5 Meaningful Ways to Honor Veterans in Church

As followers of Christ, we are called to give “honor to whom honor is due” (Romans 13:7). Veterans have given of themselves in service to our nation—many at great personal cost. The church has a wonderful opportunity to recognize their sacrifice and to remind them that their service reflects the heart of Christ, who said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Here are five meaningful ways your church can honor veterans this year.

1. Recognize Veterans Publicly During Worship

Take a few moments during your worship service to recognize all veterans in attendance. Invite them to stand and be acknowledged as the congregation expresses appreciation through applause or a special prayer of blessing. Consider playing a short video tribute or displaying photos of members who served. This visible act of honor reminds everyone of the value of sacrificial service.

2. Pray for Veterans and Their Families

A heartfelt prayer can be one of the most powerful ways to honor veterans. Pray for their physical and emotional healing, for peace in their hearts, and for their families who often bear unseen burdens. Include prayers for those currently serving and for those who carry scars—both visible and invisible—from their service. Prayer not only honors veterans but also invites God’s comfort and restoration into their lives.

Why Pastor Appreciation Day Matters

Every October, churches across the nation take time to honor their pastors and ministry leaders. While it’s easy to think of Pastor Appreciation Day as just another date on the calendar, it’s much more than that. It’s a heartfelt opportunity to say thank you to those who give their lives to serving God’s people.

A Biblical Foundation

The idea of showing appreciation to our pastors isn’t a modern invention—it’s rooted in Scripture. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17). Likewise, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 reminds us to “respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord.”
Pastor Appreciation Day provides a special moment to put those verses into action.

Recognizing Faithful Service

Pastors carry spiritual, emotional, and sometimes physical burdens that most never see. They counsel hurting hearts, pray for struggling families, comfort the grieving, and stand ready in times of crisis—all while faithfully preaching and teaching God’s Word. Taking a Sunday to recognize that kind of devotion says, “We see your heart, and we thank you.”

The Beautiful Feet of the Gospel

Romans 10:14–15

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” – Romans 10:14–15 (NIV)

The Chain of the Gospel

In these verses, the Apostle Paul lays out a simple yet profound sequence of how the gospel advances. People cannot believe in Christ without hearing of Him. They cannot hear without someone proclaiming the message. And no one proclaims unless they are sent. Every conversion, every transformed life, begins with this divine chain: sending, preaching, hearing, believing, and calling upon the Lord.

This highlights a central truth: the gospel, though powerful, does not travel on its own. God has chosen to spread His saving message through the lips of His people. The call to preach and proclaim is not limited to pulpits—it belongs to every Christian who bears witness to Christ in word and deed.

Five Ways to Minister to the Minister

5 Ways to Minister to the Minister

5 ways to minister to the minister Pastors pour out their lives for the sake of the gospel—preaching, teaching, counseling, and walking alongside their congregation. Yet behind the pulpit and beyond the Sunday service, many carry heavy, unseen burdens. To keep giving, they too need encouragement, prayer, and care.

Here are five practical and spiritual ways you can bless and strengthen your pastor.

1. Pray Faithfully

“Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:25

The greatest gift you can give your pastor is prayer. Pastors face spiritual battles daily, and your intercession is a shield.

Pray for their family, health, and personal walk with Christ.
Pray for wisdom as they lead and preach.
Let them know you prayed for them—it can lift their spirit more than you imagine.

A short message like, “Pastor, I prayed for you this morning,” can mean the world.

Ten Ways to Bless and Appreciate a Pastor’s Wife

While some have thought it would be a wonderful thing to focus on appreciating the Pastor's Wife during the month of March, we believe this can (and should) happen quite often throughout the year. Take the time to bless and appreciate her on a regular basis!

A pastor’s wife plays a unique and often challenging role in the life of a church. She carries unseen burdens, makes personal sacrifices, and supports her husband’s ministry while often juggling work, family, and her own spiritual walk. While she may not have an official title, her influence in the church is undeniable.

Many times, pastor’s wives feel overlooked, yet they continue to serve faithfully. If you want to show appreciation and bless the pastor’s wife in your church, here are ten thoughtful ways to do so.