October is Pastor Appreciation Month.
Every day is a great day to show appreciation to your pastors, but why not start today? It’s a great time to say “thank you” to anyone and everyone on your church staff, including volunteers. I recently asked friends who are pastors and ministry leaders from around the country:
What is the most meaningful or helpful thing people in your church have done to show their appreciation for you as a pastor?
My hope and prayer is that their responses spark gratitude in your own hearts on how to shout “THANK YOU!” to your pastor and church leaders:
“By far, it is seeing them serve with their precious time, prayers, resources and placing themselves in community as we serve Jesus together.
But it isn’t just them serving, but by them growing. My greatest joy is that they get into Scripture, and express love for God. When their passion for Jesus is thriving—that is the greatest encouragement. It keeps me going above anything else they could do.”
—Dan Kimball, Leader at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California
“Pastors are busy and typically so socially overwhelmed that the typical offers actually become burdens (dinners, lunches, meetings, invitations). The best appreciation(s) are those that create space for their family or just them and their spouse or just them. When someone gives money for a baby-sitter and a gift card, or offers a getaway opportunity, etc. that is really huge.
Don’t offer to baby-sit their kids unless they have reason to know and trust you. That just puts them in a weird spot to ignore your offer. Pastors learn to be leery and suspicious so don’t try that.”
—Shane Farmer, Pastor at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
“I have received gift certificates to some of the best BBQ joints in the south…but the most meaningful gifts have simply been acknowledgments of appreciation through prayer and special songs during worship.
My most favorite gift has to be a model of a 57 Chevy Coupe that a six-year-old girl gave me because she heard I wanted a “57 Chevy.” Sits on my desk in my office to this day.”
—Mike Stonbraker, District Leader in the United Methodist Church in Northern Alabama
Don’t underestimate the power of a simple “thank you.” I recently heard from a pastor’s wife who said in her twenty-five years ministry, she had never had anyone thank her. That breaks my heart. A sweetly written note, a quick email, or an emoji-filled text of thanks would have fueled her as she ministered to the people God had called her to serve.
The most precious gift we’ve received was a collection of letters from our church members sharing the stories of what God has done in their lives, mixed with precious words of thanks. Those words poured courage into us as leaders, reenergized us in our work, and powerfully reminded us why we do what we do. We have returned to those letters again and again over the years. It just takes a few moments to let your pastors and their wives know that you appreciate them, but they will hold tightly to that thank you for a long time.
—Lori Wilhite, ministry leader at Leading and Loving it, pastor’s wife at Central Church in Las Vegas, Nevada
Gift cards are one of my love languages—especially gift cards that result in a date night at one of our favorite restaurants. I love a good old-fashioned note of appreciation. Nothing like hearing about the way someone’s life is being touched and transformed. Last but not least, the pentecostal handshake. For those who don’t know what that is, it’s a handshake where a bill of significant value ($50 or $100) is concealed in one’s hand and transferred to the other party via handshake.
—Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C.
As a young pastor, I received a suit that I could never afford nor buy for myself. Sticky notes covering a complete wall of our church with memories and kindness. Books with personal notes. Family trip or weekend getaway for my wife and I. Tickets and travel to a ministry conference.
Through these 23 years in ministry, we have been so blessed to serve some great churches and work with tremendous people. The late nights or calls during family time are not always easy, but I cannot tell you the joy that comes from being with people sharing their moments of greatest pain, fear, and even their celebrations.
—Michael Harrison, pastor at The Community Fellowship Church in Collinsville, VA
Every weekend—really everyday—I am encouraged by my congregation. After each service, I’m stunned by their life-giving words. It’s not that they doll out mere compliments. They aren’t simply saying, “Nice sermon, pastor” as they walk out the door. They say things like, “My life is being changed, and here’s why…” “My marriage is being transformed, and we want you to know what God is doing…” It’s stories of life-change—not mere compliments—that inspire me to continue to throw myself into ministry. My church keeps me from ever wondering if “my labor is in vain.” If you want to encourage a pastor, be specific and share how his or her ministry is helping you love God and love others more.
My church is also very thoughtful. They listen to the things I share about my life or family in my messages, and they give meaningful gifts they know will really bless us. Last week, one individual in our church wrote me a beautiful thank you note and enclosed a gift card to one of my favorite bakeries. Another woman (whose whole family is being transformed by Jesus) baked me some of her gourmet chocolate chip cookies. These are thoughtful, inexpensive ways to show you care about your pastor (They are not, however, helping my diet).
Perhaps the greatest example of appreciation happened when I met some friends for dinner. Little did I know that they had other plans for us that evening. When we arrived at the restaurant to meet our friends, we were picked up in a limo and brought to the house of one of my board members. Their backyard was beautifully decorated and a live band was performing. My family, my staff and all of their families were then treated to a multi-course gourmet meal, prepared and served by dozens of volunteers from our church. Our younger children were entertained by a dear friend who is a preschool teacher, and our older kids were treated to a night on the town in the limousine with some incredible church friends. It was such an honor and a delight to have—not just my family—but the family of my whole team honored by our church. I will never forget that night!
Here’s the truth about church ministry: Nobody’s getting rich… but nobody cares about being rich. We’re rich in love and friendship in this incredible community we get to pastor. Because of the fierce love of my church, I walk away most weekends exclaiming, “I can’t believe I get to do this!”
—Troy Champ, Pastor at Capital Church in Salt Lake City, Utah
Being a woman in a male-oriented ministry can be very lonely. People would anticipate the busy times of ministry and help to share the load: serve at my home/needs so that I could focus elsewhere. A woman has prayed for me each day for 15 years! She does not know the in’s and outs of my life’s details but quietly tells me that she is on her knees…this humbles me greatly. What a precious gift this is to me.
Those are the most touching and motivating gifts, pressing me to move forward in my calling. I believe if we can look at the day in the life of one who serves in ministry, the potential for all that is faced, the body could be an incredible encouragement.
—Kelly McClelland, Adult Ministries Director at Woodside Bible Church in Michigan
A meaningful thing one can do is constantly encourage their pastor to pursue physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual health. May we never forget the best thing for any congregation is to have a pastor who is healthy, whole, loves Jesus and maintains a good heart.
Don’t forget pastors are exactly like you. We are broken and bruised men and women made in the image of an almighty God who are in the process of being made whole. As a pastor I know firsthand all the wounds, brokenness and struggle I have worked through and continue to work through every single day of my life. We are on the same spiritual journey of transformation and renewal you are.
+ Pray for them – and if you don’t know where to start email your pastor and ask how you can specifically pray for them (not the church, but him or her personally).
+ Encourage them when they take time off with their family.
+ Ask them about who they are, not just what they believe or what the church is about.
+ Don’t hang out with them just because they are the pastor – spend time with them because they are your brother or sister.
+ Give them grace in their weakness, and love in their struggle.
+ Don’t assume they hear nice compliments all the time, rather send them a note filled with life-giving words.If you do this, the very gift you give will end up being a gift to yourself. Because when your pastor is healthy, he or she will be able to love, serve and care for your congregation in the best way possible.
While this will not create the perfect church, it just may create a healthy church.
—Michael Hildalgo, Lead Pastor at Denver Community Church in Denver, Colorado
I am continually humbled by the number of people who let me know that they pray regularly for my family and me. I know I need the help, and the issues facing our church (and THE Church) are huge, so I feel very encouraged that people would think to pray.
–Mike Erre, pastor of EV Free in Fullerton, California
A huge THANK YOU to all the pastors who shared their words above. I’m beyond grateful for the impact you’ve had on your communities as well as on Leif and me.
How are you celebrating Pastor Appreciation Month?
Are you on staff at your church? Feel free to share the best ways you’ve been shown appreciation in the past.
Bonus: Here’s a collection of 30 ways to show appreciation to your pastors.
