Whether it’s Pastor Appreciation Sunday, or any other day of the year, it’s a good thing to encourage your pastor. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.”
We should be encouraging each other, and that includes encouraging our pastor. These thankful Pastor Appreciation Quotes and Bible verses are here to help you find different ways to express sincere appreciation and gratitude to your pastor.
Why observe Pastor Appreciation Day?
You may be wondering why you would need these thankful Pastor Appreciation quotes and Bible verses. Pastor Appreciation Day is usually celebrated on the second Sunday of October. Clergy Appreciation Month is also observed during the month of October. Established in the 1990s, Pastor Appreciation Day is a wonderful opportunity to encourage pastors and be thankful for their hard work.
A church member may wonder why pastors should have a special day set aside for encouraging them. If pastors’ service is for the Lord, then shouldn’t that be enough? Most pastors would tell you that it is; but just a few words of encouragement to a pastor from others can go a long way.
Pastoral Care Inc. reports that over half of the pastors from mainline denominations in the United States are thinking of quitting the ministry. Pastors potentially deal everyday with unrealistic expectations, intense spiritual battles, difficult church conflicts, and more.
Taking a day or even a few moments to encourage your pastors may make a huge difference in how they feel about their ministry. Pastors invest a lot of time into building into the spiritual life of others, and want to know that they are making a difference with their spiritual guidance.
Hearing from other Christians that they have made a difference in their walks with God can help encourage pastors in their calling.
A common way that Pastor Appreciation Day is observed is to offer a word of appreciation to express gratitude to your pastor. If you are wondering what to write in your message, these thankful pastor appreciation quotes and Bible verses can inspire you.
Many people just focus on the senior pastor during Pastor Appreciation Month; please consider acknowledging other church leaders and pastors on staff, as well as the volunteer leaders.
You might also think about writing notes to a worship leader, pastor’s wife, youth pastor, or anyone else who serves at the church who plays an important role in your life through their faithful service.
Thankful Pastor Appreciation Messages for Cards
These messages are idea starters that help you write your own note or greeting card to your pastor. Take time to personalize a heartfelt pastor appreciation message on the occasion of Clergy Appreciation Day.
A message for a visionary pastor
Pastor, I truly appreciate your heart for our church, and the vision you have for it. Thank you for leading our church into new areas of outreach and ministry. Thank you for dreaming big for our church and being willing to try new things. We are grateful for your faithful leadership.
A message for a pastor who is a Bible scholar
Pastor, we are so thankful for your preaching and teaching. Your insight into God’s Word helps me understand the Bible better. We are grateful for the time you take to study the Word of God, and to be faithful to what it says.
A message for a pastor who prays faithfully
Happy Pastor Appreciation Day! We are so thankful to you, Pastor, for your prayers for our church and our church family. Mark 11:24 says “Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.” Your time in humble prayer blesses our church and blesses us. Thank you for praying for us in our time of need. May God bless you today!
A message for a longtime pastor
Dear Pastor, Thank you for the many years of service here at our church. Your faithfulness over the years to see the good work through that God has called you to, it is a reminder of God’s faithfulness to us.
You have been with us through times of need as well as times of fruitfulness. Thank you for persevering. We pray that God will bless your work here for many years to come. May you have a very happy Clergy Appreciation Day!
A message for a pastor who is also a friend
Pastor, I want to take time on this Pastor Appreciation Day to tell you that I am grateful that you are my pastor. Your service here at church is a blessing. You are welcoming and kind to everyone you meet.
But I also want to thank you for being such a good friend to me. I am happy to call you my pastor and my friend.
Thankful Pastor Appreciation Quotes for Cards
These thankful Pastor Appreciation quotes are from authors and speakers who highlight what it is to be a faithful Christian. After each quote, there’s a suggested paragraph that you could include in your note.
“The message of the gospel speaks loudest when people can see Christ in us.” Jerry Kinard
Pastor, I see the message of the Gospel written all over your life. Thank you for faithfully living out the Gospel in your life each and every day. I am grateful for your example as a role model in our church.
“Character in a saint means the disposition of Jesus Christ persistently manifested.” Oswald Chambers, The Oswald Chambers Devotional Reader: 52 Weekly Themes
Pastor, I am thankful for your consistent walk in Christ. Seeing you deal with everyday problems, as well as difficult times, shows me how you faithfully rely on God as your source of strength. Thank you for that example to follow.
“To be a Christian is to be loved by God, pursued by God, and found by God.” David Platt, Follow Me: A Call to Die. A Call to Live
Dear Pastor, I am so thankful for your eagerness and passion to reach people for Christ. You live out your Christian walk in front of others, and set an example of a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Thank you for sharing that with others for the sake of the kingdom of God.
“The task of the church is to make the invisible Kingdom visible through faithful Christian living and witness-bearing.” J.I. Packer, Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs
Pastor, we see how you live your life each day, in Christian service, with grace, love, kindness, and patience with others. You are a witness to others because of your faithfulness to our Lord. You reflect Christ in what you do. Thank you for sharing the hope of Christ and eternal life, with your everyday life.
Bible Verses for Pastor Appreciation
Some people choose to include a Bible verse in their note to their pastor. After each verse, there is a suggested paragraph you can add to your note.
“To the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:12
Pastor, thank you for walking worthily in your Christian walk. We are so grateful for the way you consistently live out your calling to serve the Lord.
“But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
Dear Pastor, we are grateful for your steadfastness in seeking God’s Kingdom first. We see the sacrifices that you make, the time you give up, the willingness to be a peacemaker in conflict.
Thank you for not pursuing the easiest path. We pray that you will see God’s blessing and provision each day.
“I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 89:1 KJV
Pastor, you are faithful at proclaiming God and His Word. We see your efforts to reach all generations with the Good News of Jesus Christ. May God bless you as you sing of His mercies forever!
“Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2
Dear Pastor, we see you faithfully steward God’s Word to our church congregation and the entire community each day. Thank you for persevering in reaching others with the Gospel.
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.” 1 Timothy 5:17
Pastor, today we honor you as we celebrate Pastor Appreciation Day. We appreciate your spiritual leadership in our church, and especially your “labor in the word and in teaching.” Thank you for being faithful to the Word of the Lord!
Everyone, including pastors, can use Biblical encouragement with these thankful pastor appreciation quotes and Bible verses. Please use these sample words of appreciation as a resource to write inspirational words for your pastor today.
If you liked Thankful Pastor Appreciation Quotes and Bible Verses, you may also like Pray for America.
You also may want to check out this post with additional thankful pastor appreciation quotes on our sister site, Church Ministry Help: Inspirational Words for Pastor Appreciation.
