Gratitude for Volunteers

You don't have to be in children's ministry long to realize that you couldn't do it without your volunteers! They are the backbone and the frontlines of the ministry! The ones who give and serve selflessly each week to make your ministry happen. We may think that showing appreciation to volunteers needs to be big and elaborate (such as fancy appreciation events or expensive gifts) but showing appreciation to volunteers is really more about how you honor and value them in the small ways, week in and week out. Knowing and greeting them by name, thanking them personally, sending a hand-written card or a quick text during the week, remembering their birthday, baking a homemade treat (or store-bought!) for them, making sure they feel valued and respected as leaders on your team. There are so many ways to appreciate and show gratitude for your volunteers. If you haven't done it in a while, November is a great time to show gratitude through food! I love cooking and baking for volunteers, and I have created these cute printable tags that can go on a homemade pie (OR a store-bought pie ... I found these cute little pies for less than a dollar at Walmart!). 

For more Thanksgiving resources, including a children's message (+object lesson!) for a family Thanksgiving service, and printable activity sheets, check out this resource. 
​
You can download the printable here and attach to a pie for your volunteers. 

When you give them the pie, don't forget to verbally thank each of your volunteers personally each Sunday that they serve, and look for something specific to tell them that you appreciate about them. Being an appreciative, thankful, and encouraging leader is one of the best ways to build your team. If people don't feel valued and appreciated, they will have a hard time mustering the desire and commitment to continue to serve, and your team will likely suffer.

You have the opportunity to build up the people on your team and inspire them, to believe in them breathe hope into them with your encouragement. Your affirmation and appreciation can cause them to serve with more passion, energy, and commitment. If you're the kind of leader that encourages and builds people up, people will naturally want to move toward you and be drawn to serve on your team. They'll want to keep doing their best and believe more for themselves. It doesn't mean empty flattery or nonchalant "thanks" but a heartfelt attitude of gratefulness and belief in the people who are serving with you.

Small tokens of appreciation and thoughtful gestures, combined with heartfelt words of appreciation will lead to a strong and passionate team of committed volunteers! If your team isn't growing and passionate, evaluate how you can become a better encourager and show more value and appreciation. Volunteers don't often burn out from serving too often, but they often burn out and quit from not feeling valued or appreciated.