Give the pastor the pencil first. The most enjoyable moment in this game is often hearing why a person who gets up early every Sunday would choose a late evening over an early start. The guest of honor decides which answers to share, and the congregation gets to listen.
Holiday dates for planning
| Observance | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clergy / Pastor Appreciation Day | Sunday, October 11, 2026 | Sunday, October 10, 2027 | Sunday, October 8, 2028 | Sunday, October 14, 2029 | Sunday, October 13, 2030 |
Clergy / Pastor Appreciation Day date reference
Prepare a key the pastor actually agrees with
A few days before the gathering, print the private key and ask the pastor to circle answers alone. The free sheet has twelve light either-or questions. “Either,” “neither” and “pass” all work. Mark a line through any question to skip, then give the sheet to the host. Choose six questions for a short break or use all twelve during a fellowship meal.
If two pastors are participating, give each a separate key and name the person for each round. Never ask a spouse or staff member to provide someone else’s answers. Keep the invitation optional, especially if you are planning a surprise celebration.
Play a sample round
Read “A puzzle or a board game?” and give each table fifteen seconds to agree on a guess. Remind them that either or neither are possible answers. Once all guesses are down, ask the pastor to reveal their choice. A table earns one point for a match. If the pastor passes, strike the round from everyone’s total.
One sentence of explanation is plenty. For example, a pastor who picked a puzzle might tell the room about the one that occupied the kitchen table for a month. Keep the pace moving by saving longer conversations for dessert. For a small group, have everyone hold up one or two fingers for the two listed choices and let anyone say “either” or “neither.”
Turn the last round into a thank-you
Hand out the cut-apart notes and invite each person to finish “A moment I appreciated was…” Something as small as remembering a visitor’s name makes a specific note. Let children draw. Gather the notes in an envelope and hand them over privately at the end.
Allow two minutes to explain, eight for six questions and five for notes. Settle ties with a shared round of applause. Find more ways to celebrate in the Pastor Appreciation Day guide.
Get the printable
How Well Do You Know Your Pastor? includes a private pastor answer key, a team guess sheet, host directions and four thank-you notes. The PDF is free.
Optional supplies
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Thank You for All You Do stickers can seal the envelope holding the congregation’s appreciation notes.