The first Friday of March is Employee Appreciation Day. What is your church doing to honor you staff and volunteers?
how much you value the contributions they are bringing every week?
While we may think of corporate culture when we talk about employee appreciation, Employee Appreciation Day is a great opportunity to give well-deserved attention and focus on the people who work so hard to keep the church doors open! The sound technician, volunteer greeter, associate pastor, church secretary, worship leader, and janitor all bring valuable contributions to church every week!
You may find it daunting to fit a whole year’s worth of appreciation into one day. Therefore, here are 5 creative methods you can use to honor church staff and volunteers:
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1. Stop and Say, “Thank You”
This may seem like a no-brainer, but are you taking the time to stop and express appreciation for your staff and volunteers who work so hard to contribute to the church’s mission? It is so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day bustle of service, but don’t forget that the ones who are pouring out to others need to be recognized. You can do this publicly by having them stand during a church service while you vocally recognize their efforts. You can also do this privately in person or through written thank-you notes. Let each team member know, how their efforts are a valuable contribution to the church’s mission!2. Bring in Treats
Donuts, eclairs, cupcakes … A small, yet delicious gesture from time to time will go far in letting your team know you appreciate them. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your gesture! One of my team members recently told me that a former boss once called her husband to find out what her favorite Starbucks drink was, and then brought it to her! Even the simplest gesture can go a long way when it is done thoughtfully.3. Time Off
Closing the church office early while still paying your employees from time to time goes a long way toward indicating their value to your team. If you are too caught up in productivity to think this is a good idea, this might be a great indicator that it’s time to rethink your leadership strategy. People do not do their best work when they are driven to exhaustion. Don’t deprive your church staff and volunteers of special moments to stop, breathe, and know they are appreciated. Kingdom service should be a call and a joy, not a burden that is too heavy to bear.4. Host a Fun Group Activity
There are all kinds of fun, team-building activities you can do with your church staff and volunteers. For example, staff lunches are great! If it isn’t in the budget, don’t worry; you can make it a potluck. Create a staff culture that causes your team to be excited about taking initiative.5. Equip with the Tools for Success
One of the best ways to honor church staff and volunteers is to ensure they are equipped with the right tools for success. Regularly check with your team to ensure that they have the resources they need to effectively execute their mission. You cannot expect excellence from a staff member who lacks support. It’s also good to share the church’s successes and challenges with your team. You may not be able to tell everyone everything, but let people know as much as you can. Of course, this requires wisdom on your part, but this will fuel their motivation and give them a “why” for the reason that they are doing their jobs. If you are all united in the same mission, success will come in a much more enduring and meaningful way. Finally, invest in your church by getting to know your staff and helping them to know themselves. Use tools such as spiritual gifts tests and StrengthsFinder to help you know each other as a team.A Healthy Staff Is a Leader’s Responsibility
Never forget that you are responsible for your team. Foster an atmosphere of openness and healthy communication. Hold yourself accountable for each person’s struggles and assume responsibility as a leader for the health of the whole group. Part of being a leader is taking on the burden of others and cultivating an environment where the best of each person can be brought out.Was this article helpful? You might also enjoy:
