In our last post we talked about 5 Reasons Every Staff Member Should Appreciate the Lead Pastor.
Today, let’s talk about practical ways that we can actually do that…
7 Ways to Show Appreciation to Your Lead Pastor
1. Simply say thank you for what they do.
Most pastors don’t hear these words enough. So send them a card, say it personally or even just send an email saying thanks for who they are and what they do.
2. Thank their family.
Being a pastor’s spouse is about as hard as being a pastor! And so can be being a pastor’s kid! Do something to say thanks to them. Again, something as simple as a card, or go more elaborate and include a gift card for a family activity they can enjoy.
3. Recognize special days for the pastor & their family.
Take time to find out when their birthday’s are, their anniversaries, etc., and recognize these days.
4. Pray for your pastor.
Don’t just say it…do it! Find out what their primary requests are and pray. Follow up and ask how these things are going.
5. Organize people in your ministry (kids, parents, leaders) to provide some sort of recognition for the pastor.
This can be as simple as everyone signing a huge thank you card, or something far more elaborate—use your imagination!
6. Protect your pastor.
They are an obvious target. People talk and criticize in private very easily. Don’t let this happen. Whether you agree with your pastor or not on any given decision or issue, never, never, never undermine or engage in ungodly criticism of your pastor (this is called gossip). Instead, as a leader, you must support them. This does not mean that you must agree…but handle disagreement appropriately. And once a decision has been made or direction has been decided, give your support or get out. Do NOT allow yourself to be sucked into dissension. Knowing you’ve got their back will be a huge encouragement to your pastor!
7. Lead your ministry well.
Your pastor has more on his plate than most people realize. If they know you’ve “got it covered” with solid leadership, it’s a huge blessing to them. That’s not to say that they won’t be involved, won’t give input and won’t keep you accountable. But there’s a big difference between “getting to” and “having to” follow up with your work.
In what ways have you encouraged your lead pastor?
This article originally appeared here.
