10 Ways For Ministry Leaders and Directorsn to Say “Thanks”

With Thanksgiving and Christmas rapidly approaching, you may be thinking this would be a great time to tell your leaders “thanks.” It is! However, in the flurry of gifting, tinselling, shopping, baking and program planning, you’ll need to be intentional about fulfilling  your good intentions. This year, why not begin today to thank those around you? Here are 10 ideas to get you started.

1. Write an article for the church newsletter, post on Facebook or ask for some space in the church worship folder to thank your leaders publicly for all their hard work.

2. Take your leaders out for a “thank you” breakfast on a Saturday morning, say 8 a.m., and promise them they’ll be done by 9:30. While you’re with them, don’t talk about club; but begin with a short speech on how much you appreciate them. Encourage them to chat with one another and get to know each other even better than they already do.

3. Write each of person a handwritten note specifically thanking them for one or two ways they help you at club. For example, “Don, thanks so much for showing up early each week and setting up the chairs. Thanks, too, for taking a special interest in Marcus. His whole personality is different since the beginning of the year because of your encouragement.” Make it personal; don’t just send a quickly scrawled generic note to everyone.

4. Make sure you pass along any compliments you might get about the club. Has a parent told you how much her child enjoys Sparks? Let your leaders know; they are the ones directly communicating with the kids.

5. Ask a parent or two to organize a project to thank leaders. Maybe the kids could all sign a T-shirt that says, “World’s Greatest Leader.”

6. Give those who serve you a small gift card as a special treat.  A few dollars for a coffee shop will get them a drink and a pastry and let them know you care.

7.  Make a conscious effort to have an uninterrupted conversation with them. Ask how they’re doing and then listen as they tell you. Make sure you do it at a time when you aren’t running after kids or worrying about the Large Group lesson.

8. Make a video of club. Record the kids singing or ask them what they like about club. What do they think makes a good leader? What do they like about their leaders. (Be careful that one leader doesn’t get all the praise.)

9. Find out what each of your leader’s favorite snacks is and surprise them by bringing those snacks to club one night.

10. Do you live where there’s snow? Go out during club on a snowy night and clean off their windshields so their cars are ready to go when they are.

Remember that giving thanks to your leaders is easy and something you can do today and that actions speak louder than words, or as John says: … Let us love not with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

What are your favorite ways to thank your leaders? Tell us about them in the comments. And take a look at 17 ways to help kids learn about giving thanks to others.

For more giving ideas: It’s the season of giving; What kind of role model will you be?

To teach kids about giving thanks: 17 Activities to Celebrate Thanksgiving with Kids

The original blog was written by Linda Weddle. It has been updated by the Awana Editorial Team.