Did you know that October is Pastor's Appreciation Month? It is - and what a great opportunity to bless the shepherd of your local body with thankfulness and love. We want to encourage you to join together with some other brothers & sisters in Christ at your local church and come up with a plan to celebrate our pastors this month! Here are a few ideas to get you thinking!
1 - Have a card & letter shower: In this digital age, actually getting a physical note is very unique and memorable. It doesn't take much time to jot a note, and a stamp is still not that expensive - if you could get half your congregation to mail off short notes of thanks or encouragement, think what an impact that would have on your pastor's heart. Awesome! We have even heard of one church that purchased blank postage prepaid postcards in bulk and distributed them to the congregation. They had at least one card sent from each family - wow!!
2. - An after-service potluck picnic party: We know it's tough to spend money in these days, but what about a potluck lunch? Gather in the social hall, on the lawn (if it's warm enough), or even on tables in the back parking lot - just do it! Each family brings something to share, and an emcee starts the festivities with a prayer for blessing on your faithful pastor. Then, allow one-minute testimonies from a few people (arrange several beforehand just to be sure!) about a time when the pastor really helped them, or something about your pastor that means a lot to them. Take pictures, and upload them to a website like www.shutterfly.com to make a hard backed photo book that will be precious and personalized for your pastor. If you can get someone to write summaries of the testimonies (or write down quick quotes) - they can go in the photo book with the photos. Remember - it really isn't about the food. It does not need to be fancy. One way to go might be a burrito potluck. Some families bring packages of tortillas, others cooked shredded chicken, or ground beef, other bring grated cheese, etc.
3. Honor Pastor's family with special event tickets: Pastors get little time with their families, and many times it seems they are hesitant to take their well-deserved vacations, because of their deep concern for the flock at home. One way to encourage them to set aside time to make special memories with their family is to plan it for them, and surprise them with that gift in a service this month. If your pastor has a young family, perhaps they would like tickets to an amusement park nearby, and a couple of nights hotel stay. If pastor is older, without children at home, perhaps your pastor and his wife would appreciate a few nights at a lovely resort just a few hours away. The goal is simplicity and peace; make sure the destination is easily accessible and not a burden to get to. By taking up a special offering for this, the cost can be split many ways and not be burdensome to either the church or any one individual family.
4. Coupon Book of Love Gifts: One fun way to honor your pastor that will keep on giving throughout the year is a "coupon book" from the congregation. Ask for volunteers to do things like babysitting, yard-cleaning, car tune-ups, carwashes, and include gift certificates for coffee, movie night, bookstores, etc.
5. From the Mouths of Babes: Get Children's Ministries in on the gift by having each child color a picture for a scrapbook to present to the pastor during service. The front page can be a picture of the church building, and have enough blank space for members to sign around it (even if it takes an extra page or two).
6. Pastor's favorites: Does your pastor have a favorite hobby or even a favorite treat? Ask everyone to bring a small gift to put in a large basket relating to that. We have heard of everything from a jelly-belly basket, to a fly-fishing basket, to a Starbucks-card basket! Our pastors don't spend much time or money celebrating themselves, so this is a fun way to say you are thinking of them.
Well, perhaps some of you have a great idea? We would love to hear about it! Please post it in the comments here on the blog, and we will get it approved and up as soon as possible, so that all may benefit.
Above all, whatever you do, make sure to express your heart. Truly, a note is best - you would be surprised how little affirmation a pastor gets. Pastor support and counsel their congregation through the worst of times, and whenever there is a conflict or complaint they hear it. Let's change that for this month. Let's make sure they have a box or book of letters, notes, pictures, and prayers to uplift and encourage them this next year as they pour out their lives as an offering for Jesus.
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
1 - Have a card & letter shower: In this digital age, actually getting a physical note is very unique and memorable. It doesn't take much time to jot a note, and a stamp is still not that expensive - if you could get half your congregation to mail off short notes of thanks or encouragement, think what an impact that would have on your pastor's heart. Awesome! We have even heard of one church that purchased blank postage prepaid postcards in bulk and distributed them to the congregation. They had at least one card sent from each family - wow!!
2. - An after-service potluck picnic party: We know it's tough to spend money in these days, but what about a potluck lunch? Gather in the social hall, on the lawn (if it's warm enough), or even on tables in the back parking lot - just do it! Each family brings something to share, and an emcee starts the festivities with a prayer for blessing on your faithful pastor. Then, allow one-minute testimonies from a few people (arrange several beforehand just to be sure!) about a time when the pastor really helped them, or something about your pastor that means a lot to them. Take pictures, and upload them to a website like www.shutterfly.com to make a hard backed photo book that will be precious and personalized for your pastor. If you can get someone to write summaries of the testimonies (or write down quick quotes) - they can go in the photo book with the photos. Remember - it really isn't about the food. It does not need to be fancy. One way to go might be a burrito potluck. Some families bring packages of tortillas, others cooked shredded chicken, or ground beef, other bring grated cheese, etc.
3. Honor Pastor's family with special event tickets: Pastors get little time with their families, and many times it seems they are hesitant to take their well-deserved vacations, because of their deep concern for the flock at home. One way to encourage them to set aside time to make special memories with their family is to plan it for them, and surprise them with that gift in a service this month. If your pastor has a young family, perhaps they would like tickets to an amusement park nearby, and a couple of nights hotel stay. If pastor is older, without children at home, perhaps your pastor and his wife would appreciate a few nights at a lovely resort just a few hours away. The goal is simplicity and peace; make sure the destination is easily accessible and not a burden to get to. By taking up a special offering for this, the cost can be split many ways and not be burdensome to either the church or any one individual family.
4. Coupon Book of Love Gifts: One fun way to honor your pastor that will keep on giving throughout the year is a "coupon book" from the congregation. Ask for volunteers to do things like babysitting, yard-cleaning, car tune-ups, carwashes, and include gift certificates for coffee, movie night, bookstores, etc.
5. From the Mouths of Babes: Get Children's Ministries in on the gift by having each child color a picture for a scrapbook to present to the pastor during service. The front page can be a picture of the church building, and have enough blank space for members to sign around it (even if it takes an extra page or two).
6. Pastor's favorites: Does your pastor have a favorite hobby or even a favorite treat? Ask everyone to bring a small gift to put in a large basket relating to that. We have heard of everything from a jelly-belly basket, to a fly-fishing basket, to a Starbucks-card basket! Our pastors don't spend much time or money celebrating themselves, so this is a fun way to say you are thinking of them.
Well, perhaps some of you have a great idea? We would love to hear about it! Please post it in the comments here on the blog, and we will get it approved and up as soon as possible, so that all may benefit.
Above all, whatever you do, make sure to express your heart. Truly, a note is best - you would be surprised how little affirmation a pastor gets. Pastor support and counsel their congregation through the worst of times, and whenever there is a conflict or complaint they hear it. Let's change that for this month. Let's make sure they have a box or book of letters, notes, pictures, and prayers to uplift and encourage them this next year as they pour out their lives as an offering for Jesus.
Blessings,
Cara & Patti
Classic Christianity
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