These ideas appear first on the website: 15 Unique Pastor Appreciation Ideas (2024) – God’s fingerprints (godsfingerprints.co)
1. Write Them an Encouraging Card
There’s nothing quite like a handwritten card. If you want to show how much your pastor means to you, a personal card is one of the best ways you can honor them. Plus, it doesn’t have to cost you anything! If you want to take it to the next level, encourage every family from your congregation to give your pastor a card on a specific day like Pastor Appreciation Day, Christmas, or your pastor’s birthday.
2. Get the Kids to Create “Thank You” Art Projects
Another unique way to show your pastor some appreciation is by gifting them with handmade art. There’s nothing more heartwarming than a gift from a child. Sunday school teachers are always on the lookout for creative ideas to get the little ones involved. Partner up with your Sunday school teacher (or a few like-minded parents) to get the kids to create some meaningful art for your pastor.
3. Create a Congregational “Thank You” Video
This is a unique way to show appreciation as a congregation. With the endless video-making apps today, it’s easier than ever to create a collaborative “thank you” video for your pastor. This could be a great way to honor your leaders. Ask your church members to send you a quick video on their smartphones. Ask them to share a few words of appreciation. Then… surprise your pastor with an appreciative video from your congregation on a Sunday morning. They’ll love it.
4. Help Them With Community Outreach
Pastors often wear a dozen different hats. From preaching to sermon prep, to administrative duties, budgeting, event planning, missions, teaching, training, counseling, and more… They do just about everything in the church. They’re usually also involved in community outreach. One of the best ways you can show appreciation to your leaders is by offering to help them with outreach. Whether that’s feeding the homeless, sharing Christ on the streets, or visiting the sick, one of the best ways to honor your pastor is to give your time—ministering side-by-side with them.
5. Give Them a “Day Off” One Sunday
If you want to give your pastor a meaningful gift then one of the best ways is to give them some time. Pastors typically work every Sunday without a break for years on end. If you want to make their day, then give them a day off. Simply hire a guest preacher for the week or as an associate pastor or elder to fill in for them one Sunday. Your pastor will feel rested and refreshed to come back next week, and most importantly, they’ll feel honored.
6. Drop Off a Dessert
Not all pastor appreciation ideas have to be expensive. One of the simplest ways you could show them some appreciation is with a tasty treat. Everyone loves a homemade cake or apple pie. Taking the time to make something delicious for your pastor displays the care and effort that a store-bought gift just can’t offer.
7. Invite Them Over for a Home-Cooked Meal
If you want to take your delicious gift to the next level, why not invite your pastor and his family over to your home for a home-cooked meal? This is another budget-friendly way you can genuinely honor your pastor and his family. Breaking bread with fellow brothers and sisters in the faith is a great way to create meaningful connections and show the love of Christ.
Don’t forget your pastor’s wife!
1. Publicly Honor Your Pastor’s Wife
A way to honor your pastor’s wife is by publicly recognizing and honoring them in front of your church body. There are a few ways you could do this. You could either get people to come up to the microphone one by one to share a word of encouragement. Or, you could create a video for them if your congregation has a good video editor. And… if you have other creatives in your church body, offering artwork, a song, or another creative gift could be a meaningful way to honor your pastor’s wife.
2. Babysit for Their Date Night
If there’s one thing that pastors’ wives could use more of… it’s date nights. Pastors are typically being pulled at all hours of the day, which often means ducking out of the house to take a call or meeting up with a church member who needs some support even into the evening. It can be difficult for pastors to prioritize a romantic evening when they’re being called on to minister at all times. One of the best ways you could treat your pastor’s wife is by offering to babysit the kids so they can go on a date night with their husband.