but often that strength can be supplied through words and works of appreciation from the people he serves. Though hopefully he receives that strength and encouragement scattered throughout the year, having some time set aside to focus on thanking him may be just what your pastor needs. Even Moses needed help holding up his hands (Exodus 17:12).

Here are some ideas to help you get started in recognizing your pastor and his service to your church. Some take money, and some don’t. Some also honor or include his family, as they also sacrifice and labor with him in his service to the church. Hopefully one or two will seem like something that would be fitting for your pastor, and if you have an idea to add, I certainly hope you will!

Ways to appreciate your pastor

• Words of encouragement: Who doesn’t like to hear sincere and honest compliments? Write your pastor a letter, pick out a fitting card, record a video with messages of thanks from church members, or make a special phone call to him to tell him that you are thankful for his service. And be specific. Anyone can say “thanks for all you do,” but it takes much more thought to tell him how something specific he said or did blessed you. Including the pastor’s wife and family in your words of appreciation is a great idea, as well. This costs next to nothing, but may mean more than a church could imagine to a minister.

Image courtesy of digitalert/freedigitalphotos.net

• A church scrapbook: Find a couple of crafty congregants to put together a photo album or scrapbook with pictures of member families and encouraging notes from them. My husband has been on the giving and receiving end of these, and they really are special ways to appreciate someone. Though this costs a fraction more than the above option and certainly takes more time, it can be a very touching and economical gift. It’s also very easy to recognize his family in the same scrapbook.
  • A day of service: Keeping up with jobs at home can take a back seat while a pastor is busy in the service of the Lord, and this is especially so for those ministers who work other full-time jobs. Consider surprising your pastor at his house sometime to rake leaves, pick up sticks, plow the driveway, weed the landscaping, paint the living room, or do other needed jobs that he hasn’t been able to get to.

  Image courtesy of Simon Howden/freedigitalphotos.net

  • Hold a fellowship in his honor: Churches are notorious for their delicious fellowship meals, and holding one in honor of your pastor would be a great way to bring the church together in a low-cost way to show their gratitude. Have a special cake or decorations if you want to make it more special, or combine it with some of the other ideas mentioned here. Set up a video camera for members to record messages, have a microphone available for anyone willing to speak a word of thanks, or have a special notebook there for the people to write personal messages to the pastor and his family.
  • Give them a date night: Some pastors may find it hard to get away together with their spouse, so arranging a day or evening out with their love may be just what the pastoral family needs. Provide the babysitting and a gift card to a favorite restaurant or two. Set up activities that fit their interests and personalities, or simply provide them with the funds to do something that their budget normally wouldn’t allow.
  • Help them get away: Our church blessed my husband and I with a night away to our favorite bed and breakfast last year, and we were so very thankful. For my husband, a weekend filled with sleeping in, eating yummy breakfasts and baked treats, and walking along a quiet river do a lot to leave him feeling refreshed. It also blesses our marriage, which in turn helps our family, and the entire congregation. If you like this idea, but aren’t sure on a good place to send them, can I recommend my friends at The Mill House in Grand Rapids, Ohio? Ron and Kathy have a real heart to help pastors recharge, and even offer special pricing for them as a way to bless ministers. We always leave feeling light as a feather!

  One of our favorite places!

  • Meaningful gifts: Is there something that you know your pastor would like, but would be hesitant to buy for himself? This might be the time to do it. Perhaps it’s an inspirational piece for his home, something for his office, a new suit, or a gift that relates to one of his hobbies or interests. If your church is financially able, smaller gifts for his wife and/or children may also bless not only them, but him, too! Visit my Lilla Rose Facebook page to learn how you can bless your pastor’s wife with something special for her hair at a discount this month.

  This special gift given to my husband hangs over our front door

  Want more ideas? Check out this guide from Focus on the Family on Clergy Appreciation Month. It really expands on the ideas in this post!

  Have you done anything to recognize your pastor, whether in October or at another time? Do you have something in the works for this month? Or did an idea you read here spark a new one? Please share!