Pastor Appreciation Day Gift Ideas from the Heart
Pastor Appreciation Day, or Pastoral Appreciation Day, is this month. We have some great ways that you can celebrate your pastor.
In many places, pastors represent a crucial support pillar for their community. They’re at the center of spiritual guidance. They often support those struggling through difficult times, and organize charitable events.
That kind of dependence can create an enormous amount of pressure. Celebrating this holiday is a wonderful way to honor a pastor who has made a difference in your life and the lives of those around you.
When Is Pastor Appreciation Day?
Pastor Appreciation Day falls on the second Sunday of October every year.
What Is Pastor Appreciation Day?
In 1992, Jerry Frear started Pastor Appreciation Day as Groundhog Day was approaching.
He thought to himself, If groundhogs can have a whole day to themselves, then so can pastors. About 10 years later, Hallmark started making cards for Pastor Day. Today, we celebrate Pastor Appreciation Day both as a day and as a month of celebration and recognition. Many congregations use this as a chance to thank their pastors for their years of service to the church. In some cases, many congregations choose to buy a gift for their pastors.
Make Pastor Appreciation Day Meaningful
Pastor Appreciation Day is a way to honor pastors who give back to their communities. It’s a great way to show your pastor gratitude and work together as a congregation.
This holiday is unique because you have the opportunity to celebrate with a group of people who you may know very well.
Group gifts are often the most meaningful.
Day of the Pastor: Gifts and Activities for the Whole Congregation
You can celebrate your pastor in two ways:
- As an individual
- As a congregation
If your church is very large, it may be easier to celebrate on an individual basis. Your church leaders may also organize events and gifts for your pastor.
Here are a few ways you can honor your pastor as an individual, AND as a congregation:
1. Send a group video Tribute for your pastor
Tributes are group video montages that you can gift to the people you care about on special occasions. Tribute makes it super easy for you to gather friends and collect thank you messages for the recipient.
In fact, 80% of Tribute recipients even cry tears of joy when they watch them. This is an actual stat we track.
Our easy-to-use online tool will email each person in your church to request their recordings. Then, Tribute will compile the videos automatically for you.
Use our video editor to add effects, music and tweak the order to your liking. Then, share your video with the recipient and watch the magic unfold.
Start a Group Tribute for Your Pastor
Send a personal video Tribute
Not able to coordinate a group Tribute for Pastor Appreciation Day? Use Tribute Greetings to send a one-to-one video keepsake to your pastor instead. Tribute gives you tons of beautifully designed cards to choose from, then add your personalized video and send your greeting.
You will even have the opportunity to add a gift card if you’d like to.
Best of all – sending a Tribute greeting is 100% free!
Start a Group Tribute for Your Pastor
Things to say in your Tribute
Not sure what to say in your Tribute recording? Even if you have a great relationship with your pastor, it can be difficult to come up with something to say on the spot. Here are a few ideas to get those gears turning for you:
Encourage your pastor
Call out specific things that your pastor does that you notice and appreciate. Can you think of three?
Talk about a favorite sermon
Is there a particular sermon that stands out to you? Describe the way you felt, and the message that you took from that day.
Talk about the spiritual impact your pastor has had on you
How has your spiritual life improved since getting to know your pastor? Do you pray more often? Are you more gracious with others? This matters a great deal to your pastor, and they’ll be thrilled to hear more about it.
Talk about a time when your pastor gave you a safe space
Was there a time in your life when things were scary, and your church was your haven? Talk about a time when your church or your pastor made you feel safe and full of hope.
2. Add a Donation to Your Pastor Appreciation Day Tribute
Many pastors often take it upon themselves to pay for some of the expenses of the church.
A great way to complement your Tribute is to buy a new set of bibles, books, or stationary for the church. These are expenses a pastor often covers out of their own pocket.
A donation made in honor of your pastor is another good way to celebrate Pastor Appreciation Day.
3. Organize a Church Potluck for Pastor Appreciation Day
A community gathering goes great with a communal Tribute. Organize a gathering with the other members of your congregation. You can even play your pastor’s Tribute at the event!