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Become part of a culture that celebrates and encourages small church pastors’ spouses. With all the talk about pastors’ wives, we sometimes forget the unique position of a pastor’s husband. If your pastor is a woman, here are a few ways to include her husband in the encouragement loop!
** While this post is dedicated to pastors’ husbands, click the link for 22 Ideas To Appreciate Your Pastor’s Wife Or First Lady.
Easy Low-Cost Ways To Encourage Your Pastor’s Husband
Just as there is no “typical” pastor’s wife, there is no “typical” pastor’s husband.
- Some struggle with where they fit in ministry; others have a clear call
- Some invest lots of time in the church; others pour more time into work or home
- Some travel for work; others are the primary carpool parent
Whether your pastor’s husband is engaged heavily in ministry or he travels for work and is seldomly seen, he still feels the weight of his pastor-wife’s pressures and stresses along with his own.
Throughout the past few decades, it’s become crystal clear that a primary factor in the health & longevity of a pastor is the support of their spouse. So, let’s do our part to build a connection and support our pastor’s spouses along with our pastors.
This post is filled with ideas that can have a significant impact on a pastor’s spouse and, in turn, on your pastor. Add some intention to a simple idea below to be an encouraging light to your pastor’s husband.
Say Thank You To Your Pastor’s Husband
Say Thank You
Go out of your way to say thank you when you see him at church, or give him a call during the week. A kind word goes a long way.
Note Of Thanks
Another great way to say thanks to your pastor’s husband, is to write a short note to thank him for something specific he did or said that encouraged you or someone you know.
Encourage Him With A Text Message
If his cell phone number is in the church directory, send a simple text: “I appreciate you.”
Do Something Nice For Your Pastor’s Husband
Pray For Him
Let him know you pray for him. Better yet, tell him you will pray for him every week or every Tuesday. Be specific and follow through. Knowing someone is praying for you often means more than we realize.
Acknowledge The Positives & Resist The Urge To Complain
When you talk with him, focus on church positives and highlights. Speak kindly to him about his wife and children.
Pioneer An Effort For Refresh & Renewal
Identify key elements needed for your clergy couple to have a week for renewal and work to help make it happen.
Rally A Few Friends To Make Freezer Meals
Give your pastor’s husband the gift of Wednesday night dinners for a month. Schedule with a few friends to be sure each Wednesday is covered. A ready-to-go-and-throw-in-the-oven meal is a wonderful timesaver on days when the schedule is crazy. These can be made ahead in multiple batches. If you need ideas, check out this book: Seriously Good Freezer Meals: 150 Easy Recipes to Save Your Time, Money and Sanity.
Reach Out Relationally To Your Pastor’s Husband
Help With A Project Around The House
Talk with your pastor’s husband and identify any projects that need to be done around the house that you can help with. Then, gather a crew and help him get it done. Whether it’s yard work, putting on a deck, or painting the fence, show him you care by helping him cross a project off his to-do list.
Offer To Sit With Children, Aging Parents, & Even Pets
Offering to help care for those he loves –– even for an evening –– can give him a much-needed break and encourage him.
Spend Time With Him Outside Of Church (If You’re A Guy!)
Plan a time to take him out for some R&R. Offer an evening at a local sporting event. Go to the golf range, bowling alley, or nature preserve for a hike. Buy the movie tickets for a movie he wants to see, and spring for the popcorn too. (If you’re a married woman, couple dates can be a great idea!)
Gift Ideas
Thoughtful Gift
Although it doesn’t have to be expensive, it should be thoughtful. If you don’t know likes & dislikes, ask first.
Shop Local Gift Card
Bless your pastor’s husband with a gift card to a local restaurant, coffee shop, or another local store.
Encourage His Interests And Hobbies
What does he like to do in his free time? If you don’t know, ask him. Give a gift certificate to a sporting goods store if he likes to fish. Consider an Amazon gift card for tangible books or Kindle versions if he likes to read. If he likes to go to the gym, what about a new water bottle? If he likes to travel, try this book: 50 States, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to See, What to Do.
Start A Surprise Gift Of The Month Club
Another idea is to give your pastor’s husband a gift bag filled with something fun on the same day each month, like the first Sunday of the month. Favorite ideas include favorite candy, a nice journal, and pen, a gift card to a coffee shop, a pack of golf balls, a spice set … OR give it a theme like “Fishing Lure Of The Month Club!”
Restaurant, Gas, & Grocery Gift Cards
Another great gift to consider is a gift card for a family dinner, a gas-tank fillup for his car, or groceries. These gift cards are never wasted!
An Envelope Full Of Cash
Honestly, who wouldn’t love an envelope full of cash?!
It’s important to honor and value those God has placed in our midst. Choose one of these ideas and try it this week. Showing appreciation and thankfulness to someone makes a difference!
When you express appreciation to your pastor’s husband you can build connections where there were none and strengthen connections that are already in place. It’s a win-win. What are you waiting for?
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