Pastor appreciation can come in many forms

Editor’s note: Pastor Appreciation Month is typically observed by Southern Baptist churches during October each year.

Obviously, observing Pastor Appreciation Month is important. No pastor wants to be left out while everyone else is being shown appreciation.

Churches need to express appreciation to all the ministers of their ministerial staff. Ministers give of themselves seven days a week. They are on call 24 hours a day.

No one knows all the calls they receive, the counseling done at the local grocery store, nights away from family and more. Recognizing your staff is biblical and pleasing to the Lord (I Thessalonians 5:12-13; I Timothy 5:17).

There are countless ways to show appreciation to ministers. I aways appreciated receiving handwritten notes from parishioners, especially children. I have a folder in my file cabinet filled with such notes that I look at every now and then.

Gift cards for restaurants are appreciated. Childcare coupons from trusted church members can be a blessing. Gifting vacation weeks at a condo or cabin is a wonderful thought.

You can google ideas or come up with your own.

I do want to recommend a couple options from the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

1. Consider gifting an Off the Grid experience of your minister’s interest. There are a variety to choose from.

2. Consider giving a marriage retreat to your pastor and his wife. Provide the funds for a weekend away at a marriage retreat of their choosing.

The TBMB is promoting “Thrive: A Marriage Retreat for Ministry Couples” planned for Jan. 14-16, 2027.

Bivocational ministers and spouses enjoy an annual retreat each year in January.

Beyond Pastor Appreciation Month, ministers need to be supported throughout the year. Some ways to do that include:

• Make sure your ministers take a day off each week.

• Encourage your ministers to take regular vacations.

• Encourage your ministers to see their physician for regular check-ups.

• Encourage your ministers to take time for exercise and recreation.

• Insist that your ministers have time at home with family on most nights.

• Clarify minister expectations both with the minister and the church. Unrealistic expectations lead to burnout.

• Consider developing a sabbatical policy that provides time away for study and enrichment.

• Encourage ministers and their family members to receive counseling through the TBMB’s Shepherd Care ministry when needed.

The greatest gift you can give is to always pray for your pastor and ministerial staff. There’s nothing more important. Love and treat his family the way you would like your family to be treated.

On the behalf of ministers across Tennessee, thank you for all you do for your pastors and ministerial staff.

If our staff can serve your pastor, staff and/or your church in any way, please contact me at jsorah@tnbaptist.org or 423-895-1481. B&R