Four Possible Ministry Appreciation Gifts

Here are four surprising gifts you may not know your minister would appreciate during Ministry appreciation month.  I am not claiming to speak for my fellow ministers.  But, I have a hunch about some things we would really appreciate—things I would appreciate. 

1.  Take the Sermon One Step Further.  Most sermons stop just a little short of saying what the preacher really thinks they ought to say.  Listen closely and you’ll detect the punch that got pulled.  Come find him or her a little bit later and with a slight irritation in your voice say, “Preacher, I saw where you were going in this sermon and thought surely you’d say . . . [insert bold proclamation here].  I’m not sure why you didn’t go there but, I sure hope it wasn’t cause you didn’t think we could hear it.”

2.  “I’m not persuaded but I’m persuadable.”  When ministers have an idea there are always a certain number of people who don’t think it will work and will tell them so.  There’s certain number of people in the congregation who will agree no matter what just because their minister suggested it.  Both responses get frustrating at times.  Try the following, “Pastor, you suggested . . . .  I’m not persuaded yet but, I’m persuadable.  Maybe we could talk about how this would work.”

3.  Offer to Drive.  Ask your minister if you can drive them around the next time they do hospital visits.  If you’re not one who would normally goes into a hospital room just say, “I’m going to sit out here in the waiting room and pray for you while you visit.  Take your time, I’ll be here when you’re done.”

4.  Pray with them.  Find your minister at a quiet time and ask to pray with them.  Pray for their health—physical and spiritual.  Pray for their ministry.  Pray for their family and important relationships.  Ask God to fill them in new ways with the Holy Spirit.        

A minister’s self-esteem is a tricky thing and probably shouldn’t be touched with a ten-foot pole.  Ministers know who think they are good and know who their critics are—even when their critics aren’t critical to their faces.   What most ministers need most is the reminder that the ministry to which they are called still matters.  It is ministry itself that needs appreciation far more than the minister.