4 Ways to Thank Your Pastor on Clergy Appreciation Day (Sunday, October 8th)

Your pastor cares deeply about your church and works hard every day to demonstrate that love to your community. Clergy Appreciation Day is Sunday, October 8th. What do you have planned to show your gratitude? If you are still on the search for ideas, here are four possibilities that will make your pastor feel more loved than ever.

1. Overwhelm Your Pastor with Thank You Cards

A traditional but always appreciated method for showing appreciation is the sending of a thank you card. This timeless tradition can go a long way to make someone feel special and loved. Prior to Clergy Appreciation Day, send a message to your congregation requesting thank you cards. (And make sure the Pastor doesn’t find out!)

In your message, ask your members to bring greeting cards with heartfelt messages of gratitude handwritten inside. Then gather the cards together and present them to your pastor during Sunday service. Your pastor will be overwhelmed by the showing of love and support, and you will provide uplifting reading material for moments in the future when kind words can give a much needed boost.

2. Organize a Community Potluck

Everyone enjoys a good home-cooked meal, and church leaders are no different. Surprise your pastor with a community pitch-in lunch after service on Clergy Appreciation Day. Have the best cooks in your congregation each supply a dish, and then invite everyone who attended service to join in for feasting and fellowship.

Not only will your pastor enjoy the food, but they will also appreciate the opportunity to interact directly with their membership.

3. Encourage Church Giving Toward a Pastor Appreciation Envelope

Another great way to support pastors is to collect Love Offerings in their honor. Your members will be happy to help support their pastor financially with their church giving. One convenient way to collect this type of offering is to direct church giving funds into a special Pastor Appreciation envelope in your online or mobile giving platform.

That way, when members participate in church giving, they can easily select this Pastor Appreciation envelope and complete their offering effortlessly. Also, your staff can avoid the time and effort it would take to collect cash and checks from the congregation. With online or mobile church giving, the funds will be automatically deposited into the church bank account.

4. Supply Your Pastor’s Favorite Snack

Does your pastor love a certain treat so much that it has been brought up during sermons? Do you happen to know what type of candy your pastor’s sweet tooth craves?

Pool some funds together to purchase a large supply of that tasty snack. Be sure to film the moment when you make the big reveal! The look on your pastor’s face will be priceless.

No matter how you decide to demonstrate your appreciation, make sure your thanks come from the heart. Pastors put a lot of energy and care into the church; it’s important to show them plenty of love in return.