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SPECIAL EVENTS
Although the Sunday morning service is the main focus of the
celebration on Pastor Appreciation Sunday, many churches will
want to add other expressions of appreciation for those who have
answered God's call to ministry. Appreciation Week. To build excitement, plan a special
event every day of the week leading up to the celebration
Sunday. Each day during the week a special expression of
appreciation could be presented to the pastor and his/her
family. Monday—Deliver a complete meal to those honored. Tuesday—Present a bouquet of flowers to the female
spouse. Wednesday—Prepare homemade candy for the family. Thursday—Deliver a fruit basket or a giant bag of
specialty popcorn for the entire family to enjoy. Friday—Phone in an order for delivered pizza and soft
drinks for the family (and be sure to prepay the bill!). Saturday—Drop off cookies, cakes, and cards throughout the day. Youth Appreciation Pizza Party. Arrange for a pizza party at the church fellowship hall or at a local pizza parlor. This will be a fun time for the youth of the church. It also provides a time for them to tell their spiritual leaders thank you and that they are loved.Ladies Appreciation Tea. This is an easy event to sponsor. Appoint someone to arrange for a tea and to create a lovely setting to convey appreciation to women in vocational ministry. Present a gift to these ladies that will remind them during the years ahead of the deep affection others have toward them. Invite younger women to hear testimonies of women in ministry. Men's Appreciation Steak Dinner. The steak dinner could be a cookout or a meal at a local restaurant. Teenage boys should be invited also. During a devotional time, challenge attendees to consider God's call for them to a ministry career. Family Festival Night. Instead of three separate meal functions, it might work best for your church to hold a single meal and appreciation night for ministry personnel. Following the meal, different age groups could "roast the pastor," telling humorous remembrances, as well as expressing appreciation through poems, skits, and testimonies. Family Prayer for the Pastor. Each family in the church can be asked to set aside a time during the week leading up to Pastor Appreciation Sunday to pray for their ministers. This is a good time to explain to children the important role that the ministry fills. Talk about the responsibilities, the privileges, the schedule, and the pressure that is placed on ministry families. This will increase understanding and respect for the church's spiritual leaders. Provide each family in your church with a prayer request calendar or list. Sunday School. Introduce the pastor to each Sunday school class in your church. Invite group members to gather around him or her for prayers of thanksgiving and blessing. Sunday Evening Reception. Some churches may not be able to sponsor all the suggested events. Some may simply find it best to plan a reception after the Sunday evening service. Make this a time to express appreciation and to enjoy refreshments and fellowship. The event will probably be informal and may or may not involve a detailed program and entertainment. This might be a great time to premiere a video of church members telling a favorite story about the pastor or saying thanks for his/her ministry. Sunday Fellowship Meals. Following the morning service, consider an appreciation dinner for the pastor and his family in the church fellowship hall or some other appropriate location. Ask each family to bring food to share.
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