Who takes you to Six Flags, sets up volleyballathons, moviefests and Jell-O and shaving cream wars? Who takes you whitewater rafting and on missions trips to Mexico? Who's the one that helps the Bible come alive and that you trust to tell your deep problems and questions? You know the answer.
So when was the last time you told your youth pastor thank you? Don't worry, no guilt trips here — just the perfect opportunity to celebrate your youth pastor during Clergy Appreciation Month this October.
Now is the perfect time to get your friends together and come up with a cool way to let your youth leader know, Hey, we think you're cool, and we appreciate all you do for us - even when we talk during youth meetings.
Need Ideas? No problem. All you need is one good one to show your youth pastor you care. Here's a whole list of ideas. Go for it! Then e-mail us and let us know what you do.
>Shower your youth pastor with tons of cards.
>Order a small plaque from a local trophy company.
>Plan a surprise service (during normal meeting time) and relieve your pastor of his/her normal duties.
>Provide a testimony time during a youth meeting when you and your friends can share what you appreciate most about your y.p.
>Plan an evening bonfire celebration.
>Order pizza and Cokes and hand deliver them to your pastor's house. You might want to call first!
>Throw a surprise party.
>Plan a special banquet or picnic to honor your pastor.
>Have everyone pitch in a dollar or two to buy a gift and card. Don't know what to get? Try . . . a magazine subscription, gift certificates, a weekend getaway, a shirt, hat or CD.
>Send a secret letter to youth group members explaining Clergy Appreciation Month and include offering envelopes for a special financial gift.
>Plant a tree in honor of your youth pastor.
>Set up a "leafless" tree that's decorated with small gifts (cookies, hobby items, gift certificates, money).
>Invite family members for any special events you hold.
>Plan a church picnic, volley ball tournament, softball game, etc. to celebrate.
>Play video greetings from youth group members, parents, other church members‹even random McDonald's workers.
>Make and hang banners of appreciation all over the church.
>Invite a guest speaker for your youth group meeting so your y.p. can take a day off.
>Schedule a special time to pray specifically for your pastor and his/her family.
>Help your pastor feel special all month! Have everyone sign up for a day during October when they will take give the youth pastor an expression of appreciation such as meals, crafts, small gifts, cards, notes or balloons.
>Make a scrapbook with photos and notes reminding your youth pastor of all that you've shared in the past year.
Create the world's largest greeting card (maybe use butcher paper or poster board). Have everyone in your youth group sign the card.
>Present your youth pastor with a packet of personal service coupons redeemable for babysitting, cleaning the youth room, mowing his lawn, washing her car or whatever else you think of.
>Print stickers that say "We love our youth pastor!"
>Treat him to his favorite sporting event. Arrange to have his name announced on the scoreboard. Gather for a sports-themed picnic after the event.
>Buy a long-distanced calling card so your pastor can talk with out-of-state friends and family.
>Name something after your pastor, such as a room in the church, something in your youth room or a camp scholarship.
>Create a youth pastor's hall of fame where you post your favorite photos of your y.p.
>Film a video scrapbook and tribute that highlights your youth pastor's ministry.
>Buy a journal and pass it to all youth group members so they can write in it what they've learned since being a part of the youth group. Don't forget to present the journal to your youth pastor.
>Designate a "Hug Your Youth Pastor Day."
>Ask youth group members to sign up for a day to pray for your pastor so he or she's being prayed for throughout the year.
>Come up with your own creative idea.
