10/01/2026
Care for Those Who Care for Us
An invitation for Pastor Appreciation Month
Pastors walk with us through some of life’s most meaningful moments. They proclaim the gospel, nurture our faith, celebrate our joys, and stand beside us in grief. Much of their ministry happens quietly—in hospital rooms, difficult conversations, hours of preparation, and prayers we may never hear.
October’s Pastor Appreciation Month offers United Methodist Men an opportunity to ask: How are we caring for those who care for us?
Appreciation begins with seeing our pastors as people. They need friendship, encouragement, rest, and room for their own spiritual lives. Their worth extends beyond the sermons they preach or the programs they lead. They, too, are beloved children of God.
As United Methodist Men committed to loving boldly, serving joyfully, and leading courageously, we can turn gratitude into meaningful action:
• Pray specifically. Ask your pastor what would be helpful to hold in prayer, respecting what they choose to share.
• Offer personal encouragement. Write a note describing how their ministry has helped you grow in faith. Specific gratitude can mean more than a general compliment.
• Protect time for rest. Honor days off and vacation, and support arrangements that allow your pastor to step away.
• Share responsibility. Volunteer, follow through, and help carry the congregation’s ministry. Discipleship is the work of the whole church.
• Extend kindness to their household. Where applicable, include family members in appreciation without placing expectations on them.
• Practice care throughout the year. Let October begin a habit of encouragement, healthy communication, and faithful partnership.
A meal, a gift, or a public expression of thanks can be meaningful. Pair those gestures with a question: “What would help you feel supported by our congregation?” Then listen and follow through.
Pastor appreciation does not require pretending that every relationship is easy or that every concern has disappeared. It invites us to approach one another with grace, honesty, and respect.
This October, United Methodist Men can help build congregations where pastors receive the care they so often extend to others. May our gratitude become prayer, our prayer become service, and our service become a lasting expression of love.
Love Boldly. Serve Joyfully. Lead Courageously.
