I just saw this post today although you inquired quite some time ago. I thought I would respond anyway - not sure if you're still looking for ideas.
Thanking volunteers is vitally important to the retention of all those involved in your church's ministry programs. What Steve wrote about training seminars is also part of that - recognizing that although people are willing to serve, they also need to be empowered in their roles. So that's one aspect part of the volunteer engagement cycle. In more concrete ways, one thing we've started in our church is a card ministry - recognizing and thanking people for their various roles - and not just at the end of the church season. * Last year we had a very difficult congregational meeting in which our Chair of Council did an excellent job in facilitating. After the meeting a card was sent to him acknowledging his contributions and how he handled what at times were extremely difficult discussions. * After our Stewardship team provided some excellent leadership to our congregation over a number of months, a card was sent to the team in recognition of all that they contributed to a successful campaign. * At the beginning of the church season, cards were sent to all those involved in some aspect of ministry to our children and young people - thanking them for taking on the responsibilities for a new church season and letting them know we as a congregation appreciated their commitment to share themselves and their faith with our kids.
Another way to thank your volunteers is to invest in their lives as much as possible - meet with them one on one, take them out for a coffee and chat and spend time listening to what's happening with them on a personal level and asking how you can assist them to make their jobs easier. Invest in them, just as they are investing themselves in ministry. As for saying thanks in worship - yes, absolutely you can (and should) do that. But be sensitive to those who don't like to be centered out in public. It might be an idea at the end of a church season, to publicly acknowlege volunteers and then to celebrate together with the rest of the congregation with special treats or a luncheon after the worship service where members of the congregation can thank volunteers on a more personal level. There are many other ways you can thank volunteers - if you're still looking for ideas and any other resources on volunteer engagement, feel free to contact me at ServiceLink[email protected] or 800-730-3490
Thank you for posting this reflection Monica. My heart goes out to the writer and for the courage it took to share her story. I was subject to similar harassment when I first started working full time in my early 20's - by other employees. I never did anything about it, as I was young and didn't know how to address it. In Ontario the government has addressed this issue this year and is now legislating employers (including churches) to investigate incidents or complaints of harassment or sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers will need to build on their written harassment program (Safe Church) and instruct workers (including volunteers) on the program. Employers need to comply with these new requirements as of September 8, 2016 and Christian Reformed Churches in Ontario are being encouraged to include this legislation in their Safe Church policies. For those living in Ontario, here is a link to that information.
Thanks for this post Staci and drawing attention to recognizing and thanking those involved in various ministry capacities. This is an area that often gets overlooked in churches - or where there's maybe only one day when some recognition is given. ServiceLink has a document posted on their website with 10 Tips for Recognizing volunteers which provides ideas for showing thankfulness outside the giving of gifts. We have other ideas as well, but thought to share this one for now. I look forward to hearing other people's ideas.
Thanks for this additional suggestion Cindy of continuing the relationship with the missionary. I especially like the idea of exchanging video greetings. We've done that in my own church where it was well received by the missionary as well as members of our congregation. This allowed relationships to be developed with a broader group of people beyond the mission team that had gone out to serve.
I was at a funeral this past weekend where we sang "Nearer Still Nearer." I hadn't sung that hymn in a very long time, but found the words coming back to me and very meaningful.
Hi Jack, The process for recruiting deacons (and elders) that Lesley has written about is posted on the ServiceLink website under the ENGAGE link. Included on that page is a write-up of this process as well as job descriptions for both deacons and elders that can be edited by local churches. Additionally we've posted webinars for new deacons and elders.
Posted in: How Do You Say "Thanks" to Those Who Serve in Ministry?
Hi Rebecca,
I just saw this post today although you inquired quite some time ago. I thought I would respond anyway - not sure if you're still looking for ideas.
Thanking volunteers is vitally important to the retention of all those involved in your church's ministry programs. What Steve wrote about training seminars is also part of that - recognizing that although people are willing to serve, they also need to be empowered in their roles. So that's one aspect part of the volunteer engagement cycle.
In more concrete ways, one thing we've started in our church is a card ministry - recognizing and thanking people for their various roles - and not just at the end of the church season.
* Last year we had a very difficult congregational meeting in which our Chair of Council did an excellent job in facilitating. After the meeting a card was sent to him acknowledging his contributions and how he handled what at times were extremely difficult discussions.
* After our Stewardship team provided some excellent leadership to our congregation over a number of months, a card was sent to the team in recognition of all that they contributed to a successful campaign.
* At the beginning of the church season, cards were sent to all those involved in some aspect of ministry to our children and young people - thanking them for taking on the responsibilities for a new church season and letting them know we as a congregation appreciated their commitment to share themselves and their faith with our kids.
Another way to thank your volunteers is to invest in their lives as much as possible - meet with them one on one, take them out for a coffee and chat and spend time listening to what's happening with them on a personal level and asking how you can assist them to make their jobs easier. Invest in them, just as they are investing themselves in ministry.
As for saying thanks in worship - yes, absolutely you can (and should) do that. But be sensitive to those who don't like to be centered out in public. It might be an idea at the end of a church season, to publicly acknowlege volunteers and then to celebrate together with the rest of the congregation with special treats or a luncheon after the worship service where members of the congregation can thank volunteers on a more personal level.
There are many other ways you can thank volunteers - if you're still looking for ideas and any other resources on volunteer engagement, feel free to contact me at ServiceLink [email protected] or 800-730-3490
Posted in: Any Current or Past Elders?
Keith - you forgot one reason that you were selected to be an elder 40 years ago.... your gender. :-)
Posted in: Any Current or Past Elders?
Hello - I've served as an elder for a couple of terms, as well as a youth elder.
Posted in: How to Achieve Your Church’s Vision With Volunteers
Hi Angela - there are lots of resources available for church volunteers on the CRCNA ServiceLink website which you may find helpful.
Posted in: "That Was the Best Thing I Heard Today"
Ditto on that one Staci! And thanks Ron for responding to that nudge...
Posted in: Grief This Easter: Remembering Loved Ones
My sister Jeanet....
Posted in: What I Wish the Church Knew About Harassment
Thank you for posting this reflection Monica. My heart goes out to the writer and for the courage it took to share her story. I was subject to similar harassment when I first started working full time in my early 20's - by other employees. I never did anything about it, as I was young and didn't know how to address it. In Ontario the government has addressed this issue this year and is now legislating employers (including churches) to investigate incidents or complaints of harassment or sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers will need to build on their written harassment program (Safe Church) and instruct workers (including volunteers) on the program. Employers need to comply with these new requirements as of September 8, 2016 and Christian Reformed Churches in Ontario are being encouraged to include this legislation in their Safe Church policies. For those living in Ontario, here is a link to that information.
Posted in: Pastor and Ministry Appreciation Month Is Here
Thanks for this post Staci and drawing attention to recognizing and thanking those involved in various ministry capacities. This is an area that often gets overlooked in churches - or where there's maybe only one day when some recognition is given. ServiceLink has a document posted on their website with 10 Tips for Recognizing volunteers which provides ideas for showing thankfulness outside the giving of gifts. We have other ideas as well, but thought to share this one for now. I look forward to hearing other people's ideas.
Posted in: Coming Home From Mission Trips - Now What?
Thanks for this additional suggestion Cindy of continuing the relationship with the missionary. I especially like the idea of exchanging video greetings. We've done that in my own church where it was well received by the missionary as well as members of our congregation. This allowed relationships to be developed with a broader group of people beyond the mission team that had gone out to serve.
Posted in: Enduring Songs - What Connects Them?
I was at a funeral this past weekend where we sang "Nearer Still Nearer." I hadn't sung that hymn in a very long time, but found the words coming back to me and very meaningful.
Posted in: Doing It Differently: Empowering Deacons to Serve
Hi Jack,
The process for recruiting deacons (and elders) that Lesley has written about is posted on the ServiceLink website under the ENGAGE link. Included on that page is a write-up of this process as well as job descriptions for both deacons and elders that can be edited by local churches. Additionally we've posted webinars for new deacons and elders.
Posted in: Talking about Robin Williams and Suicide
Thanks so much for this blog entry Mark. I especially appreciate the link to Anne Lamott's FB posting - powerful words.