Carolyn Tomlin
According to LifewayResearch.com, 314,000 protestant churches operate across the United States (Hartford Institute for Religion Research).
Throughout American history, churches have shaped our nation’s direction, and clergy have served as vital leaders in both congregations and communities.
For generations, churches have supported their pastors and clergy, while congregations have found ways to encourage their leaders.
This tradition of honoring ordained leaders reaches back to biblical times. The apostle Paul wrote that the church elders deserve “double honor, especially preaching and teaching” (I Timothy 5:17). In I Thessalonians 5:12-13, he urged believers to “hold in the highest regard those God has chosen to work among you” and to “love them.”
In 1992, this biblical principle inspired the creation of Clergy Appreciation Month as a time to honor pastors and religious personnel.
Two years later, the global Christian organization, Focus on the Family, named October as Pastor Appreciation Month, with Pastor Appreciation Day falling on the second Sunday in October.
Simple and effective suggestions for honoring ministers, staff, and their families:
Churches should plan ahead. Start early in the calendar year to build a team of members so financial goals can be met. If using the second weekend in October, plan a special Sunday service to recognize the entire church staff.
A minister’s family is a big part of the success of the pastor. Pastors with children may have to skip sporting events, piano recitals, and other programs to meet church responsibilities.
One retired minister’s wife recalled a family event that her husband couldn’t attend: “Our son was playing in Little League baseball tournament, and my husband had an associational meeting he had to attend. The score was tied, and our son came up to bat. He hit a home run, and his team won the game. His dad missed that important event in the life of our boy.”
During Pastor Appreciation Month, extend your gratitude to the entire pastoral family.
Here are some practical ideas:
- Write a personal note. Ask each church family to write a personal note telling the pastor and his family how much they mean to the congregation. Form a team to contact families early, offer writing tips, and set a collection deadline. Present these letters alongside a financial gift during Pastor Appreciation Day.
- Promote your church in the community. Place an ad in the local newspaper or on radio featuring photos and names of your staff. Many papers offer this as a courtesy; if not, seek sponsors from the congregation. Include the church’s name, address, website, and service times. This honors your staff while strengthening your church’s community presence.
- Involve children in honoring the pastor. Give preschool and elementary Sunday school children paper that says: “I Love My Pastor Because _______.” Collect their responses, place each in a plastic sleeve, and compile them in a 3-ring binder. Let the children present this gift during Pastor Appreciation Day — a treasure that reminds pastors how much young hearts cherish them.
- Make it a text day. Sunday school teachers can coordinate a special day when everyone sends the pastor a brief text message. Ask people to share one way the pastor supported them during a joyful or difficult time.
- Give a family trip. Many pastoral salaries leave little room for vacations. Collect donations to fund a family trip, even airfare for distant destinations. Perhaps a member owns a vacation home or time-share condo they could offer for a few days. Show the pastor’s family your appreciation through the gift of rest and renewal.
These simple acts of kindness acknowledge the sacrifices ministry families make and encourage those who faithfully serve your congregation.
This October, take time to honor those God has called to lead you. B&R — Carolyn Tomlin lives in Jackson and writes for the Christian market and teaches the Jackson Christian Writers Fellowship.
