October is Pastor Appreciation Month and we’ve put together a list of 9 simple ways you can show your pastor you care. It doesn’t need to be a grand gesture that costs a lot of time or money. In fact, that may just make your Pastor uncomfortable. Simple and heartfelt can make a bigger impact than splashy and pricey.
Check out our list of simple ways to show your appreciation in a meaningful way. Most of them are low to no cost. Choose one idea or pick a few and do them throughout the month–there is no wrong way to let someone know they are seen and their efforts are appreciated.
Don’t forget to include your Associate Pastors, Youth Pastors, Music Pastors, etc.! They all work tirelessly and outside of “regular” office hours to shepherd a flock of unruly sheep. Whenever possible, include spouses and children in your blessing as well. They often sacrifice much for the ministry with little to no recognition.
- Pray for your Pastor and his family. If you haven’t already, join our 31 Days of Prayer for Your Pastor Challenge on Instagram! If this is the only thing you do this month it will be time well spent and the rewards will be massive. In fact, pray for your church’s entire leadership team. The burden to lead well is often heavy and lonely. We have put together a FREE printable for you to use this month that gives you things to pray for every day. After you’ve finished praying, send them a quick text to let them know you have prayed for them. Check out our Instagram stories each day for some images you can text or message to your Pastor to tell them they’ve been prayed for.
- Invite them into your home for dinner. Get to know them as people, not just a preacher/shepherd. There’s no need to cook a fancy meal unless that’s something you enjoy doing. Order a couple of pizzas or do a Nacho Bar. Pull out a board game (Cards Christians Like seems fitting!) or a puzzle and have a relaxing evening just laughing, sharing, and getting better acquainted.
- Offer to bring dinner to them–even when no one is sick! What is better than a night off from cooking dinner? Dinner that’s delivered and eaten on all disposable products! NO COOKING and NO DISHES, can I get an “amen”?! Again, if cooking a big meal isn’t your thing, do something simple like tacos. You could even pick up some of the sides from a local Mexican restaurant. You could easily get a rotisserie chicken from the deli, grab a bagged salad, and heat up some refrigerated mashed potatoes. Easy-peasy, quick, and delicious! Or play pizza-delivery person. Include a bagged salad, some soda, and brownies from the bakery at your grocery and it will be a winner for the parents and the children. I always try to send paper plates, disposable cups, napkins, and cutlery. If I’m cooking the meal I package it in disposable containers. It’s always hard to make sure dishes make it back to the people they belong to. **Anytime food is involved, do take the time to ask if there are any dietary restrictions.
- Tell them you appreciate them. It’s really as simple as that. It can be by a text, a message on social media, or better yet– old fashioned snail mail. If you prefer, even an encouraging phone call can brighten their day. Be specific. Tell them what they’ve done or how what they recently taught has impacted your life or your faith walk. Your words could be just the boost they need to keep them from discouragement.
- Praise them to their spouse and children. You can guarantee the praise will make it back to the pastor. It will bless not only the pastor to hear it through the grapevine, but their spouse and children will beam with pride to hear that you appreciate all the work their loved one puts in to serving the church body.
- Slip them a gift card for a local restaurant or cafe. Think coffee shops, ice cream parlors, delis, bakeries, etc. A gift of $10 gives them a reason to slip away from studying for a treat and they will return refreshed and ready to get to work. If you have the means, a gift card for a larger treat, such as dinner out or a night at a hotel is a treat they may not often give themselves.
- If they have small children, offer to babysit so that they can take their spouse out on a date. Getting out of the housen (or some alone time!) can be hard. Asking people to watch your kiddos can be even harder. If you know the family and love their kids don’t wait for them to ask you to babysit–OFFER! Your Pastor and Spouse will be blessed beyond measure!
- Drop off a little giftie of food to the church office. Some homemade cookies in a gift sack with a bow, maybe a 12 pack of their canned/bottled beverage, or even sack lunches can really brighten their day and give them a boost of energy!
- Organize a love offering to be given sometime during the month of October. Coordinate with your Elder Team or Board Members to take up a free-will, love offering to give to your pastor one Sunday.
Bonus: Be slow to complain. Before you bring any grumblings to your Pastor, ask yourself if this issue will matter when you face Jesus. If it doesn’t, then take those grumblings to God and let Him deal with them. If the matter is big enough, be sure to spend some time praying for your pastor and about when and how to best approach him in love before you go charging into his office or email with your issue. I guarantee he will greatly appreciate your kindness!
We hope these 9 simple ways to show your pastor you care are helpful not only for October and Pastor Appreciation month, but all year! Do you plan on doing any of these things this October? We’d love for you to share with us! Leave a comment here and share a picture on Instagram of the ways you are showing your Pastor you care!
XOXO
Shan and Doe
