PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH – JUNE
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

The world is doing its best to discredit the work of churches and ministers. Churches must join the fight against this trend. One way to help is to lift up the hands of our pastors and ministers. Those who serve us are “worthy of double honour.” The Indiana District Board has designated the month of June as Minister Appreciation Month. All our churches are encouraged to set aside a special time to say “thanks” to the men and women who have given their lives to the Gospel.

Tips for Honoring Your Pastor/Minister

(This is intended as an idea sheet. Church leadership may choose select concepts that best serve their congregation. Churches may wish to restrict the event to just pastor, or may want to include all full-time ministers on staff, to help distinguish between career ministers and lay ministers.)

Things to do:

Plan a weekend to honor the pastor.

Create a booklet/notebook with letters of appreciation, remarks, photos, etc.

Run an ad in the paper to inform community of your love for your pastors. Include picture with family.

Receive a love offering.

Have a banquet or reception where people may greet pastor and wife. (May want to secure local hotel.)

Plan a card shower.

Begin a scholarship fund in the pastor’s name.

Provide a designated parking space with a sign.

Enlist letters from other pastors/dignitaries, highlighting pastor’s accomplishments in church and community.

Honor pastor’s children or family.

Prepare a historical biography and print in special bulletin on pastor’s appreciation day.

Plan a photo wall or scrapbook recalling pastors/minister’s work.

Plan a professional portrait for the foyer of the church.

Bring in special guests, such as your pastor’s pastor and/or family to speak on Pastor Appreciation Day.

Have an old fashioned handerchief or sock shower just for fun.

Gift presentations may include plaque, flags, letters, gifts, trophy, writing pens, Bible, etc.

Send pastor to special seminar, retreat, or event that would be educational as well as relaxing.

Secure a vacation cabin or villa for a personal getaway.

Place a printed banner inside the church across the front to accent Pastor Appreciation Day.

Have a flower presentation.

Launch a special ministry/library/youth hall/gym, or such like, in the pastor’s name.

Begin a retirement fund for the pastor.

Plant a tree on church grounds in the pastor’s honor.

Have a testimonial time in the service for individual expressions.

Send out invitations to old members.

Have a homecoming on Pastor Appreciation Day.

Have a representative from the church board or congregation to make a speech honoring the pastor.

Have children write poems or create drawings and handmade cards to express their love for the pastor.

Have each child present a flower to the pastor and his or her family to say “thanks.”

All members sign an appreciation letter to re-pledge their support.

Designate pastor’s name day: i.e. “Pastor John Smith Day.”

Ask the mayor of your city to participate in declaring appreciation for your pastor.

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THE ABOVE MATERIAL WAS PUBLISHED BY TRUMPET, MAY, 1995, PAGE 4.

THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY BE USED FOR STUDY & RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.