[1]Over my years of studying churches, I’ve watched for ways they recognize and honor volunteers – the folks who faithfully serve the Lord through serving in their churches. Here are some of those ways.
1. Commission them at the beginning of the year. Make a big deal about praying over and supporting volunteers, and you’ll likely have more folks ready to sign up.
2. Write thank you notes. Few church members expect a handwritten thank you note from another church leader. Surprise your volunteers by sending a few thank you notes each week.
3. Give them a coffee gift certificate. This gift isn’t that expensive, and even non-coffee drinkers can find something to drink or eat.
4. Provide childcare for a “date night.” Most volunteers will appreciate the opportunity to spend a night out with their spouse.
5. Cater a volunteer appreciation meal. The payoff will be worth the expense if you do it well.
6. Pray for a “volunteer of the week” each week. Introduce a different volunteer weekly, and pray for him or her publicly.
7. Send birthday cards to the volunteers. I’m almost certain the card will be a pleasant surprise, as not many churches do this option.
8. Send a “thank you” note from the church staff to the volunteer’s spouse. Most of us could not do all we do were it not for spouses who support us, walk beside us, and sacrifice for us.
9. Celebrate with a “volunteer family picnic.” Give your volunteers’ families a day of fun and relaxation, and your volunteers will feel affirmed.
10. Enlist a photographer to take a family photo for each volunteer. Many families never take the time to take pictures together. Encourage them to do so with this gift.
11. Sponsor a “Christmas in ________” stocking stuffer event. You decide the month. What’s different is that the stocking is electronic, and the stocking stuffers are emails and texts of appreciation.
12. Call 2-3 volunteers a week. A handwritten note is great, but a phone call could be even better – especially in today’s world where few people use their phone to actually talk! A few verbalized words of appreciation can go a long way.
13. Have children create “thank you” pictures for their teachers and leaders. There’s nothing quite like getting a picture from a child in the church.
These latter two ideas might surprise you, but I hope they’re helpful, too:
14. Enlist a “volunteer appreciation team” who continually think about ways to say “thanks” to volunteers. Let this work become part of the DNA of your congregation, and I’ll suspect you’ll get more volunteers.
15. Always, always be praying for more laborers (Matt 9:37-38). That’s what Jesus taught us to do – and simply knowing that (1) the church has prayed for them and (2) is praying for them to have more co-laborers can be affirming.
This article originally appeared at Church Answers. [2]