The month of October has been designated as “Pastor’s Appreciation Month.” I was made aware of the fact that it was the Church of God that kind of spearheaded this idea throughout the Body of Christ so that the awareness of what pastors do for their congregation could be raised and in turn appreciated. Let me share some of this article with you. 

You may not know it, but there are individuals who have spent most of their lives in preparation to serve you and others like you. When God tugged at their hearts, they responded by dedicating their lives to meeting your needs—and thanked God for the opportunity. It is for awareness of our pastors' dedication and service that October has been named "Pastor Appreciation Month." Our appreciation of our pastors should not be limited to one month out of the year, but designating that month for that purpose gives us an opportunity to ponder the special ways our pastors bring a blessed friendship into our lives. 

As I continued to read, the article then showed what some of the fresh ideas various congregations had creatively come up with to honor their pastors. 

We gave our senior pastor a trip to the Pastor/Spouse Roundtable retreat in Florida and a weekend at the beach, gave gift cards and baskets of goodies and gifts from the congregation to each pastor and spouse, and had a worship service of praise with a mini-concert by a trio in our church and tributes of appreciation. 

—From South Carolina

We took over one service so that they could sit back and enjoy. We also gave time-saving coupons to them—coupons for taking a car in for an oil change, cleaning their house, raking the leaves.  

—From South Dakota

We clapped each week as the pastor came to the pulpit; took a collection and sent them on a vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee; held a ladies tea in honor of the pastor's wife; and held an evening service of testimonies and fellowship afterwards in honor of pastors and also a card shower.  

—From Indiana

We made a bulletin board with various snacks that were attached to a saying about that snack—e.g., Mounds candy bar, "We've gained mounds of wisdom from you." We also presented our pastor and wife with a check for $650.00.  

—From Oklahoma

We made plans for him and his wife to go to the Praise Gathering in November, took a love offering, and had a card shower and greeting time for them.  

—From Michigan

Our congregation sent cards of appreciation and gave a study Bible, gift certificates to Dairy Queen and Baskin Robbins, and a plant.  

—From Washington

We took meals to our pastor and his wife for the whole week before appreciation Sunday; had a guest speaker and a carry-in dinner after the service; presented them with two large baskets filled with things they like—coffee, tea, candy, tie, etc. and put articles in the newspapers honoring them.  

Well, the more I read this article, the more I began to smile and thank God for the congregation that I am honored to pastor—Mega Church. The fresh aroma of what was done for us over Love Weekend still lingers in our hearts and memories. For my wife and me, Love Weekend was the most perfectly organized and impacting appreciation any pastor of any size congregation of any city or town or of any religious affiliation could ever have. I simply wish every pastor could experience what we experienced as the Mega Church family rallied in tremendous fashion to express their extreme gratitude for our leadership. It was unparalleled. The list presented of varied ways congregations can appreciate their pastors is very creative and effective, I’m sure, as each one does what they do from the heart. But to do it in gala fashion, I think many congregations can certainly learn from the congregation we are blessed to pastor—Mega Church!  

Thank you, Mega, for your extreme sacrifice in making our lives joyous. My wife and I have re-lived the events of the weekend a thousand times over. We have talked and talked and thanked and thanked and emailed and emailed about this event in an untiring manner. Again to all of the Mega members who joined together to celebrate us, we thank you!!!!