Turn unspoken appreciation into real encouragement …

An act of deep generosity rarely arrives with a receipt. It is often unexpected: a colleague who covers your mistake without asking, a mentor who sacrifices personal time, or a spiritual leader who speaks the exact truth you needed to hear. The emotional response is immediate and clear — a sudden, deep feeling of gratitude — but it carries no obligation to act.

This lack of formal obligation is precisely why we so often fail to follow through. We set the intention to thank them for the lasting impact they made, but the hectic nature of our lives sweeps the thought away. The opportunity to deliver a sincere message of encouragement vanishes, leaving the appreciation stranded as only a private, unspoken thought.

This month is designated as Pastor Appreciation Month, a time to honor the immense commitment, personal sacrifice, and continuous dedication of our spiritual leaders. They devote their lives to our spiritual formation: teaching us from the scriptures, standing in constant prayer for our families, and tirelessly preparing messages that offer both clear direction and profound comfort.

You can certainly recall specific moments over the past year when your pastor’s ministry provided a meaningful blessing. Perhaps it was a message that offered light in a difficult season, a timely counsel that guided a major decision, or simply their rock-steady presence as a dedicated leader. These moments of appreciation have accumulated in your heart.

With October’s end imminent, this is your final opportunity during this annual initiative for expressing appreciation to take that feeling of internal gratitude and transform it into an external, tangible expression. Do not let the opportunity expire. The apostle Paul reminds us of the rich value of encouragement in the life of a leader: “Dear friends, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other,” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13.

This honor means recognizing the extraordinary effort they exert in their role, giving you spiritual guidance, and working hard among you. This recognition is the encouragement, vocal support, and sincere recognition that validates their unwavering service in the ministry.

A pastor’s calling involves the intense, heavy responsibility of shepherding souls. They accept the daily burden of watching over the congregation and must frequently navigate personal demands while leading others through crises. This is taxing work, and it is carried out under the knowledge that they are accountable to God for their care. The writer of Hebrews gives us this guidance for supporting them: “Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit,” Hebrews 13:17.

When you choose to express genuine appreciation, you fulfill the second half of this command: you give your pastor a valid reason to lead with joy. Your thanks provides welcome relief to their burden and confirms that their tireless work is valued and is producing deep, spiritual fruit.

Take a few minutes right now to reflect on a specific blessing or moment your pastor provided, and then, sometime this week, find a meaningful way to share that thankfulness with them.

Scotty