Ways Children Can Honor a Pastor
When children honor their pastor, it not only benefits the pastor, but also teaches the children how to express appreciation to others. Clergy Appreciation Month has been celebrated since 1994, when Focus on the Family encouraged congregations to honor their pastors in tangible ways during the month of October. Money trees and gift certificates are always appreciated, but a special craft or performance offered by children will be cherished as a unique and thoughtful gift.
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"Handy" Gifts
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Trace the hands of the children in your church. Use these images to design a quilt, banner or collage. Make it more personal by asking each child to sign his hand print. When presenting the gift to your pastor, ask the children to join hands, forming a prayer circle around the pastor. For years to come, the gift will remind your pastor of this special moment.
"Signature" Gifts
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Help the children write letters to your pastor’s favorite author, musician or speaker, requesting an autographed book, CD or photo. The letter should first include information about the writer like, “I am in the third grade and attend Riverview Church,” followed by the statement that the pastor is a big fan. Conclude the letter with a personal note about the pastor like, “My pastor makes me laugh when he tries to hit the high notes on the hymns.” Send the mass of letters in one envelope to the celebrity.
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"Pound" the Preacher
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In a good old-fashioned "pounding," parishioners offered a pound of flour, rice, coffee and other staples for their pastor’s pantry. The children can organize a food drive for your pastor’s favorite community food bank. Publicize the drive throughout your town, mentioning that this "pounding" is honoring your pastor. Help the children memorize Bible verses about feeding the hungry and acts of kindness so they can quote a verse as they carry the items to the front of the church.
“Fruitful” Notes of Appreciation
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The Christian lifestyle is described as having the “fruits of the Spirit” in the book of Galatians: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Brainstorm with a Sunday School class for instances when they remember your pastor exhibiting each of these traits. Present a basket of nine types of fruit to the pastor at a banquet or during a worship service. During the presentation, a child puts a fruit in the basket as another child reads the notes prepared for each fruit of the Spirit.
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