Healthy Church Idea – Show Appreciation!

Healthy churches don’t just happen. Healthy churches are grown, nurtured and expected!! As part of an occasional series, here is an idea for nurturing a healthy church.

Every member of a congregation deserves to know that they are appreciated for the contributions they make to the overall well-being of the organization.  Let’s be honest:  we depend on the volunteers who organize events, make phone calls, and give generously of their time and talents in so many ways.

So why do many churches report that they fail to say:  Thank you?

A healthy congregation recognizes the time and talents of its members. Yet for many, to single people out for their unique gifts and service seems foreign.  After all, it’s a part of being a member.  Right?  Wrong!

It isn’t that people need praise, yet many suggest that they do not feel appreciated.  Is there a way to recognize people for the wonderful ways that they participate in the church without seeming competitive?

The Bible suggests in many places that we should do all we can to build one another up in Christian love and good deeds.  Further, Christians are given spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ.  Recognizing good deeds and service is a way to honour God and God’s church.

So, how can we best do this?

Here are a few suggestions intended to get you thinking about various ways we can honour one another:

GLAD Gifts

GLAD stands for Generously Leading and Discipling. During Advent, one congregation asks members to name a gift that they would like to give the church in the coming year.  This gift should be a talent that they would like to give the congregation.  Examples of responses include teaching a children’s Sunday School Class or volunteering to be a youth worker with troubled teens.  You get the idea, each youth and an adult in the church is encouraged to make a commitment to foster the community of faith in a specific way.

At Pentecost,  the church holds a huge party to recognize the birthday of the church.  There is a meal where members are encouraged to sit at a table with others who share their birth month.  After the meal, the church recognizes 3-5 people who especially made a contribution during the year to the life and mission of the church. They state the contribution, the difference is has made and announce the person’s name.

Imagine the surprise on people’s faces to realize that their time and talent has been appreciated!

ANGELS Award

Another way to recognize the time and talents of people in your congregation is to give an “Angels Award” each month or once a quarter. ANGELS stands for Anyone who Never Complains and Gives Enthusiastically through Loving Service.

First, the church formed an ANGELS Award Committee of 3 people. Their task is to receive nominations from the congregation on deserving individuals who serve as angels through the time and talent that they give to the congregation’s ministry.

Members of the church are encouraged to think of people each month who represent the best angels.  They simply write a note to the committee giving the name of the person and what they do that deserves appreciation.  Next, the Committee meets to prayerfully read the nominations and decides on who to recognize.  The Award is then given out during the Worship Service on the second Sunday.

A member reads the contribution, then announces the person’s name.  They are then invited to come forward where they receive a small angel pin from the previous month’s recipient as the congregation expresses their appreciation. Everyone smiles!

I have seen really difficult people recognized in this manner who then turnaround and live out of a true spirit of generosity and humility. Over time, this award has changed the fibre of the faith community into a more thankful group.  In addition, they have noticed that people are more likely to step forward and volunteer – not because they received a small pin, but because the congregation appreciates the time and talent that members.

Over time, every member of the church was recognized. What they did next was astounding:  they recognized people in the wider community around them by inviting them to worship and recognizing their unique contributions.  The Mayor, Fire Chief, City Planner, a Doctor who organized a free clinic, and a High School teacher that began a Saturday meal program for teens in poverty received the appreciation of this church.

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

How can you show appreciation to members without singling people out for an award?  Easy:  throw a party!  Appreciate people’s participation in the ministry of the church by hosting a catered meal once a year and inviting people who serve in leadership, organize programs, etc.

Simply mail out an invitation to the dinner to the people you wish to thank for their service announcing the time, place and time.  Decorate the tables and room to make the event celebratory.  Have someone give a presentation about the importance of being thankful or using one’s gifts to the glory of God.  Serve a special dessert afterwards and thank people for the wonderful way they support God’s work in the congregation and community.

Why is showing appreciation important?

Hebrews 10 tells us that we must spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Not failing to do so, but using every opportunity to encourage and work well together.

A healthy church does this task seriously.  It decreases conflict and tension in the organization.  How well do you express your appreciation in your church?