“give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord.”

I Thessalonians 5:12-13

 

Each October, many churches designate a day to show appreciation to their pastor and church ministerial staff member. 

October is quickly passing. If your church hasn’t expressed appreciation, it’s not too late. There are dozens of personal ways your church (or you) can express thanks and love to the leader God gave your church.

 

Here’s an excerpt of ideas from my book, Fresh Ideas (B&H Publishing) with some ideas I think you’ll enjoy.

One Fishing Lure

Determine one small item your pastor enjoys, such as M&Ms, fishing lures, popcorn, coffee, or golf balls. Ask each church member, including youth and children, to bring one of that item on Pastor Appreciation Sunday. For example, each family member will bring one bag, any size, of peanut M&Ms. Bring extras for guests and forgetful members. As your church thanks God for your pastor on Sunday, each member can walk to the front and place their token of love in a large basket. 

 

The Church Building & the Church

Present your pastor with a beautifully framed photo or painting of the church building. Use an extra wide matting and ask all church members to sign the mat before adding glass.

 

E-Pounding

Distribute your minister’s e-mail address to all church or class members, asking each one to send an e-mail note, describing something specific that they appreciate about their pastor. E-mails should be sent one specific day or week, creating an e-pounding of blessings!

 

Text-Pounding

Use the same basic idea, but ask each member to send a text-message to the pastor or staff member. 

 

Puzzle Gift

Order a jigsaw puzzle with a photo of your church family or church building.  Internet puzzle companies make 100 or 1000 piece puzzles from a photo.

 

Love Our Pastor

Take out a full-page ad in your local newspaper, featuring a photo of your pastor with each church member’s signature around it.  Include a declaration of your church’s love and appreciation for your pastor.

 

Lotsa Notes

Give each church member a stamped envelope that is pre-addressed to your minister’s home. Ask them to send a very specific, personal note of appreciation this week.

 

Make It a Month

As a church, deacon body, ladies group, choir or youth group, make October a true month of appreciation for your pastor. Ask individual volunteers from the group to write their name on one day of an October calendar. On the assigned day, that person expresses appreciation to the pastor in a unique way. Each day will be different. The pastor might receive a letter or gift. It could be a meal, a shoeshine or a “thank you” balloon bouquet. After a whole month of pleasant surprises, won’t your pastor feel appreciated? And won’t God be honored by your acts of love for His servant?

 

While You Were Out

Hanover Baptist in Indiana surprised their pastor with a gorgeous new home office. With his wife’s input, of course, they worked with a decorator and volunteers to turn a spare room into a home office while the pastor was out of town. They did paint, wallpaper, window coverings, shelves, desk, chair, computer, and decorator items.

 

Gift of Prayer

Give your pastor the gift of prayer. Create a chart, and allow members to choose a specific time that they will commit to pray weekly for the pastor this next year.  They do not need to come to a specific place—just pray on their way to work or pray each Tuesday at 2 PM. The project could be done by a deacon group, choir, class or the entire church. Present the prayer promise chart to the pastor as a gift. Then remember to pray!  

 

A Class Idea

All the Sunday School classes of the church could pool their resources to purchase a full set of Bible commentaries. Every individual class could sign inside one of the books, then present it as a gift from their class.

 

Gift from Deacons

Each deacon purchases a gift certificate to a restaurant, carwash, coffee shop, or book store. He writes a personal note on the back, then all coupons are placed inside a card for the pastor.

 

Gift from Kids

Wouldn’t it be fun for every child at church to create a signed bookmark for their pastor or children’s pastor, using cardstock paper, crayons or markers?  Laminate the bookmarks, and then call all the children forward at the end of worship to put their bookmarks in a basket for the pastor.

 

Gift from Youth

Create huge poster board hearts and a giant love note for everyone to read. Place them on stakes in your pastor’s front yard during pastor appreciation day. You could add balloons, but not toilet paper.

 

More Ideas for a Gift from the Church

Restaurant certificates, magazine subscription, tires, Bible software, a trip, a book, theatre or sports tickets, flowers for his wife, babysitting coupons, a new car, a grandfather clock, a suit for pastor and a dress for his wife, a new car, a new desk, home landscaping. 

 

Ideas for Individual Members to Honor the Pastor

Your church demonstrates appreciation, but how can you, as an individual church member, honor and encourage your ministers? A few fresh ideas:

 

Say It

Write your minister an encouraging note the first day of every month this year. Tell him how last Sunday’s sermon impacted your week. Take him to lunch and tell him how much you appreciate him as your pastor.

 

Stay Awake In Church

Sit near the front during worship every Sunday during Pastor Appreciation Month. Actively listen during the sermon. Make eye contact. Nod your head. Take notes. Say “amen” at an appropriate time.

 

May I Borrow Your Car?

As a special surprise during Minister Appreciation Week, borrow your pastor’s car and have it detailed, oiled and lubed, washed and gassed.

 

Brag about Him

Brag about your pastor every chance you get - and not just at church. Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper during Minister Appreciation Month to compliment your minister. Introduce him to your friends and work associates.

 

“Pastor”

Show respect by calling him “pastor.”

 

Personalized T

During Minister Appreciation Week, present him a “Best Pastor in Madison” t-shirt, substituting your town’s name.

 

Me First

Be the first church member to volunteer for something. Accompany your pastor on ministry visits. Show up early for church and help. Stay late and help. Faithfully and joyfully use your spiritual gifts within the church body.

 

Take Care

During Minister Appreciation Week, anonymously mow and edge your pastor’s lawn. Provide a generous book allowance for him in your church budget. Be sure that he’s paid an appropriate salary. If he has houseguests coming again, deliver a great casserole. Exempt clergy from bringing dishes to pitch-in dinners.

 

Love His Family

Do something special for your pastor’s wife. Help pay for his teens to attend the church’s youth retreat. Babysit his kids for free during a wedding or funeral. Include his family in your holiday celebration. Help his children apply for college scholarships. Deliver a Thanksgiving turkey to his house.

 

Quit Complaining.

Quit complaining. Quit complaining. Quit complaining. 

———-

Excerpts from Fresh Ideas–1000 Ways to Grow a Thriving & Energetic Church, B&H Publishing, 2007.

 

Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry is featured in a two-page spread in B&H Publishing Group’s new Ministry Resource Catalog! 

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Ladies Retreat Idea:

The Whitewater Association’s women’s retreat today was such fun! I enjoyed facilitating a packed classroom of pastor wives, and encouraging them in their ministries.  I also had the privilege of leading a class about women’s ministry, and had a great group of women in that class, too. 

Their retreat theme was “Tree of Life” using these Scriptures:

First, the true wisdom “is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her” (Proverbs 3:18).

That true wisdom can be none other than Christ (I Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:3).

One lady created a beautiful wall-sized tree visual with the Scripture and theme, and breakout classes centered around wisdom from God. 

One thing I especially enjoyed was the relaxed schedule. Though they had plenty of group time and breakout classes and music and testimonies, the overall time felt calm and very relaxed.  Fun retreat!

No matter your age, there is a younger woman in your church that God would have you mentor. 

I love encouraging women on this topic, and enjoyed leading a retreat on the subject.  Here’s one of the handouts.  Take a look at these simple tips to get started:

 

A Few Small Hints for a

 

 

 

Mentor

 

3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-6

11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 1 Timothy 3:11

 

Do it.  Mentor. Be mentored. Set an example for others by mentoring.

Who will you mentor as a Christian woman? _______________________________________________________________________

Informal or informal. Make a plan.________________________________

First:

1      Be reverent in the way YOU live…

1      Not slanderers

1      Worthy of respect

      1    Teach what is good.

Then:   

Spend at least a few minutes together every week.

             Can only teach if you spend time. When? ___________________

             Listen carefully to her story.        

Use Titus 2:3-6 as a checklist guide after each meeting together: Encourage her…

1     To love her husband. Teach by example and encouragement

1     To love her children. Learn her children’s names. Be there when it counts.

1     To be self-controlled. Model self-control in difficult areas: Spending, eating, time management, priorities, temper, chocolate.

1     To be pure. Modesty. Motives. Priorities

1     To be busy at home. Not busybodies

1     To be kind

1     To be subject to her husband

 

Be approachable.

Speak well of her.

Introduce her to your friends.

Sit by her occasionally at church…

Remember the pig. (Proverbs 11:22)

Love her in spite of her imperfections.

Invite her to your home at least once.

Occasionally write a Scripture for her.

Help her discover and use her spiritual gifts.

Occasionally invite her out for coffee or lunch.

Recommend great Christian books you enjoy.

Include her in ministry with you when possible.

Set an example of joyful service in the church.

Put her birthday and anniversary on your calendar.

Pray for her daily. How can I pray for you? How has God been working in your life this week?

Always pray aloud for her. Bible study? Read same Christian book? Chats?

Set a great example for younger women in every area of life–body language, dress, attitude.

 

If you are a leader in your church, here’s a friendly reminder:  October’s coming. 

How will you plan to lead your church to honor the pastor God has give you? 

“…give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord.”

I Thessalonians 5:12-13

Click here to read an excerpt from Fresh Ideas (B&H 07), with a few ideas that might inspire you and help encourage the pastor(s) God has given your church. Keep on shining!

Pastor Appreciation Ideas

Got more ideas for Pastor Appreciation? Click “comments” below and share them.

We enjoyed watching a screening up the upcoming moving, FireProof, last night. 

It’s all about a troubled marriage and the difference Christ can make.  Here’s a great idea that B&H is doing - Throughout the movie, the main character is following a “Love Dare” - a notebook his dad gave him to help him re-learn how to love his wife.  B&H is publishing a “Love-Dare” book, with a 40-day instruction plan of things to do, Scriptures and journal space to help a person love his or her spouse anew.  Isn’t that a great idea?!

Today is Steve and my 37th wedding anniversary!  I’m so very thankful to God for my wonderful husband. Happy anniversary, honey.

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ARTICLES:

Articles published this week in:

Deacon Magazine (Fall 08 issue) - Our regular He Said/She Said column, with ideas for deacon wives titled “Service with a Smile.”

Let’s Worship Magazine (Fall 08 issue) - a fun article, “Drive-Through Worship,” about offering a community-wide outdoor nativity scene as a witness.

Check out this article from the Florida Baptist Witness about the pastor/wives and deacon & wives retreat we’ll get to help with in Florida this fall:

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/9131.article

 

 

 

Isn’t this a fun theme? At last week’s deacon wives conference in Ridgecrest North Carolina, we used “No Miniblinds in a Fishbowl” as a theme. One breakout class was titled “swimming lessons” - with tips about how to minister to church members in crisis. 

Steve used a fishing theme with the deacons, too:  “What’s In Your Tacklebox?”  They had an excellent challenge to keep evangelism at the forefront of ministry - “Wishing I was fishing!”

As we head off for vacation time in Colorado, Steve and our son, Tylor, will be doing lots of fishing.  They’ll spend every day in rubber boots in the middle of the Crystal River, fly fishing and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation and some great father-son time.  And I’ll be sitting on a rock surrounded by beautiful wildflowers next to the Crystal River, working on my laptop on a manuscript for a book for pastor wives.

Pray for great weather and great fishing. 

Pray for those wonderful deacon and deacon wives we enjoyed at Ridgecrest last week.

And pray for me as I write — for God’s wisdom and inspiration. It’s going to be a fun vacation! 

Psalm 37:37a
“Watch the blameless and observe the upright…”

Marriage matters…

Our daughter, Autumn, is engaged to be married to Yale Wall!  Marriage matters.

Aunt June and Uncle Ferris celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary last week.  Marriage matters.

Steve and I will celebrate 37 years of marriage this month.

Marriage matters.

I just spent a week teaching the Deacon Wives track for Ridgecrest’s Evangelism/Discipleship week. Each of those women in the class spent the entire week learning how they can serve alongside their husbands. As I observed their commitment and excitement about serving God AND encouraging their husbands, I was reminded again…marriage matters.

Exciting days area ahead for Autumn and Yale.

And June and Ferris.

And Steve and I.

And all those deacons and wives. 

I’m so thankful that God gave me the gift of marriage to my husband. 

Proverbs 5:18
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

 

Okay, okay. It’s not really that fresh.  But it’s a huge key to accomplishing a great feat–such as growing a church. Or preparing a luncheon for 1,500 pastor’s wives.

INVOLVING PEOPLE!

Why involve people? 3 reasons: 

1) when they’re involved, they take ownership

2) when they’re involved, they share in the blessing

3) when others are involved, the task becomes more of a joy than a burden

Here’s my great example:  The Ministers Wives Luncheon for the Southern Baptist Convention.  We’d approached the decorating task for the event with fear and trembling! Can you imagine a ballroom with 1,500 seats? Many tales of previous years’ all-night decorating exhaustion prompted me to invite eight really quality ministers’ wives in Indiana to help on a planning team. Each of those women recruited ten or twelve other ministers wives to help them decorate tables for 220 women.  A few other volunteers joined us, and with over 100 workers, we decorated that room in less than two hours!

The luncheon was a great encouragement for all those ministers wives from across the nation. Dr. Gary Chapman brought a great message of encouragement, and it was worth the effort.

Oh, it took lots of pre-planning and organizing, and this same share-the-work/share-the-blessing plan was used in many other areas of the event, and what a delightful accomplishment we all felt! As an added bonus, many made new friends and enjoyed great fellowship as we labored together.  Leaders– Don’t try to do it all yourself.  Share the blessing!  

 ”When the leaders lead…when the people volunteer, praise the Lord.” Judges 5:2

 

 

 

 

It was a wet Saturday in Indiana last week! After many months of planning, many of the CrossOver Evangelistic events planned in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention were either post-poned, drenched, or relocated inside.  As much of our state was enduring horrific flooding, God continued to work through the efforts of hundreds of Christians from across the country who came to help with Crossover.

Here’s one idea that I loved:

Hull’s Grove Baptist Church in Vale, N.C. brought anvils and hammers and horseshoes all the way to Indy.  Wearing ten-gallon cowboy hats, their crew hammered out personalized horseshoes for hundreds of children at Hope Community Church and Eastside Community Church’s block parties.

The horseshoes had “John 3:16″ printed on them, and each child’s name was chiseled across the top.  As the cowboys chatted with kids and parents, they shared about God’s love and plan of salvation. 

Here’s what I really like about their gift:

- it’s personal

- kids will never throw it away

- it opens a door for talking personally about God

How unique! 

 

 

I just got an e-mail from a long-lost friend from decades ago.  What a sweet note of encouragement!

Dear Diana, I’m sure you don’t remember me, but I was a member of First Baptist Church, Humble during the time you and Steve pastored. Steve conducted my wedding service in 1991.                                                                                                

I just wanted to congratulate you on your success as an author. The outreach task force at our small church in Tyler has been enthusiastically using your Fresh Ideas book to revitalize our congregation, and some of the suggestions are truly inspired. I was so delighted to see that you were the author.

Please give Steve my best. I have some fond memories of the time you were at First, Humble, and pray for you that God will bless your ministries and clearly light the path He has chosen for you to follow.

In Him,

Janet Mackey

I had an elderly friend with a life-long habit.  Every day of her life, she wrote an encouragement to one person.  Not four. Not two. One. Every day.

Sometimes it would be a friend or relative. It could be someone who was baptized last week at church or someone who just graduated or got married. If she was out of ideas of who to write one day, she’d just drop a note of encouragement to someone listed in the church directory or to a neighbor. She wrote notes to her hair stylist, her town council member, her bag boy at the grocery store. She would promise to pray for them, and God used her consistent ministry of encouragement.

And people were encouraged.  Looking for a simple way to minister in God’s name? Everyone needs a word of encouragement! It’s better than an apple…

“Encourage one another…” 1 Thessalonians 4:11