October is Pastor Appreciation Month, silly? Maybe, but I happen to like it when people show “appreciation” to their pastors. And really, appreciating your pastor should be easy. As Pastor Bill Cwirla says:
“Pastor Appreciation Month, is it? Here’s the best way to appreciate your pastor: Come to church every Sunday to hear the Word and receive the Sacrament. And in-between, try coming to Confession. That’s how you appreciate your pastor.”
Well, these days that turns out to be pretty hard for most. But for any of you over achievers here are some additional ideas to show your pastor you appreciate all he does. Numbers 1, 6, 8 and 9 are very good ones by the way!
From LCMS.org:
1. Pray for your pastor.
Ask God to shower your pastor with an abundance of love, hope, and joy, as he pursues the activities of ministry for you and your family.
2. Identify a special committee to “care for pastor”.
This is a group of people in your congregation with the gift for caring. Their work is completely separate from the elders, church council, or other governing board of the congregation. They represent, serve, and advocate for the needs of the pastor, and lead the rest of the congregation in the dynamics of caring for him and his family.
3. Express appreciation, spoken and written.
A spoken compliment is always welcome. A written one can be read over and over again. Tell pastor’s wife something nice about him, she’ll appreciate it and he will hear about it later. For the same reason, compliment him to his children.
4. Celebrate with a special meal
Host an annual celebration at which your pastor and his family are the honored guests.
5. Respect his time.
When possible, give advance notice about meetings, confirmation parties, invitation to rehearsal dinners, and other events to which he will be invited.
6. Live in peace.
Appreciation is more than cards and gifts, it’s an attitude. Pastors sometimes face a great deal of criticism, both to their face, and behind their back. Speak well of your pastor when you hear him criticized.
7. Encourage his personal interests.
Find out what your pastor likes. Is he interested in baseball? How about music? Does he golf? He will feel appreciated when you discover and support the interests of his wife as well.
8. Lovingly insist on “time off”.
Your pastor will need to take time for renewal and rest, but may feel as though there is too much work to get done. Help him know that he not only has permission to get appropriate rest and relaxation, but that it will benefit his ministry and provide a good model for the members.
9. Support a strategy for professional connections.
Your pastor desires to be the best he can be in serving you, and will need to remain current with continuing education. Encourage him to meet regularly with other pastors. Your financial and emotional support in this regard is vital.
10. Encourage time with his loved ones.
Ask if he has scheduled a “date night” and “family night”? Offer ideas about babysitting, if that would help.
11. Respect the dinner hour.
Your pastor will feel obligated to answer the phone when it rings, so discover when he and his family typically sit down for dinner, and plan to contact him at a different time.
12. Show special attention to his wife, but treat his children the same way you treat other children.
More on Pastor Appreciation Month:
October Is Pastor Appreciation Month
Thanks for posting this Aubri!
Great ideas!
Can I add another?
Please understand that things like the Ladies Aid fall bazar or the 6 spoons missing from the church kitchen or next week’s men’s Bible study don’t require instant attention and ask for an appointment. Life and death matters or other true crisis aside, most things can wait until an actual appointment! I guess that goes with respecting the Pastor’s time, doesn’t it? 🙂
We actually had a women leave our congregation because the Pastor asked her to make an appointment to talk about what to do about the 6 spoons missing from the kitchen. She couldn’t understand that he was on his way to the hospital and couldn’t help her count the spoons again at that exact moment.
Lea
Thank you Lea. I think it’s hard for people to understand what their pastors do all day, all week. We joke that pastors only work one day a week right? But that can kind of really be how some members think!
We should pray for our pastors in times like these, when members are offended over such issues. Little things can certainly become big things can’t they?
We’re just starting this Pastor-and-family journey and I’ve already heard so many stories – some that would definitely curl my super-straight hair! The one that gives me nightmares is my friend Mel coming home from grocery shopping, 2 tired toddlers in tow, and finding the Ladies’ Tuesday afternoon Bible Study in her living room! It was the parsonage, after all…. and afterward they gave her quite a bit of grief about the carpet needing vacuuming, etc. She handled it very graciously (much more than I would have) but YIKES!
Maybe we need some kind of fun game or something about how people think the Pastor spends his time during the Adult Sunday School class one of these weeks. Family Feud -style could be fun!
We’ll be praying for patience, wisdom, understanding and whatever else Pastor’s need during these times and praying for understanding from the congregational members too!
🙂
Lea
Ha Lea! What a nightmare! I’ve heard a lot of horror stories like these too, thankfully I’ve not been the protangonist in any of them, hope you won’t be either!
Great list!