Praying for their congregation members, leading a weekly service, running weekday activities and so much more are all parts of the daily work that make up a pastor’s job. As an officer’s kid, I’ve witnessed first-hand how much time, energy and love go into pastoring a church—and how thankless the job can be.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and while we can and should show appreciation to pastors year-round, now is a great time to make a special effort to show them how valued their work is. Indeed, for Salvation Army officers entering their busiest season, a morale boost could be just what they need to face the next few months with a little extra joy. Here are a few ideas for how you can share the love this month:

1. Simply say thank you. This is easy and costs nothing. Whether you do it verbally or through a handwritten note, it’s a great start!
2. Public recognition. Work together with other congregation members to plan something special on a Sunday morning during the service. 
3. Video message. Find someone in your congregation to compile thank-you messages from as many members as possible. They can enjoy it for years to come. 
4. Art projects. Sunday school classes, or adults who have artistic talents, could create something special. 
5. Photo albums. Having an album so they can look back on special moments from their time at your church is incredibly meaningful. You could even consider getting congregation members featured in the photos to write a note to accompany each photo so they can enjoy the moments from someone else’s point of view, too. 
6. Financial gift. Whether it’s something your family does alone or a love offering from the congregation, it provides your pastors with support for personal needs or even something fun they couldn’t otherwise enjoy. You can provide this through cash or even gift cards for places you know they’ll like. 
7. Care packages. Personalized items, favourite snacks, devotional books—there’s no shortage of items you could put in a basket and drop at their door. 
8. Food or coffee. Drop off a meal or a hot drink, or offer to take them out. Fellowship, combined with something to fill their belly, offers them even more to enjoy. 
9. Hobby gift. If your pastor has a hobby they love, you could gift them something to support it. This not only shows that you listen to their interests, but it also encourages them to spend time doing something that’s just for them. 
10. Events or group outings. Your pastor plans many events for your congregation. Return the favour by planning something special such as a picnic to celebrate them. 
11. Prayer gathering. Your pastors are constantly praying for you and your fellow congregation members. Show them how good that feels by surrounding them in a time of dedicated prayer. 
12. Paid vacation. The job of a pastor is usually a lot more than 40 hours a week. They have earned some time away, so your church could come together to fund a getaway for them and their family. On top of this, gather a group to cover any services and weekly activities they will miss so they can leave guilt-free. 
13. Guest preacher. Organize someone else to cover preaching one week. This way, your pastor can either take a Sunday off or enjoy being a congregation member for a day, hearing a message from someone else. 
14. Date night. If your pastor is married or if your church is run by a married couple, allow them a night to connect by covering a nice dinner, a movie or something else they enjoy. If they have kids, include babysitting in the gift. 
15. Other gifts. Tickets to events, ministry resources, books, home and office decor—the options are endless. If you see something that makes you think of your pastor, pick it up. It’ll show them you were thinking of them while giving them something they’ll surely love. 

Scripture says, “Respect those who are working with you, leading you, and instructing you. Think of them highly with love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 CEB). So, take some time this month to show your appreciation. You can utilize the suggestions in this list or come up with an idea of your own. Your pastors deserve it!

Sarah Rowe is the young people’s sergeant-major at Saskatoon Temple. 

Illustration: Tartila/stock.Adobe.com