#6 Take your place in the life of your church! Discover your spiritual gift and use it.

#7 Be a consistent Christian. Regularly attend and support the ministries of your church.

#8 Continue to develop your own personal walk with the Lord – keep on growing.

#9 Make your own spouse and children your priority!

#10 Take an active part in at least one ministry of your church, giving help and/or leadership.

#11 Take the time to understand your pastor’s personality, vision and, above all, their heart!

#12 Be teachable – open to new thoughts and ideas.

#13 If you are not tithing, start working toward that goal – then let your pastor know of your decision.

#14 Tell people about your church. Invite them to worship and introduce them to your pastor.

#15 Understand the many expectations placed upon a pastor – and monitor your own expectations.

#16 Give new ideas a chance. “But we have always done it that way” are some of the most deflating words a creative pastor can hear.

#17 Never compare your current pastor with a former pastor. It is unfair and stands a good chance of causing discord.

#18 Share Christ in the marketplace, with neighbors and friends.

#19 Pay your pastor as well as you possibly can! Overwhelm them with generosity!

#20 Be sure your pastor has at least one day off a week – then make sure it is taken!

#21 Provide adequate paid vacation.

#22 Encourage your pastor in continuing education and spiritual enrichment, providing both time and finances.

#23 Make sure conferences and seminars for your pastor and spouse are not considered vacation time.

#24 Care for your pastor’s health. Do all you can to provide adequate health insurance.

#25 As a church, make annual physicals mandatory.

#26 If possible, a membership to a health club is a wise investment for your pastor and staff.

#27 Take your pastor fishing, golfing, sailing, etc., not to talk about church, but to play!

#28 Never say negative things about your pastor or church in front of family or others. Talk directly to your pastor when you have concerns.

#29 A gift card to a restaurant or grocery store is deeply appreciated.

#30 Help keep your pastor’s technology relatively current and working well.

#31 Write a note telling your pastor something you learned from a recent sermon.

#32 Show appreciation to your pastor whenever possible.

#33 Remember, pastors consider themselves to be caregivers. It may be hard for your pastor to receive care so be relentless!

#34 Ask, ask and ask again – “Pastor, how can I help you?”

#35 Protect the privacy of your pastor and family and their time together.

#36 Remember the church hired the pastor, not the pastor’s spouse.

#37 Allow your pastor’s spouse to be themself.

#38 It has been said that the hardest role in the church is that of the pastor’s spouse. Evaluate the expectations placed on them, including your own.

#39 As with the pastor, do not compare your pastor’s spouse with a former pastor’s spouse. It is not right, nor fair.

#40 Ministry is hard on marriages. Encourage your pastor and spouse to find and attend events that enrich marriage, then make finances available.

#41 Plan a surprise gift for your pastor and spouse -several days at a B&B will always be welcome!

#42 If there are young children, offer to watch them, giving your pastor and spouse time away.

#43 Allow your pastor’s children to be themselves. Love them for who they are.

#44 Remember your pastor’s children are children – like yours, they are not perfect.

#45 Support and encourage your pastor’s children by finding out what they’re interested in and talking to them about those interests.

#46 Remember the birthdays and wedding anniversary of your pastor and family.

#47 Be aware of any special needs of your pastor’s family.

#48 Drop a note to your pastor’s family to express appreciation and brighten their day.

#49 Be diligent but sensitive in offering care to your pastor’s spouse and family.