By Deb del Villar
September gave us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the gift and influence of grandparents. What a blessing it was to see pastors recognize the important role grandparents play in the spiritual lives of their families.
Now, we have the opportunity and privilege to recognize and appreciate them this month. When grandparents honor, pray for, encourage, and serve their pastors, they are not only blessing their church leaders. They are modeling a biblical way of living for the next generation.
Why Pastor Appreciation Matters
Since 1994 October is known as Clergy or Pastor Appreciation month. Focus on the Family was the ministry that started this movement to reflect on the vital role that pastors play in our churches as well as our communities.
Pastor Appreciation Month is a wonderful opportunity for grandparents to honor the pastors who faithfully serve their churches while teaching the next generation what it means to love, serve, encourage, and pray for church leaders. When grandchildren see their grandparents speak words of encouragement, serve others, participate in worship, and faithfully pray for their pastor, they are learning that honoring the church is part of living out their faith.
There is so much we can celebrate, honor and affirm. Some things that come to my mind are their dedication, guidance, and spiritual leadership shown through their relentless effort and faithful commitment to their flocks. As shepherds they are constantly meeting the needs of their flock. That would be enough reason to celebrate them but there is even a more compelling reason. Scripture tells us that we are to honor, encourage, pray, support, and follow them.
Lead by God’s Word
Honor Those Who Serve the Church
As grandparents who seek to lead by God’s Word, let’s look at what Scripture has to say about honoring and supporting our pastors. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 tells us to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Timothy 5:17 adds to let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. Scripture calls us to respect our leaders, esteem them in love, and give honor where honor is due.
Pray for Your Pastor
We need to encourage and uphold them in prayer for the hard work of shepherding. Acts 20:28 gives us a glimpse into the tremendous responsibility they have. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Additionally, Hebrews 13:17 tells us to obey our leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over our souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. As members of the flock, we can support our pastors as they faithfully teach God’s Word. We can listen with humble hearts, respond to biblical truth, and encourage them as they faithfully shepherd the church.
Key thought: Scripture calls us to honor, encourage, pray for, and support our pastors.
Lead by Your Words
What Do Your Grandchildren Hear You Say?
We are called to not only know God’s Word but to live by it. Titus 2:7-8 encourages us to show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. As you think of your words specifically in regard to your pastor, what do your grandchildren hear? Do they hear you praying faithfully for the pastor and his family or do they hear complaining? Do they hear words of affirmation or gossip? Are your words uplifting and edifying or corrosive and tearing down?
Use Your Words to Build Up
Our grandchildren are listening. May the words they hear from us demonstrate what it means to honor those who serve the church.
Key thought: What do our grandchildren hear us say about our pastors and church?
Lead by Your Example
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 reminds us to not only remember our leaders but follow their example. As we follow their example, may our grandchildren follow ours.
Show Your Grandchildren What Faithful Service Looks Like
Our grandchildren learn far more from what they see us do than from what we tell them to do. When they see us worship faithfully, pray for our pastors, serve the church, encourage others, and give generously of our time and gifts, we are showing them what a life of faithful service looks like.
One thing we could do to support and encourage our pastors not just one day a year but throughout the years is to serve. Every one of us has spiritual gift, talent, or skill that can be used by God to equip and encourage His church. 1 Peter 4:10 exhorts us: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Another good passage to follow is Romans 12:10-12 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. As grandparents seeking to leave a godly example, these are great scriptures to follow. Do your grandchildren see you serve the body of Christ? Have you found ways they can serve alongside you? How have they seen you supporting your pastor?
Practical Ways Grandparents Can Encourage Their Pastor
Some examples of serving that could encourage your pastor is:
- Being available to mentor younger church couples or members
- Helping shape church programs offering your wisdom and life experience
- Being a prayer warrior – start or lead prayer groups such as Grandparents prayer group
- Participating in and fostering community during events at church
- Leading a Bible study or home group
- Building bridges between generations by offering support and making connections
One meaningful way to encourage your pastor is simply to be present and engaged in the life of your church. Faithful participation in worship and church life not only encourages your pastor, it also shows your grandchildren that gathering with God’s people is an important part of following Christ. Seek to express your verbal appreciation for his sermons and pastoral care. By making church attendance and involvement a priority in your life, your grandchildren can not help but catch it.
A few more things would be to be mindful of his need for rest and family time. Advocate for time off and time away. Speak positively about your pastor to others in the community and on social media. While many of these ideas should be done year-round, let’s talk about a few to do specifically this month.
Lead with impact
- Write a “You Made a Difference” card. Be specific about a sermon, conversation, or moment that encouraged or impacted you. Invite your grandchildren to write their own cards.
- Create a church prayer calendar. With your grandchildren, write the names of pastors, church staff, and ministry leaders on a calendar and pray for one each day.
- Prepare a meal basket. Gather ingredients for a family meal, movie night, or picnic. Let your grandchildren help choose items based on the pastor’s family’s interests.
- Give a thoughtful gift. It can be simple or handmade. Let your grandchildren help you choose or create something meaningful.
- Participate in Pastor Appreciation Sunday. Let your grandchildren see you actively participating and honoring those who serve your church.
- Plan an act of service. Wash the car, help with yard work, provide a meal, or find another practical way to bless the pastor’s family.
- Pray together. Set aside a special time to pray for your pastor and their family.
- Send a thank you text. Encourage older grandchildren or teens to send a personal message sharing how their pastor has influenced them.
- Create encouragement banners. Invite your grandchildren to help create banners or signs of appreciation for church leaders.
- Make a blessing jar. Have your grandchildren write notes about things they appreciate about their pastor. Add your own notes and give the jar as a gift.
- Record a video message. Have your grandchildren record a short thank you message for your pastor.
Grandparents play a vital role in supporting pastors and church communities. Your involvement can enhance church life while also serving as an example for your grandchildren. Pastors often feel they cannot live up to the expectations put on them whether by themselves or others. Pastors carry significant responsibility as they shepherd their churches and care for people. Your encouragement, prayers, words, and practical support can be a meaningful blessing to them and their families. And as you model this kind of honor and service, your grandchildren are watching.
The Legacy We Leave
What a beautiful legacy to pass on: grandchildren who learn not only to attend church, but to love the church, serve its people, pray for its leaders, and honor those who faithfully shepherd God’s people.
What are we teaching the next generation about loving, serving, and honoring the church?
