Okay, so today I wanna talk about something a little different, something that’s been on my mind lately – showing appreciation to our pastors. It’s called “pastor appreciation preaching,” and I’ve been doing some digging and practicing on this.
First off, I started by thinking about what our pastors actually do. They’re always there, right? Guiding us, giving advice, being a shoulder to cry on. So, I thought, how can I show them some love back? I found out that October is Pastor Appreciation Month, with the second Sunday marked as Pastor Appreciation Day, but honestly, any day is a good day to show appreciation.
I began by jotting down some ideas. I remember reading somewhere that a simple “thank you” can go a long way. So I started there. I wrote down a few thank-you messages, nothing too fancy, just heartfelt stuff. Stuff like, “Pastor, thank you for your guidance,” or “I appreciate your dedication.” I made sure to make a list.
- “Pastor, thank you for always being there.”
- “I really appreciate your support and guidance.”
- “Your words have helped me through some tough times.”
Then, I started practicing saying these messages out loud. It felt a bit weird at first, talking to myself in my room, but I wanted to make sure they sounded genuine when I said them to my pastor. I imagined I was standing in front of the congregation, taking a deep breath, and just letting the words flow. That’s a bit tough for me because I always have a hard time expressing myself.
After practicing a few times, I felt more comfortable. I even added a personal touch to some of the messages, recalling specific instances where my pastor’s words or actions had made a difference in my life. It made the messages feel more real, more me.
Next, I decided to write a short speech. I’ve never done that before so I needed to practice that too. I included some of the thank-you messages and added a few anecdotes. I talked about how the pastor’s sermons had inspired me and how their support had helped me through some tough times. I kept it short and sweet, about five minutes long, because I didn’t want to take up too much time during the service.
Finally, I shared my speech with a friend. I asked them for feedback, and they gave me some helpful suggestions. They pointed out a few parts where I could be more specific, and they helped me trim down some of the parts that were a bit too long-winded. That’s why friends are so important, right?
With my friend’s feedback in mind, I revised my speech. I practiced it a few more times, making sure it flowed well and felt natural. I wanted it to come from the heart, not sound like I was reading from a script.
So, that’s where I am now. I’ve got my speech ready, and I’m planning to share it with my pastor after the service this Sunday. I’m a little nervous, but mostly excited. I hope my words will show my pastor just how much I appreciate everything they do. I practiced a lot and hope it all works out!
And hey, if you’re thinking about showing appreciation to your pastor, go for it! It doesn’t have to be a big speech. A simple thank-you note or a kind word can make a big difference. Let’s show our pastors some love!
