The month of October in North America is set aside as Pastor Appreciation Month. While most people appreciate their pastor(s) throughout the year, October, the month of thanks, is a designated time that you can be intentional in how you appreciate and honour your pastor, pastoral team, and their families. Pastoring while highly rewarding is demanding of time, energy, emotion, resources, skills, gifting, and often personal time outside of regular work hours. All pastors willingly make sacrifices to live out the calling that God has placed on their life to be your pastor and it’s their honour to serve you, along with their spouse and children who also make sacrifices. As it’s sometimes hard to know how to best honour, appreciate and thank your pastor or pastoral team, here are five simple ideas.

1) Top 10 List

Make a Top 10 List of things that you appreciate about your pastor or pastoral team and present it to them and the congregation on a Sunday in October during the service. Your exhortation and encouraging words are meaningful and sometimes things we don’t say out loud enough.

2) Gift Cards

Consider getting a gift card for a local grocery store or another local store that would be a practical blessing to your pastor and pastoral team. Think of a gift card that they will be able to use and will be a practical help and loving gesture. 

3) A Day Away

The Banff Ministers Gathering is coming up in February 2022. Consider giving your pastor and/or pastoral team an extra night away to simply enjoy Banff and relax. Or perhaps there’s a local getaway in your area that you can facilitate being available for your pastor to get away to for rest and refreshing. 

4) Go Public

Surprise your pastor or pastoral team with lawn sign messages, or drop by their home when they are there for a porch visit serenade, or a special delivery of cards of appreciation from the congregation. Post a message of appreciation for your pastor on your community Facebook Page or change up your church sign with a message of thanks. Choose one day to have everyone in your congregation email your pastor(s) with messages of appreciation and encouragement. 

5) Favourite Things

Do a little research and present a gift bag or basket to your pastor and pastoral team members with their favourite snacks and goodies. You might need to talk to their spouse, family members, or friends if you don’t already know what they enjoy. You can also have something delivered to your pastor(s) home.

There are so many more ways that you can appreciate your pastor(s) – be creative! Whatever you do that is genuine and heartfelt will mean more to them than you’ll ever know!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR