SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) -- October is widely recognized in many thousands of churches throughout the United States, and I expect in other countries, as “Pastor’s Appreciation Month.” It is a time to remember, to say thank you and to honor those tremendous men and women who do more than any others to influence our lives spiritually and philosophically.

Pastors have been very important in shaping the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Without pastors, teachers and preachers of God’s Word our nation and the rest of the world would be in chaos. It is hard to imagine how terrible things would be without pastors. Can you conceive in any fashion what life would be like without moral guidelines?

You have a pastor, a man or a woman, upon whom you depend for advice, counsel, answers to problems and comfort in times of bereavement, illness and discouragement. They teach us the ways of God. They become our best friends. We and our families lean heavily upon them.

Here are a few things you may do to let pastors know they are loved and appreciated.

1. Pray daily for your pastor and his/her family.

2. Daily, certainly weekly, invite others to hear them preach.

3. Ask them what you or someone else could do to assist them with their ministry and to lighten their load of responsibility.

4. If your pastor has small children and you are dependable, you could offer to baby sit for them once each month so the pastor and spouse can have some time together for a sporting event, concert or shopping.

5. Volunteer to keep a ministry scrapbook for the pastor. Clip everything that appears in the newspapers about the church and pastor. You may also want to keep a few choice pictures of the pastor, leaders and special events. One talented lady kept such a book about her pastor and church for each of 25 years. It was a valuable resource for the pastor in future years.

6. Invite your pastor to meet your friends. Take them as your guest to your clubs, organizations, community functions, political rallies, family reunions and any other place where they can meet your associates. Pastors and laymen are, according to Jesus “ . . . the salt of the earth . . . the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-14)

7. Invite them to a dinner or party with your family and friends.

8. Provide them with money and gifts to make their vacation more enjoyable. Every pastor should have at least six weeks of paid vacation/study time each year. And several months for extended travel and study every five years.

9. Be sure the church is paying your pastors the very best it is capable of doing and providing medical insurance, automobile expenses, adequate housing allowance, entertainment expenses for church business, an adequate pension plan and whatever else needs to be done to free the pastor of unnecessary burdens so he can do his best for you.

10. Support them with your attendance, participation and financial resources.

11. Remember them with a special gift on anniversaries, birthdays and at Christmas with gifts of gratitude for their service.

12. Just a brief note or phone call of gratitude for pastors can give them a lift and positive encouragement for their 24-7 job doing whatever they can to make life better for you.

October is the month when we join with thousands of churches in our nation to find ways to say, “Thank you pastor”, and it can be done in many different ways. You and your church friends can have a lot of exciting fun coming up with ways to express your gratitude for your pastor.

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Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 1600 columns and widely known as a motivator utilizing enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems make him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher. For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089.