When is Pastor Appreciation Day?



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Pastor Appreciation Day - aka Pastor Appreciation Sunday - is observed on the second Sunday in October.


It's a good time - and also a good reminder - to:


  • honor our pastors,
  • show them our appreciation,
  • and especially to pray for them.


It's also known as Clergy Appreciation Day.


The entire month of October is designated as Pastor Appreciation Month, or Clergy Appreciation Month.



Pastor Appreciation Day falls on the Sunday on or between October 8 and October 14. Some churches, parishes, or congregations may celebrate it at a different time.

Here are the dates, good for many years:


When is Pastor Appreciation Day?

2020 - Sunday, October 11

2021 - Sunday, October 10

2022 - Sunday, October 9

2023 - Sunday, October 8

2024 - Sunday, October 13

2025 - Sunday, October 12

2026 - Sunday, October 11

2027 - Sunday, October 10

2028 - Sunday, October 8

2029 - Sunday, October 14

2030 - Sunday, October 13

2031 - Sunday, October 12

2032 - Sunday, October 10

2033 - Sunday, October 9

2034 - Sunday, October 8

2035 - Sunday, October 14

2036 - Sunday, October 12

2037 - Sunday, October 11

2038 - Sunday, October 10

2039 - Sunday, October 9

2040 - Sunday, October 14

2041 - Sunday, October 13

2042 - Sunday, October 12

2043 - Sunday, October 11

2044 - Sunday, October 9

2045 - Sunday, October 8

2046 - Sunday, October 14

2047 - Sunday, October 13

2048 - Sunday, October 11

2049 - Sunday, October 10

2050 - Sunday, October 9


Why Pastor Appreciation Day?

We have Presidents Day. And Bosses Day. And Grandparents and Teacher Days.

And we have Fathers Day and Mothers Day.

What do they all have in common? They are leaders who make decisions that affect our lives.

And the positions they hold are often stressful, because of the duties they fulfill, the difficulties they encounter, and often, because of the false expectations others put on them.

Let's take our parents or guardians, for example. While we are growing up, they have to work to feed and clothe us, to teach us, keep us healthy and warm, and protect us from danger.

Someone has to make decisions for the family, and that is our parents. And some of the decisions they make can affect the rest of our lives.


The Church is a Spiritual Family

Really, God is the Father of His Spiritual Family, the Church. The work of the pastor is to be the voice and hands helping God to lead, direct, teach, and counsel us on the path of salvation.

The word Pastor means shepherd.

The pastor is a shepherd who cares for the flock of sheep, but he doesn't own the sheep, they belong to someone else. He leads his flock to good pasture to eat. And often he has to protect his flock from wolves that would want to kill and harm the sheep.




Pastors are Only Human

On Pastor Appreciation Day, and always, remember that our leaders while here on earth are not angels, they're only human, and can only do so much.

Of course the Apostle Paul writes that with God's help, "I can do all things in Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

But while still on earth, we human beings do have limitations.

Many times, people can have false or unrealistic expectations of what their pastors and leaders should be doing. Sometimes it's the same people who don't seem to help out very much, but demand the pastor do everything for them.

Kinda like a spoiled child who expects his parents to clean up after him and do his chores, when he should be helping by doing his share of the load.


The Golden Rule

How would you like to be treated?

Let's remember, because pastors are human like us, they have needs like us.

  • They need food, clothes, and shelter.
  • They need sleep too!
  • They have birthdays.
  • If married, they have anniversaries.
  • If they have families, their families have needs.
  • They have setbacks, disappointments, and sometimes get sick.
  • They may need some time off work.
  • They need our prayers.
  • They need our encouragement and appreciation.
  • They need ongoing time and training in God's Word, the Bible.
  • They need friends and partners to help and support them, etc.


In the ways we can, let's be a blessing to our pastors, and let's ask God to bless them also!

Thank your Stars!


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