Romans 12 Ministries

Resources

50 Ways to Bless Your Pastor

*Adapted from blessyourpastor.org 

The heart of a pastor is to serve their congregation well. 

A day in the life of a pastor is exhausting; with an endless to-do list and constant distractions. Spouses are often put on the back burner and have to endure limited or interrupted date nights. Families are expected to run all the ministries, which means these sacrificial servants are overworked, underpaid, and, very often, underappreciated. 

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. It’s a good time of year to remember their service and sacrifice and to honor them. 

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and adonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

FINANCES

Purpose in your heart, as family, to give to your church. Be faithful as a monthly giver, so that your pastor can earn a liveable wage to provide for their family. As the Lord prompts, consider giving above and beyond to support their family or the needs of the church. Examples may include:

  • Start a ‘Bless Your Pastor and Staff’ offering 
  • Marriage conference or retreat costs 
  • Christian camp fees
  • Back to school fees, clothing or supplies 
  • Children’s college tuition 
  • Mission trips • Lessons or tutoring
  • Family or couple’s vacation or getaway 
  • Pastor or leadership conference, seminar or training 
  • Seminary courses or sabbatical 
  • Student loan debt 
  • Retirement savings
  • Medical expenses

PAY IT FORWARD

Pass along gently used items to your pastor and their family. Do not consider them the repository of your unwanted trash. Consider their needs, and make sure to only pass on items that are in good condition, and well-maintained.
Note: Please be prepared to graciously allow your pastor or staff member to decline anything that you offer. 

FOOD, FELLOWSHIP & FUN 

It can be very challenging for pastors and their families to create genuine relationships. When you offer fellowship with your pastor or provide a meal for them, do so without any expectations. Don’t use the time to complain about the church, ask for advice, or overwhelm them with questions. Get to know them, and their needs. Be a good friend and, most importantly, keep whatever they may share in confidence.

  • Prepare a meal or baked goods for them (ask about favorite meals or certain foods to avoid). 
  • Give them a gift card for restaurants, fast food or coffee shops. 
  • Give them food from your garden, orchard, hunting or fishing trips. 
  • Invite them to your home or a restaurant for a meal.
  •  Invite them to go fishing, sailing, camping, hunting, to the gym, concerts, plays or sporting events. Offer to cover some or all of the costs. 
  • Order them sports, concert or event tickets. 
  • If you have a vacation home, timeshare, recreational vehicle or camping gear, offer to let them use it. 
  • Share frequent flyer miles that can be used for conferences, vacation, mission trips or holiday travel. 
  • Offer them the use of your dependable vehicle, SUV or minivan for a holiday family trip or vacation.

 FREELY SHARE

 Share your skills and time to help with any of the following items:

  • Babysitting 
  • Auto maintenance and repair 
  • Home repairs, maintenance and projects 
  • Decorating, painting and wallpapering 
  • Haircuts and beauty treatments 
  • Medical, dental and chiropractic care
  • Lawn and garden upkeep 
  • Legal, estate and financial services 
  • Tutoring or lessons for children If needed, communicate in advance if there are any out-of-pocket costs the pastor and staff will need to cover (e.g., parts for a car repair or materials for home repair).

PRAYER

The best way to help your pastor and staff is to faithfully and regularly pray for:

Intimacy with God

Marital love and unity

Spiritual protection 

Divine guidance 

Emotional and physical well-being 

Parenting skills

Genuine friendships 

Financial provisions 

Daily wisdom 

Personal encouragement

Helpful mentors 

Effective ministry 

Time management 

Quality study and prayer times 

Helpful training, courses and books 

Leadership skills

SHOW A FONDNESS

  • Let the pastor and staff members know how God is specifically using them to bless, help and teach you to follow God. 
  • Remember their birthdays and anniversaries with a card, gift or social media post. 
  • Show appreciation for their strengths and give grace in their weaknesses.

FREEDOM

Spouses and children almost always feel a heavy burden to perform. They are under a microscope and judged. This creates a fear of authenticity that can be very damaging. Instead of looking at them in judgment, waiting for them to fail…

  • Give their spouses the freedom to be themselves and to find their own niches at the church. 
  • Let their children “be kids,” care about them, and pray for them.