English
Korean
Spanish
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.”
