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Ideas for Observing Clergy Appreciation
The church leadership should carefully plan “NATIONAL MINISTERS’ DAY”. The various departments of the church should be involved in the coordinated effort, and everyone given an opportunity to participate in some way.
Ministers are aware of "NATIONAL MINISTERS' DAY," since it has been publicized and is an annual event. However, there can be an element of surprise in the way the congregation chooses to show its appreciation. If you choose to honor the minister during the Sunday morning service, ask him for some time in the service for this purpose. Use ingenuity to keep the exact nature of the event a surprise to him.
ADVANCED PLANNING:
1. Select a committee well in advance to plan and arrange special activities for this day.
2. Inform the people of the church and community about your plans to honor all the ministers, and list the special activities.
3. Make a checklist to be certain all assignments will be completed by a set time. Set regular committee meetings to receive progress reports.
4. Pray that your recognition of faithful ministers will bring honor to our wonderful Lord.
SUGGESTIONS:
The ideas listed are intended to be starters only. You may combine or adapt one or more of the suggestions, depending on the size and inclination of your congregation. Show appreciation to your minister (and remember his wife and children) in your own special way.
· Decorate the minister's office door and hallway with posters made by the children's groups.
· Offering envelopes for the special day could be mailed to members for a special love offering.
· Decorate a leafless tree with green money; or, a clothing gift certificate could be presented.
· The minister's children who live elsewhere could be invited to a special day as a surprise.
· A picture album of photos taken on that day could be presented to him later.
· "Thank you" notes distributed to the congregation could be used to express appreciation. Or, a card and letter shower, pinpointing favorite sermons and ways in which the minister's ministry has helped.
· A homecoming, or family reunion, inviting members who have moved away.
· A gift of skills — special projects the minister desires to have done.
· Have a "This is your life at (church) " presentation.
· Taped greetings from fellow ministers, District officials, etc.
· Meal functions with special groups, such as Men's Ministries, etc.
· Take black and white photos for use in newspaper.
· An album of snapshots involving church families and activities.
· Have musicians play or sing his favorite songs.
· Classes in Sunday School could write letters decorated with artwork.
· A banner, saying, "Our Minister, We Love You!" could be displayed across the front of the church.
· Ask the minister to pay a brief visit to each class or department. Expressions of appreciation could be presented to him.
· Plan a special "Break the Record Day."
· Have an "Old Fashioned Western" day. Stress a return to a "Brush Arbor" atmosphere.
· Give him a mini-vacation.
PRAY FOR YOUR MINISTER(S):
Organize the church for special times of prayer for your minister.
· Have families set aside a time each week to call the minister's name in prayer.
· Have men pledge 15 minutes per day to pray for their minister.
· Have women pray for the minister at each of their meetings.
· Have Sunday School classes praying for the minister.
Whatever you do to show appreciation, let it be beyond what you would normally do for the minister. Whether your situation calls for presenting the keys to a new car, guaranteeing wood for the fireplace all winter, or something in between, do it in the name of the Lord, to honor your minister's service to your congregation.
How our congregation observed Pastor Appreciation
submitted by pastors and church leaders...
Never in over 25 years of ministry has a church been so thoughtful and kind. The board and congregation observed Pastor Appreciation the entire month with a different way of honoring my wife and I each Sunday. The congregation gave us cards and gifts as well as a dinner in our honor. We are truly blessed by their love and kindness.
Our church surprised me: they brought my son and his family: my two daughters and their family and they lead worship, my son preached: first time I got to see this: they had a dinner for us: had a memory video: they also brought former church people from other pastorates, and some of my family; it was great.
I am sorry to report that nothing was said or done this past Sunday. At the end of the morning, as I was turning off the lights and locking up I was told there was a basket on the back table. It had 9 cards in it, six of which had a gift in it. 2 people on their own acknowledged it as Clergy Appreciation Day verbally. I was a bit discouraged knowing that the District had communicated with our Board and Trustees. But I am reminded that such things are gratuitus, and not the reason why I am here. Thank you for your leadership and instruction of our leaders in this area. I appreciate that very much.
The leadership knows that I own a cottage at Potomac Park camp that is in need of repair. In fact the cottage was completely gutted including the electrical and plumbing. The men of the church have put in the electrical, plumbling, insulation, and drywall. They paid for the materials and did all the work. We had as many as 16 workers who traveled from the Frostburg, Md area to Potomac Park Camp to do the work. The Church also honored the associate pastors with a cash gift. They also had a reception after the Sunday Night Service for all the staff.
Our Pastor's Appreciation Service was Sunday, October 14, 2007. We had a Holy Ghost time...We gave our Pastor's & Elder's Love offerings and gifts, for all that they do, not only for us but for our Shepherd. This group of leaders has changed my life forever and has showed me that there is nothing else that matters but God. Who can argue with that. Amen.
We celebrated all our pastoral staff and the lay-pastors in the congregation. With large pictures in the lobby and bulletin inserts, the congregation joined the pastors in a celebration meal after the Sunday service. It was excellent. The numerous cards, lettes, and gifts were very much appreciated. We have a wonderful church with members that love their pastors ... equally put, we love them too.
One of the nicest pastoral 'gifts' given several years ago by our then congregation was a book filled with testimonies of how God touched individuals during our pastorate. Included in the book were different pictures taken of us, as well as random shots of different church events. The book also contained wonderful heartfelt cards plus certificates given by different individuals to be used at restaurants, bed and breakfast, car wash, house cleaning, yard work, etc. It has been so nice over the years to pull that book out, to reminisce over the wonderful years we had and to see how God touched so many lives.
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