How to honor your minister for Pastor Appreciation Month
October has been designated - by whom, I’m not sure - as Pastor Appreciation Month. I am in favor of showing gratitude to clergy all year round. But since greeting card companies give us the reminder in this particular month, let’s use it to raise our awareness of all that our ministers (in congregational settings and beyond) do on our behalf and thank them for their hard, holy work. Here are some thoughts on how to do this:
Ask your pastor what a “typical” work week looks like, listen deeply to the response, and affirm their use of their time. Ministry is often behind-the-scenes work, made even more invisible by the pandemic. Many clergy would be heartened that a church member took a real interest in the rhythms of ministry simply for the purpose of seeing and valuing that leader’s efforts.
Inquire how you can be praying for your pastor. Yes, so much of ministry is more difficult right now. But many other things are hard for clergy too, like health concerns and worries about family. What a gift it would be to pray for your leader like she prays for you!
Give your pastor additional paid time off. I cannot stress enough that clergy are tired, even the ones that have thrived creatively during Covid. Honor their need for rest.
Set aside funds for your pastor to seek professional support. Spiritual directors, coaches, and other conversation partners can help clergy nurture their souls and/or strategize how to lead in life-giving, authentic ways.
Send a note to your pastor, and encourage others to do the same. What has your pastor done that has been especially meaningful to you? How has church sustained you spiritually during the pandemic? Be specific. It would thrill your minister to know these things. (Note that kids can easily participate in this one. Pastors love to get drawings and letters from children!)
Gather up gift cards. There are lots of options here: grocery store, restaurant, airline, hotel chain, pet store, and much more. Your choice could be geared toward meeting basic needs or helping your minister treat herself. Just make sure the gift cards fit the needs and preferences of your pastor.
More than anything, though, your pastor wants your engagement. This doesn’t necessarily mean coming to the church building, because not everyone feels safe doing that yet. It simply means communication from you to this effect: “Hey, we’re still here and paying attention! We consider this church to be our church even when we aren’t physically around. We are actively looking for ways to participate that meet a risk level comfortable to us. We continue to support all that is happening with our prayers and our giving.” For many clergy, those kinds of messages (as many people seem to be disappearing into the ether) would be the greatest form of appreciation.
Photo by Courtney Hedger on Unsplash.