Ministry Appreciation Ideas

The spirit of ministry

Church ministry requires many volunteers. Ministers and administrators seek creative ideas to show their appreciation for all their hard work. Expressing gratitude is not a program, it is a genuine desire of the heart. Appreciation can be shown in personal interaction, from the pulpit, on the church platform, or in planned activities. This will give volunteers feelings of satisfaction and increased motivation to stay long-term in the ministry.

Budgeting

Many appreciation activities require funds. The church's annual budget can allocate money for volunteer appreciation activities. Additional funds can solicited from the congregation.

Saying Thank You

Volunteers feel good about their service when people, especially the pastor, acknowledge their efforts and thank them for their work. Gratitude can also be given via a phone call or a card. Announcements can be made in church services that highlight the volunteers' contributions to their area of ministry. When volunteers receive this kind of public gratitude, they are more like to continue to serve. New people will be drawn to the ministry because the church is showing genuine appreciation to its volunteers.

Making Volunteers Feel Special

One way to show appreciation is to acknowledge the birthdays of ministry volunteers. Church staff and the ministry team can sing the happy birthday song, express good wishes by phone or send a balloon bouquet to their homes. Volunteers also feel valued when they are asked to mentor new recruits. Notes of encouragement can be sent from time to time that thank volunteers and their families for their support. Bible quotes can be included about encouragement and thankfulness. Gift coupons or cards for movies can also be given.

Visual Presentations

Pictures or film videos of volunteers at work in their ministry area can be taken of volunteers working with children or the elderly, leading bible studies or helping out in the church office. A video presentation or slide show then can be presented at special volunteer appreciation times at church.

Special Events

Ministry volunteers and their families can be honored by a special meal or picnic. A volunteer appreciation month can be held so that volunteers receive recognition every Sunday. Children can present a gratitude service for the whole church. A special retreat can be planned. An open-ended invitation can be extended at church services for those who have served in any way over the last year to a volunteer appreciation banquet. A head count is required so that the church knows how much food to provide.

Families of Volunteers

An expression of thanks should include the families of those who serve. They can be sent notes or letters saying how much the church appreciates them for allowing their family members to spend time and effort serving others through the church.

References

• Crosswalk: "The care and feeding of Volunteers" by Christine Yount, 1998
• Church Volunteer Daily: "Thanks....for Being a Volunteer"