Month: October 2024

How can we honor our pastors?

Many churches observe Pastor Appreciation Month in October. How or when your church chooses to show love to your pastors is up to you. But just in case you’re needing a few ideas, we reached out to a number of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention pastors recently to ask them how churches might best show them appreciation. Here’s a sampling of their responses:

1 “Last year, our church threw a fish fry supper for pastor appreciation and collected gift cards for a ‘shower’ for us. Our family ate at different restaurants for over six months, bought groceries for a few months off that … it was such a blessing.”

2“My church provided me with the time and the funds to take a sabbatical. It was an amazing time that they ‘made us’ take. It was a truly refreshing time I didn’t realize I/we really needed after nearly 30 years of ministry.”

3“In the past, members have signed up to do something nice for our family every day for a month. It was everything from mowing my yard to washing my car to giving me a gift card to my favorite restaurant.”

4 “Our church recognized my family during a Sunday service. They gave flowers to my wife and gave me a card signed by all the kids in the kids ministry.”

5 “One church where I served was very creative—they paid to have my master bathroom remodeled and also gave my family a weekend at a resort.”

6 “My church filled an entire calendar with people in the church to pray for me and my family. We were covered for 365 days straight, and we used the calendar to pray each day for those who were praying for us.”

7 “One way my church could show me appreciation would be to share the gospel with someone and then tell me about it via text or email or a phone call.”

8 “I received a public acknowledgment of appreciation from the deacons and the personnel committee. I hated it at first and did not want it, but after it was done, it was really meaningful.”

9 “Last year, our church blessed us with a cruise. I know that’s not possible for everybody, but it was helpful for us to get to go on vacation.”

10

“I love me a good handwritten note of specific ways God has used me in someone’s life. I also love when people give my wife and I date nights—gift cards to our favorite restaurants as well as babysitters.”

11

“Last year, our church held a lunch in my honor and invited people to share some meaningful parts of my ministry.”

12

“Our church had people write anonymous notes of encouragement and drop them in a basket along with gift cards. Some people have watched our kids so my wife and I could go on a date night.”

13

“I think the most meaningful ways the church has encouraged me are the times when they make a point to include my family in the gift or recognition. My work is extremely visible … but the ways my family serves and sacrifices are typically not seen.”

Never too young to make a difference

Harper Sparks is a pretty typical sixth grader. She loves football, her friends, and swimming. She also reigns as Young Miss DeKalb over in Bowie County. Her dad, James, is pastor of First Baptist Church in DeKalb, where Harper is an enthusiastic participant in church ministries and events.

But Harper also has an unusual item on her growing resume—she’s the youngest columnist for the Bowie County Citizens Tribune newspaper.

Starting a year ago, the 12-year-old middle schooler writes a weekly devotional in the lifestyle section of the paper. Her July 24 column spoke of her participation in a project for Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, a ministry that serves families who have a baby in intensive care.

“This ministry helps these families and mothers know that they are not alone, and the love of God is with them,” she wrote.

The column went on to encourage readers to find ways to let their own lights shine in the lives of those around them. She concluded with an invitation to attend her church.

James says Harper’s relatable style has made her articles popular. “[Her writing] is easy for anybody of any age to grasp … a lot of people in this community have been touched by how down to earth it is,” he said.

Her connection to the paper came about unexpectedly. Her mom, Mindy, posted an anecdote involving Harper to their church’s Facebook page after a 2023 mission trip. The editor of the paper saw the post and ended up inviting Harper to write a weekly devotion.

Taking on a weekly column is indicative of Harper’s confidence and maturity. She is bold to invite her teachers to attend First Baptist with her. Some of them have started attending, and one even credits Harper’s persistence with strengthening her own spiritual life and that of her family.

“I told [Harper], ‘No matter what else you do with your life, this is the real stuff,’” Mindy said. “You’re making a real difference in people’s lives.”

Thank you, pastor

This time of year is my favorite. The weather begins cooling off and the leaves start changing colors. I also love this time of year because it’s football season. There is nothing like high school football on Friday nights and college football on Saturdays.

However, of all the things we can highlight this time of year, one that often goes unmentioned is the time churches can set aside for pastor appreciation. Many churches designate October as Pastor Appreciation Month. It is a time when church families can express their thankfulness for their pastor and his family.

It is extremely important as a church to let your pastor know you love and appreciate him. I pastored two churches and know firsthand the challenges pastors face. Allow me to give you three reasons your church should set aside time to show appreciation to your pastor:

Pastors work hard

There is an old joke that pastors only work on Sundays and Wednesdays. There is absolutely no truth in that statement. Pastors are some of the hardest working people there are. Every week, a pastor must seek the Lord for what he should share out of God’s Word for the congregation. He spends hours studying and crafting that message. On top of that, he is leading an organization. A church has many administrative duties that require leadership. He also must shepherd the people the Lord has called him to. Sometimes that requires counseling people. Sometimes that means early morning or late night visits to the hospital. Sometimes that means fixing things around the church. Your pastor works hard.

Pastors can feel isolated

Pastoring can be a lonely calling. It’s one of the only positions in the world that has a constant revolving door of relationships. A pastor will see people come into the church and see people leave the church. People get engaged in the ministry and then they may move to another city. This makes it difficult for a pastor to establish deep relationships and can lead to feeling isolated. Make sure your pastor knows you love him and are here to support him. See him as a friend and a pastor.

Pastors need time away

I often encourage churches to give their pastors time away. The nature of being a pastor means you are always on call. It’s not a job you can leave at the office. At any moment, a pastor’s time with his family could be interrupted for various reasons. There is rarely any time to unplug and recharge. I encourage your church to find time when your pastor can be away and be refreshed. I promise you, he will be a better pastor when his heart has been refreshed with rest and family time.

I have always believed being a pastor is the greatest calling one can have. But it can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining. However, your pastor does it with joy day in and day out because he loves the calling the Lord has given to him. I encourage you to take time as a church to show appreciation to your pastor. When your pastor feels loved and appreciated, he will love and lead you well.

I love you and am humbled to serve you!