Another year of church worker appreciation

The Rev. David Nehrenz, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Norman, Okla., prays with children in the church’s early childhood center in 2021. Nehrenz was elected president of the LCMS Oklahoma District in 2022 and re-elected in June 2025. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

October has traditionally been the month in which The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) observes church worker appreciation. Last year in October, the LCMS kicked off not just a month but a year of church worker appreciation, with designated dates throughout the year to celebrate all faithful workers, commissioned and ordained, for their dedicated and sacrificial service. There were special days for pastors, teachers, deaconesses, DCEs, directors of parish music, and directors of family life, Christian outreach and church ministries.

This month, the LCMS begins another yearlong celebration of its church workers. While the dates highlight commissioned and ordained offices, churches and schools are invited, and encouraged, to show care and appreciation for all in their midst who assist with carrying the Good News of Christ into their local communities.

To assist in that goal, Synod staff have compiled a list of church worker appreciation ideas, varying in degree from simple to elaborate. The hope is that these ideas will fuel creativity and reflection and spur each congregation and school to recognize their own workers in at least one new way. Congregational leaders are invited to use ideas from the list or come up with their own ideas to communicate to the church workers in their midst how much their service is valued.

Here are suggested dates to join your sister congregations and schools around the LCMS in upholding and caring for our all servants of Christ.

Oct. 12 – Pastor Appreciation Day

Oct. 25 – Deaconess, Director of Family Life Ministry, Director of Christian Outreach, and Director of Church Ministries Appreciation

April 26 – Director of Parish Music Appreciation

May 4-8 – Teacher Appreciation

June 26 – Director of Christian Education Appreciation

Learn more.

Posted Oct. 1, 2025