Pastor Appreciation Bible Verses

Pastor appreciation bible verses are perfect for personal study or as the foundation for a sermon or lesson. I encourage you to learn from these scripture passages and then use some of the ideas on my other web site - My-Pastor.com - to show your pastor appreciation.

Commands to Show Pastor Appreciation

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. (NIV)

1 Timothy 5:17
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:14
In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (NIV)

Why Show Pastor Appreciation?

Colossians 2:1-5
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (NASB)

Editor's Note: These pastor appreciation bible verses show what really goes on inside a pastor's heart - what he wants and works for on our behalf.

Philippians 1:3-11
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God. (NIV)

Editor's Note: These pastor appreciation bible verses, like those from Colossians above, show a pastor's heart. Knowing what drives a pastor helps us understand why we need to be grateful for what he does.

James 3:1
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (NIV)

Editor's Note: This pastor appreciation bible verse reveals that our pastors have willingly put themselves under greater judgment for us.

1 Peter 5:1-3
So as your fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as one who shares in the glory that will be revealed, I urge the elders among you: Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly. And do not lord it over those entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock. (NET)

How Do We Show Pastor Appreciation?

Editor's Note: This bible passage for pastor appreciation reminds us that prayer is the most effective means of showing our pastors that we appreciate them.

Hebrews 13:18-19
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect. I especially ask you to pray that I may be restored to you very soon. (NET)

Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. (NET)

3 John 1:3-4
For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, just as you are living according to the truth. I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth. (NET)

Editor's Note: This pastor appreciation verse shows that there is nothing that makes your pastor happier than to see you living a life devoted to Christ.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you. (NET)

1 Corinthians 9:14
In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (NIV)

Editor's Note: One of the most practical ways we can show our pastor appreciation is to pay them adequately.

Conclusion

1. God Commands Us To Show Pastor Appreciation
2. Why Should We Show Pastor Appreciation?
3. How Can We Show Pastor Appreciation

Now that you have your pastor appreciation bible verses, take a look at these appreciation ideas.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Scripture quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved. www.bible.org.