An Example of Thanks

This past Sunday my children’s time was about turning Thanksgiving into “Thanksliving” - going from a day or weekend of gratitude into a way of life all year. As I’ve thought about it more, I realize that’s easy for the leader at the front to say. But if leaders are expecting their volunteers to live out thanks then we need to model this daily ourselves.

Some leaders act as though they are owed whatever volunteers and paid staff do at their church to support their ministries. Some only seem to notice those whose area directly impacts their work. Some don’t want to be regularly thanking workers because they believe that people should be willing to serve without perks or props. Public recognition, particularly for those in Christian education ministries, tends to be at the start and end of the season at best.

There are many costs when we don’t acknowledge the efforts and needs of others regularly, and the sacrifices they make to ensure that ministry programs are running smoothly. Volunteers can feel resentful, alone, stressed, taken for granted, overwhelmed, burned out and used. Their feelings can’t help but filter down into relationships with other leaders and volunteers and those they are serving. The church is absolutely impacted, not to mention the spiritual health of the volunteer. How much better for us to be pro-active in expressing gratitude to avoid these things, and to model to others how to do this regularly?

How do you transform your church into a Thanksliving space from the top down? Consider implementing some of these ideas:

  1. Make sure that you know the basics about your volunteers that serve - their names, their tasks, the expectations placed on them, and their routine around their particular ministry. See them as whole people with lives outside of their volunteering time. Build on this knowledge by checking in regularly with each one. If you are at a large church, you may have to focus on just those in areas directly related to you, but be curious about and supportive of those outside your purview.

  2. Absolutely publicly affirm volunteers at the beginning and end of their program season, and in a way that is sensitive to their personalities and needs. But also be aware of what is happening in their programs enough to catch when parents are excited about what is going on or feeling supported, to hear about a creative lesson that really took off, or to see participants pumped and looking forward to something. Share these successes and learning verbally and visually whenever you can. Allow the congregation to journey along with your team and encourage them to pray for the leaders and to celebrate the good things happening as you lift up the efforts of your volunteers.

  3. Keep your ego in check by regularly admitting to how your own ministry is built up by those around you, and how much more your church accomplishes because of the service of volunteers. Being a lone ranger in ministry isn’t healthy. Reminding yourself that the efforts of the team working together does so much more than you ever could is important.

  4. Do the little things, either yourself or find a volunteer whose role is strictly to work alongside you to encourage and appreciate other volunteers. Possibilities include bringing surprise treats from time to time or a fun event, phoning monthly or so to check how they are really doing and to find out what would help, noticing when they are away and finding out why, remembering them at Christmas and Easter with a card of thanks, and offering to help with a trying task. Even something as simple as ensuring that rooms are cleaned and the space is respected by others goes a long way towards volunteers feeling appreciated and valued.

  5. In all the ways that you offer acknowledgement and gratitude, be specific about what you appreciate and tailor it to the individual’s gifts and efforts. No one wants to feel generic or thanked only out of duty. Take the time to connect and nurture your people so that you can speak into their lives and make them feel valued for their uniqueness. Talk about the difference you see them making in the lives of others and in the life of the congregation.

Perhaps most important of all is remembering that all of the volunteers we have the privilege to serve with are a gift from God. While we may help to nurture and build them up so that they can serve in more challenging and faith deepening ways, we are merely accompanying God’s good work. The greatest thanks is owed to God for bringing these people into our midst and for calling us all to lead together. We have all been richly blessed to be on this journey with others and to not have to walk alone. May we practice the spiritual discipline of gratitude regularly to remember how blessed we are by God!