Pastor Appreciation Month is a made-up holiday much like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. It is typically celebrated in October, and the second Sunday in October is technically Clergy Appreciation Day.
And while you might think that Hallmark or Lifeway created the day, it was actually created in 1992 by a guy who went to prison for defrauding investors in his dot-com startup.
Worse holidays have had worse origins.
So, do pastors want to be appreciated? Of course.
Do they expect their churches to celebrate Pastor Appreciation Day or Month? Publicly, they won’t say it, but privately most do.
You see, your pastor can’t say, “You never even gave me a Starbucks Gift card!” But many a pastor have thought it.
Why don’t they say it, and why do they feel this way?
Pastors can never ever come across as unappreciative. It’s the quickest way out of a job.
But why do pastors feel that way for a silly made-up holiday created by an ex-con?
Because pastoring is lonely, and even though pastors work for the Lord, they still hope that people appreciate their hard work and sacrifice.
The solution here is simple…churches and church members, show your pastor some love.
Give them that coffee card.
Pay for their family to go out to eat.
Corporately, do something for them.
Give them a bonus.
Send the pastor and spouse away for a weekend.
Buy them a sweet leather computer bag.
Heck, buy them a computer. They are probably using an old junk one that they’ve had since seminary.
Honestly, it doesn’t have to be October, but showing them appreciation is biblical.
1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
And if you ever complain about October being a time to do it, remember that it is no more obtuse to appreciate your pastor in October than it is to give gifts to one another on December 25th.
Show your pastor some love before they feel unappreciated and go somewhere where they feel loved.
Thanks for reading,
Gordon
