Pastor Appreciation Month: It is Never Too Late - 7 Meaningful Ways to Show You Care

By WHITNEY SPARKS
Baptist Progress Writer​

​Pastors work extremely hard to shepherd the flock God has entrusted to them. An excellent way for the church to express its gratitude is to show love and support for him each Sunday in October during Pastor Appreciation Month, or on the second Sunday in October, which is known as Pastor Appreciation Day.
 
Each week, pastors lead the church, prepare messages, make hospital visits, provide counseling, make disciples, uplift and encourage the congregants, oversee church operations, attend meetings, supervise staff and pray for God to protect the flock from spiritual warfare. What little time they have left is spent with their families.
 
Our responsibility as the church is “to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.
 
Darla Gardner and Kristi Wilson help coordinate Pastor Appreciation events at First Palmer. When asked why they believe it is vital to celebrate pastors, they responded by saying, “Our pastors do so many things that the general congregation doesn’t even know about. It is easy to overlook their day-to-day work in the church aside from preaching on Sundays. Setting aside a month to intentionally honor them for everything they do can make them feel valued and help build community within the church by collectively working together.”

​Below are seven ways to honor these men of God who spend time building the kingdom of God.
 
Words of Affirmation—If your church is new to celebrating Pastor Appreciation Month, an easy way to start is to share words of affirmation with your pastor and his family. Darla and Kristi suggest that each family or member write a simple note of thanks, either citing specifically what the pastor and his wife have done for them or offering a general word of thanks. Be sure to allow the kids to participate by writing notes, drawing pictures, or putting their handprint on a card or banner.
 
Pray daily for your pastor--—Ask God to help him prepare for the week ahead. Pray that God places a protective hedge over his family and strengthens them. End a church service by having the deacons, or the entire congregation, pray over your pastor. Send a text or email letting your pastor know you are praying for him.
 
Quality Time—Spend quality time with your pastor and his family by attending one of their children’s school activities, inviting them over for dinner, taking the family fishing, or treating them to a sporting event.
 
Love Offering—Randy Musgrove noted that Sand Prairie, Normangee gave their pastor, Joshua Price, a love offering. Darla and Kristi asked the congregants at First Palmer to purchase gift cards to a local store or restaurant to alleviate the financial burden of an oil change, meal, gas, or grocery run.
 
Gifts—Another way to show appreciation to your pastor and his family is to provide them with a gift basket. At Beacon, Bryan, members placed farm eggs, homemade bread, books and various sports equipment into a basket for pastor Nick Kerry. The ladies purchased a spa gift certificate for his wife, Kim.
 
Old-Fashioned Pounding - First Palmer held an old-fashioned pounding for their pastor, Gary Southard and his wife to help bring pantry staples into their home.
 
Potluck - Many churches take the second Sunday in October to host a potluck or luncheon for their pastor. After lunch, churchgoers could spend time sharing what their pastor means to them or show support for their family by giving a love offering.
 
These are small tokens of appreciation to thank our pastors for all they do. Remember, the best way to celebrate your pastor is to attend church and listen to what God has laid on his heart. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Thank you, pastors. We appreciate you!

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