Pastor Appreciation

October is Pastor Appreciation Month and we would like to encourage you to encourage them! Serving as a pastor is often a thankless job. And, while you may find your pastor fulfilling many duties, such as snow shoveler or staff electrician, God charges pastors with feeding the sheep and keeping watch over them.

SHEPHERDING GOD'S SHEEP October is Pastor Appreciation Month and we would like to encourage you to encourage them! Serving as a pastor is often a thankless job. And, while you may find your pastor fulfilling many duties, such as snow shoveler or staff electrician, God charges pastors with feeding the sheep and keeping watch over them (1 Peter 5:1-4, 2 Timothy 4:2). Those are the biblical duties to which they are called. It is easy for pastors to become discouraged. Sometimes, they may find it difficult to stay faithful to their calling. Even Timothy, whom Paul set up as the pastor in Ephesus after years of serving together, needed reminders and encouragement to remain steadfast. Paul wrote 2 Timothy (in part) to admonish Timothy toward that end. For instance: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV). “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:1-2 NIV). Peter also exhorted the elders (the same type of leader as shepherds and overseers) of the Dispersion to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1-4). They serve the sheep as under-shepherds of the great Shepherd.PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH

How can you encourage them? The best way to appreciate your pastor is by strengthening them in their work. A godly pastor, who is faithfully preaching God’s Word, feeding the flock entrusted to them, and keeping watch over them, needs a boost sometimes. How can you encourage your pastor to serve faithfully? Here are a few ideas:

• Supporting Church Leaders

We recommend that you send a card, an email, make a phone call, or even a text to encourage your pastor. If your pastor devotes themselves to what the Bible calls them to, encourage them to stay resolute in those things. If your pastor has wavered in some way, exhort them to remain firm in what Scripture calls them to. Remind them of what Peter said: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” (1 Peter 5:2-4 NIV).

• Praying for Pastors

Pastor Appreciation Month is a good time to commit to pray for our pastors. Pastors need prayer as much as anyone, if not more. They face many external pressures these days. Many are expected to grow the number of attendees of the church they serve. They are expected to entertain or to become the next leadership guru. But, a pastor’s job is not to grow the church. They are not supposed to be like CEOs of a large corporation. A pastor doesn’t need to be up on all the latest leadership techniques circling around the secular business world. A pastor does need to always be ready to preach the Word. They must keep watch over the doctrine coming into the fold of the flock. They must feed and guard the sheep. This is a serious calling because they will be held accountable by God for the job they do (Hebrews 13:17). That is why we encourage you to support your pastor through your prayers. They have the joy-filled job of shepherding God’s sheep, but it is also a job that can be taxing on their hearts as they seek to serve faithfully.

• Gifts for Pastors

Of course, being a gift company, we recommend a small gift to encourage your Church leaders during Pastor Appreciation Month. It can remind them that their congregation loves them, cares for them, and is praying for them. We offer several gifts that may be just the thing to brighten their day. Our Man of God product collection (based on 1 Timothy 6:11) includes a mug, water bottle, pen, keyring, and wall plaque. It will remind pastors to avoid worldly pursuits. Instead, they should “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.” We also suggest our Faithful Servant gift collection (based on 2 Chronicles 15:7) for pastor appreciation gifts. This line features a mug and a keyring. It also includes a desktop cross, a zippered portfolio, a pen, and a bookmark. It serves as a good reminder to stay faithful and strong even when things look bleak. Our gift line includes gifts that feature several different Scriptures, and we also offer our In Christ Alone faith inspiring collection. A nod to the 5 Solas of the Protestant Reformation, this line includes a two-toned brown LuxLeather journal, a gift book, a mug, a water bottle, a pen, keyring, and a bookmark. This collection makes the perfect gift to show appreciation for your pastor this month.