We’re plunging into fall! Are you ready? Here are some ministry tips—a baker’s dozen—written to help you gear up!

Pastor Appreciation

• Give your pastor a Sunday off. Arrange for a visiting pastor to lead worship one Sunday in October. On that Sunday, post a large piece of butcher paper on a hallway wall and invite parishioners to use a crayon (or a marker that won’t bleed through the paper) to write a thank-you note to your pastor. Post it on the wall beside the church office as a “welcome back.”
• Treat your pastor to a “Night at Home with Family & Friends.” Inside a large box, place a gift certificate from a local pizzeria, a movie DVD or cash in an envelope marked “movie rental,” and some popcorn, candy, and soda.
• Give your pastor a gift certificate to a magazine that features his favorite hobby or interest. Or partner with another family or two to subscribe to a professional magazine. Which one? Ask! (Most professional journals cost from $50 to 100 per year, so be prepared. Still, most pastors will deeply appreciate the opportunity for ongoing professional education.)
• Fall is a beautiful time for a ride through the country. Ask a congregational member to loan his/her convertible to your pastor for a scenic fall experience with family or friends.
• Post a large banner outside your church that says, “We love our pastor!”
• Honor your spiritual leaders, past and present, by creating a “hall of fame.” Along the walls of a designated hallway, place large photos or portraits of your shepherds from the founding of your church to the present day.
• Present a package of M&M’s to your pastor along with a note that reads: Thanks for sharing Christ’s love through your Many Ministries at our church!
• Check out many more ideas and free resources at CTA’s Pastor Appreciation site here.

Life Chain Sunday

• Include homebound and out-of-town members in this year’s chain of life. Prepare life-size paper chains. On the chains print the names of members who support the cause but cannot personally attend your event. Include the paper chains with your human chain as  participants hold the chains between them. Take a photo or video to share with the people who were unable to attend.
• In connection with your life chain, sponsor a baby shower for a local pregnancy center. Encourage congregation members to purchase items expectant moms there can use in caring for their babies.

Fall Festival/Halloween Alternative

• October is just around the corner. Don’t get scared! Get going! Set up a planning meeting focused on this year’s Fall Festival event. Will your congregation host a “Trunk or Treat” afternoon? Or will you provide witnessing tracts for trick-or-treaters to distribute to the homes they visit on Halloween night? Record any and all ideas. Save those you don’t use this year for next year! See CTA’s free Fall Festival planning guide for more options.
• As you invite people from the neighborhood to your annual “Trunk or Treat” event, encourage them to bring pets in costume. Plan to take pictures of pets and their owners, too!

Children’s Christmas Service

• It’s not too early to begin planning for special children’s Christmas services. Begin by listing those who have volunteered to help in the past. Then add in new members or newly retired congregants who might be willing to lend a hand. Start contacting them now, sharing the specific task(s) you have in mind, the time commitment involved, and exact dates they will need to be on-site (if any). Give them a few days to think and pray. Then get back to them to ask if they are willing to help. Read through several children’s services and highlight your favorites. Start here! Present two or three choices to your children’s ministry team for their input suggestions.

You are welcome to copy this article for one-time use in your organization as long as you will receive no monetary benefit from it. Please include this copyright line and submit an actual copy of use to CTA, attention Editorial Manager.
Used with permission grant #081609. © 2009 CTA, Inc. No duplication of this article is allowed without the express written consent of CTA, PO Box 1205, Fenton, MO 63026-1205. www.CTAinc.com.