Pastor Appreciation

   Our parish is working on a list of possible ways to show appreciation to one's pastor. We aren't looking to do all of these things, rather to create a list of possibilities. What would you add?

Compensation Package:

For younger clergy - offer to put money towards student loan payments

For older clergy - offer to put more money into their retirement account

Generous Continuing Education allowance - especially if they are pursing specific educational goals. 

Compensation package that reflect education of pastor as well as years of service. The annual conference encourage additional compensation for those with advanced degrees in ministry.

Extra personal days

Paying a fair salary

Offer a membership to the YMCA for the family. 

Non-Compensation Package:

Notes of thanks and appreciation, both from individuals and in the form of a card shower.

Acknowledge when your pastor goes out of his/ her way to do something

Deal with parsonage concerns in a timely fashion. Strive to make the parsonage the best possible living situation.

Gift certificates to go out to dinner or engage in relaxing activities 

Staff appreciation dinner at least once a year

Offer to give the pastor an extra weekend or two off a year from preaching/ leading worship. 

Encourage new pastors to repaint the parish office or re-arrange the space to make it their own. This could also possibly include getting new furniture. 

Offer to cook and deliver one dinner a week during Advent and Lent, which are particularly hectic times of the year. 

Held accountable for taking Sabbath. Remember all Pastor/Staff Relations Committees shall encourage their pastors to take a minimum of one day off per week.

Offer birthday, time around Christmas, and time after Easter as days off (non-vacation days)

Get to know pastor’s primary love language (Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages) and communicate appreciation in that way.

Remember:

Pastor’s Birthday

Pastor’s Anniversary

Pastor Appreciation Month (October)