October is Pastor Appreciation Month.

Here are simple but profound ways to express appreciation to your pastor, pastor's family and pastoral staff. Consider gathering these appreciation gifts and presenting them on one or more Sundays in October.

Preschoolers and Children

Create hand-made appreciation cards for the pastor, pastor's spouse and pastor's children. Have these preschoolers and children decorate cards with hand-drawn pictures of the pastor's family.

Middle School and High School Students

Initiate a workday to mow, trim and mulch the pastor's yard, clean their windows or wash the pastor and spouse's cars. Be sure to consult with your pastor and spouse before arranging this workday.

Young Adults

Arrange to care for the pastor's young children and provide restaurant, ice cream and theater gift cards for a date night.

Adults

Take up an offering for a financial gift, gift basket, gift cards, gift certificates, or a weekend getaway.

Senior Adults

Bake homemade treats to present to the pastor and family. Senior adults might also host a pastor appreciation meal on a Sunday after worship services.

"The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium (of respect and remuneration; lit of double honor), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching"

1 Timothy 5:17, HCSB

Craig Webb is assistant executive director at Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention and a contract content editor for LifeWay's Deacon magazine.