4 Ideas to Show Your Pastor Appreciation

When my father was hospitalized for nine long months, our pastor, Mark Harrison, proved to be a tremendous help, comfort, and support to our family. He visited often, prayed for and with us, and served as a spiritual guide during a painful time. Daddy went home to his heavenly Father almost 20 years ago, and I will always be grateful to Pastor Mark for his selfless ministry to us.

How can we thank those devoted pastors who give us time, prayers, energy, love, and support? Paul reminds us to “regard them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thess. 5:13). Here are four practical ways to show your love and appreciation:

1. Write a note and include some of these:

• A gift card to his favorite store.

• Drawings made by your grandchildren.

• Family photographs.

• Memories of him, his family, and the church.

• A book inscribed by each family member.

2. Plan an outing.

• Give him and his family a fun vacation.

• Offer to care for his children, when needed.

• Provide the pastor’s wife tickets to special women’s luncheons and retreat events.

• Give him the gift of a solitary spiritual retreat.

3. Volunteer for church jobs.

• Help him organize his church office.

• Join him on hospital and nursing home visits.

• Plan an event to honor him and his family.

• Volunteer to teach or help in the nursery.

• Help with a church spring cleaning.

• Provide meals to members who are sick.

• Transport homebound members to church.

• • Assist with ministry outreach events.

• Help with church repair and carpentry work.

4. Express your love and appreciation.

• Invite him and his family to dinner.

• Surprise him with gift certificates to his family’s favorite restaurants.

• Verbally express your appreciation to him and his family members.

• Encourage him regularly

• Pray for him, and let him know you and your family are praying for him, his family, the church, and the community.

The month of October is set aside every year to honor pastors as Paul acknowledged in 1 Timothy 5:17, “The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.”