Make time to honor the clergy in your life, not only on this day
or month but all year long. I am
grateful for national days and months because they get us thinking and talking
about things that sometimes slip our minds.
Just like Clergy Appreciation Month, we are grateful for our pastors,
music ministers, children’s ministers and should do much more for them, with a
designated “Clergy Appreciation Month” the conversation or thinking gets
started, through social media, commercials, Hallmark cards and many other
ways.
Clergy members don’t always have a measure of the work they
do, they don’t always get to see an immediate result. Being in the people business sometimes the
prayers, service, life changing messages that are preached and taught go
without vocalized appreciation. Sometimes
the results of a great life changing message is not see for months and years to
come. A preacher or children’s church
teacher can say something to an adult or child in children’s church that will
mark their life forever, something that will inspire a dream, bring hope to someone
who sees no light at the end of their tunnel.
Sometimes those people move away and never have the opportunity to say
thank you for preaching that message, or worshiping with such passion and
conviction that you inspired me to write music, or start playing an
instrument. A little girl or boy can be
so moved by watching your life that they make right choices and go into a
vocation of service after watching a clergy live a life of service well.
We the people don’t always see the hours of prayer,
preparation and study that our clergy invest for us to receive hope, love, peace
through the Word of God. You don’t see
the hours your pastor spends pouring over the Word of God and writing and
re-writing their messages to get it just right hoping to help and change your
life. You don’t always see the hours the
music minister practices singing, playing their instrument and practicing the
presence of God so they can better serve us and lead us into the presence of
God. We don’t know how much work it is
for the children’s ministers to study and prepare lessons, puppet skits, games
and prizes to engage our children in the things of God. Every so often all the kids join us in the
sanctuary and as you hear the babies crying, the kids squirming I am so
grateful for the teachers that volunteer and serve so our kids can enjoy and receive
God at their level and so we adults can receive from the preaching of the Word
without having to wrestle our little ones in the sanctuary. You don’t always see the hours the church
staff spend counseling, encouraging, praying with people, hospital visits,
meals prepared and delivered to congregation members who just had a baby or
going through a tough time. Clergy
members many times have families of their own, other employment while also
running and managing a church. However many
children you have, you can think of your pastor as having 500 children,
children he is praying for, believing in faith for our success and our goals
and dreams, studying the Word to equip us with the tools we need to walk out
our faith.
With all that being said, honor the clergy in your life. Honor them as a family; it’s important to
teach our children the importance of honoring the clergy in our life. Make sure your church is honoring your
clergy, if the church you attend does not have something in place to do as a
group, speak to someone in leadership and get everyone involved in honoring
your minister. If you are involved in a
team or department in your church, have your team contribute towards a group
gift.
Here are some ideas for you to honor your clergy:
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Write a note of appreciation, give money in a card, buy
flowers for them, give them a gift card to their favorite restaurant, give them
a gas gift card for their vehicle, pay for the vehicle to be washed and
detailed, cook them a special meal or bake them your special dessert, a gift
basket of their favorite things or fruit basket, the possibilities are endless.
Listen when your clergy speak, many times they will tell you
their favorite place to shop, or hobby they enjoy, compile a list throughout
the year and know different ways you can honor them. Honor them on their birthday, Christmas time,
Special Anniversaries (Wedding Anniversary, Anniversary of Starting the
Church), Clergy Appreciation Month and also just because. It’s nice to receive a gift on your birthday
but it’s especially nice to receive a gift just because someone thought of
you. You can celebrate all month long, with
the help of everyone, you can schedule and plan on gifts and surprises
presented to your clergy every day in October, or each Sunday and mid-week
Service.
Remember it’s the thought that counts, whatever size budget
you are working with, your thoughtfulness and appreciation is appreciated!
Free Download: You can use this worksheet to help with ideas
to express your appreciation, you can have their staff, and spouse or children
help fill out for them.
Download The Clergy Appreciation Worksheet
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