Ten Ways to Honor Your Minister

October is Minister Appreciation Month, an observance than transcends denominations to honor men and women who give their lives to vocational Christian service through local churches. It is a time to honor the contributions of all vocational ministers serving in local churches, not just senior pastors. 
  
Most churches designate a Sunday during October to acknowledge – Frequently this includes public recognition during a worship service. Oftentimes a gift is presented to each minister in behalf of the congregation as a token of appreciation for the contributions the minister makes day in and day out. Such recognitions are a good first step, but there are many other ways for church members to express appreciation to their ministers. 
  
Consider some additional possibilities. 
  
– Words of appreciation are valuable gifts. They provide part of the fuel that keeps ministers working. Yes, ministers first of all serve God, but God leads them to a particular congregation. And, of course, the ministers’ goal is to be faithful to the call, not to be “men pleasers.” But none of that detracts from the value of words of appreciation. 
  
Such expressions help ministers know they are succeeding, at least in part. They affirm that their work is valued and that they are making a difference for God in the lives of those in the congregation. Words of appreciation also provide a perspective through which to filter other kinds of communication ministers receive from time to time. 
  
Ministers store up expressions of appreciation as squirrels store up acorns to help them through the barren times of the year. Never underestimate the value of your expressions of appreciation. 
  
– Spend time with your minister. Invite him or her to lunch. Ask him or her to take time out for a Coke or coffee break. Invite his or her family to a social event. Make sure your minister and his or her family are included in activities. Sit with one of your ministers at Wednesday night suppers or other church activities. Make sure the minister and his or her family are not left alone. Make sure they don’t feel isolated from others in the church.
  
When members spend time with their ministers, when they include the ministers in activities, then the ministers know they are accepted and appreciated. 
  
– Pray for your ministers and let the ministers know you are praying for them. It is impossible to pray for every person we care about, for every circumstance of life, for God’s work around the world in every prayer. That is why a prayer guide or notebook is important. Make sure your ministers are on your prayer guide so you are able to pray for them by name on a regular basis. 
  
And tell your ministers you are praying for them. Knowing that people are praying for you seems to add special strength, special power to one’s service. 
  
– Enable ministers to enjoy some family time. Studies indicate the typical work schedule for ministers exceeds 60 hours a week. Spouses of ministers also generally work outside the home just like in other families. That does not leave a lot of time for family life. Church demands also work against family time being a priority for ministers. 
  
Enabling ministers to enjoy family time communicates care and concern whether it is coming from individuals or through church policies. 
  
– Acknowledge the leadership role of ministers. Ministers are not “just another church member.” They are catalysts used by God in local churches to accomplish His will. It used to be said that the minister was to “equip the saints and the saints were to do the work of the church.” Later it was realized that such an understanding only justified inaction. Ministers could argue they provided the training and it was the church members’ fault when nothing happened. 
  
Equipping the saints is still an important task of ministry, but ministers in local churches are leaders. They are catalysts for action. Churches that recognize the leadership role of their ministers avoid of lot of arguing and elbowing over leadership.
 
– Support the work of your ministers. Ministers are not hired hands to “be religious” for the congregation. They are leaders helping the congregation do the work of the Lord. Members must work alongside the ministers to accomplish those things the Lord has placed before the congregation. 
  
Stories abound about churches that agree to a task, but the vote is approved for the ministers to do something, not a commitment from church members to work alongside them in accomplishing the task. Giving permission is not support. Working alongside ministers is. 
  
– Talk privately about disagreements. Disagreements are inevitable in every relationship, including relationships with ministers. When disagreements arise, talk to the minister directly. And talk to the minister privately. Publicizing disagreements does not solve problems. Talking to others about disagreements with a minister only increases the problem. In most instances, disagreements can be worked through in private conversation or with the help of a mediator. Sometimes Christians just have to conclude their disagreements will not break the bond of Christian fellowship in the local church. 
  
– Do not distract the minister from a ministry opportunity. Sad are the stories of a minister who receives cruel and ugly messages immediately before a service. An angry church member complains about what happened in Sunday School. A member waits until “the next time I see that minister” to deliver a message about something he or she dislikes. Someone angry with the minister berates the minister right before the church service starts. Then the minister is supposed to lead the service — a worship service, a funeral, whatever — as if nothing has happened.
  
Distracting the minister immediately before a ministry opportunity is one of the surest ways to sabotage his or her usefulness to God in that situation. It is as if the person distracting the minister wants the minister to fail. There is no appreciation for the minister in such actions.
  
– Be a friend. God made humankind for relationships — relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ and relationships with one another. Ministers need friends just like everyone else. Be a friend to your minister. When you are a friend, your appreciation will show through your actions and attitudes all year long, not just on special occasions like Minister Appreciation Month.