Dale’s Colossal Christmas Catalog Conferment for Churchmen (aka: My annual gift list for preachers)

I know some of you have just been sitting there waiting. And now it has arrived: “Dale’s annual gift ideas for your preacher.” I did the first of these a little over 30 years ago. I take a year off now and then, but most years, this is what makes preachers’ wives hate me! How to use this list: 1. Accidentally forward it to your elders. 2. Leave a copy of it lying randomly on the elders’ table. 3. If you have other ministers on staff, you might share it with the elders as ideas of what they could do for your associates this year at Christmas! :). This year the list is a little different. I got some help from a few “elves.” Thanks to Brendan, Matthew, Jeff, and Craig. 

1. A word of genuine encouragement: If you want to go deeper, how about collecting notes and putting them in a notebook of "you helped me when..." or "something I learned from your sermons was..." or "you showed me Jesus..." This gift will both encourage and help your preacher want to be better.

2. ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal Boxed Edition: He will love these study books. 

3. iPad mini (from $499) and Apple Pencil ($129): Want to avoid what some call “the evil empire” but still want a neat gadget. Check out this new watch from Motorola. For only $100, it is pretty cool.

4. The “Admin Pouch” from Nutsac: A great place to store travel cords.

5. A TJI Book Certificate ($10 certificate good for $25 in books): To order, inquire at TJI@TheJenkinsInstitute.com.

6. This Coupon Good for an extra Sunday off! PRINT COUPON HERE

7. AirTags: a set of 4, $99.00. Or go the none Apple route with Tile.

8. A night at WhiteStone Inn “A Sanctuary for the Soul” - Ministers get a 50% discount on this beautiful retreat in East Tennessee built by the man who started Family Bookstores. 

9. A “Free Write” no distractions device: https://getfreewrite.com/products/freewrite-traveler

10. A quarter to sit in a class: Let your preacher get fed for a quarter.

11. A gift certificate for his wife to a spa: Want to really show your love, love his family!

12. A trip to BETTER Conference (sans criticism): Don’t say, “We think you need to go to the BETTER Conference, say “We think you will love being with the folks at BETTER.” 

13. A gift card to his and his wife’s favorite restaurant: If they have small kids pay for a babysitter. Or a different spin on this. A random delivery of a home-cooked meal.

14. A Keurig for the office. This one is only $49.

15. An Amazon Gift Card: Because gift cards are great. 

16. A weekend getaway for him and his wife. Maybe you could upgrade it: If a family has a chalet or condo, gift them a few days in the offseason just a place to get away with his family.

17. A certificate for a house cleaning service.

18. Let's talk about a sabbatical: If your minister has been there more than seven years, consider some sort of sabbatical for him. As our friend Jerrie says, God even let dirt rest every seven years! He should come back renewed and ready to go again and feeling loved.

19. Most ministers are pen and notebook snobs: Find a really awesome pen and journal and wrap it up with a handwritten note telling him he is loved.

20. Pray for him in front of the whole church. Or pray for him in a meeting with him present. Or just start praying for him!