Ideas for Ministry Appreciation Month
Besides preparing sermons and preaching, pastors share many milestones with their congregations. They can be one of the first by your side when you are facing a surgery or sickness, and give you a shoulder to cry on when you are going through a trial or tragedy. Pastor Appreciation Month is in October. There are many ways a congregation can recognize its leader for Pastor Appreciation Month.
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"Joy Jars"
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Fill a "Joy Jar." Give members of the congregation slips of paper one which they can write and thank their pastor on paper for something he has done for them in the past. Do this without letting your pastor know what you are doing. Put all notes in a jar and present it to your pastor during the month of October. This project works best when the congregation is not too big.
Collect Money
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Take up a collection for something special. Enlist your pastor's spouse or children to help you find out what she would like to have. Elect someone to accept the money. Notify the congregation through a note or e-mail of what you plan to buy for your pastor, who to give the offering to and the due date for final donations.
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Vacation
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Send your pastor on a short vacation. Almost every pastor can use a couple days away, even if spent close to home. A larger church with a larger budget can opt to send the pastor and spouse on a longer trip. Decide where you want to send them, take up a collection and purchase hotel rooms and other things pertaining to the trip. Don't forget to include spending money.
Gift Certificates
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Buy a gift certificate to her favorite clothing store, restaurant or golf course. Look for a dinner theater that is nearby. Purchase certificates to the local zoo. If you do not know what she likes, purchasing a general gift certificate to a department store would show your thanks and appreciation as well.
Commemorative Plaques
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Give your pastor an appreciation plaque. Make sure it has written on it "Pastor Appreciation" and include the month and year. Include his name. Think of something short but special to engrave on it. Check out some places online that sell plaques or go to your local trophy or award store and see what they have in stock.
Gift Basket
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Give her a gift basket full of her favorites snacks and soft drinks. Include some popcorn and a Christian movie for her and her family to enjoy together. Add a CD of favorite music to finish off the basket.
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References
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