We should probably ask ChatGPT to explain when, how, and why October became known as “Pastor Appreciation Month” in certain circles. But it’s a thing, and perhaps you or your church already know about it as you visit our site.

I’ll speak from personal experience. I thank God for the Pastors he’s brought into my life during different seasons or moments.

There’s the pastor who befriended my parents and helped them grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.

There’s the pastor who spent time talking about life, sports, dating, music, and movies with me and my high school friends.

There’s the pastor who played basketball with me but also made the Bible come alive like nothing I’d ever heard before.

There’s the pastor who visited my family at the hospital when all three of my children were born, or when my Dad had heart surgery, or when my wife was diagnosed with cancer.

There’s the pastor who called every week during her chemotherapy treatments and prayed with us and for us.

There’s the pastor who asked how I’m doing and listened and cared – it felt like God’s love and “father-ing” me through that pastors.

There’s the pastor who loved his wife and family so well that it made me long for those things in my future.

I guess that’s the thing. It’s easier to understand the motive of “Pastor Appreciation Month” if you’ve had at least one pastor who appreciated you. Invested in you, noticed you, cared for you, and inspired you.

In an ideal world, each one of us would be able to thank at least one pastor for their work, their hearts, their compassion, and their devotion to God.

I fact, maybe you’re thinking of that pastor right now…. and maybe – just maybe, you’ll want to say thank you and appreciate them with us this month. For the next few weeks, we’ll unpack what it means to appreciate pastors WELL and what impact these expressions can have on their faith, their families, and the whole church.

As God intended, Pastors can – and should – be a gift from God! “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding” (Jeremiah 3:15).