Discipleship Ministries encompasses many positions, from Kid’s Ministry, to Small Groups, to Senior Adults, to Praise and Worship. That is why September has been named the official Discipleship Ministries Workers Month. We encourage you to take time this month to honor the people who work so hard to make your ministries run smoothly from week to week. Here are five ways you can honor your DM Workers in September:
1. Social Media Shoutout (via churchmarketingsucks): September can be split into five weeks (one that starts with August and one that ends in October). Choose a ministry to focus on each week and advertise that ministry’s volunteers and leaders on your social media throughout the week. Design a “meet the team” promo that features your ministry teams and a short thank you message from the church. It’s simple, it’s free, and it’s personal. Statistics show that posts on facebook that feature real stories or real people are significantly more popular than any other post.
2. Lunch is On Us: Ask your congregation to bring a dish or dessert to a special luncheon or dinner to honor your DM workers. Pick a theme, such as a barbecue, soup and salad, or even a breakfast bar. Another option would be to ask local businesses to sponsor the event by donating appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Make sure and assign volunteers to take the place of those that would normally help organize an event like this.
3. Thank You Video: Create a “Thank You” video from your congregation to your DM workers. Get your kids to say a special thank you to their teachers and volunteers, your small groups to give a thank you to their leaders, and so on. A message from the people that your DM workers serve on on a weekly basis is a personal and thoughtful gesture that your workers will truly appreciate.
4. “Where We’ve Come From-Where We’re Going”- take one Sunday out of the month to remember your beginnings; where your ministry began, what your original goals and dreams were, and how far you’ve come since then. Specifically discuss the many events and programs that were only made possible because of the volunteers and leaders that were in place to make them happen. Personally thank your DM workers for their many hours of service towards furthering the ministry. Then take time to tell your congregation about your future goals, and how they can continue to help make those goals happen. Give your volunteers an incentive so stay involved by keeping them up to date on the progress and goals of your ministry. They are a part of your team! Let them know how much they are appreciated and give them the chance to know your heart and understand your goals. A volunteer that feels ownership towards a ministry will be more willing to invest their time and gifts into that ministry.
5. Volunteer Retreat: organize a weekend retreat for your volunteers and leaders. Invite a guest speaker to speak directly to your team, encouraging them and uplifting them in their ministry. Give them the opportunity to share stories and burdens from their respective ministries and to pray with each other. Plan team building projects throughout the weekend to give your team a sense of familiarity and kinship with each other. Leaders and volunteers can easily develop blinders to the world around them, only focusing on their own ministry and their own struggles or successes. Allow your team an opportunity to focus on each other and to grow as a family.
Whether you use one of these ideas or you come up with your own, it’s important that you take the time to give recognition for the hard work and dedication that your team gives so selflessly each week. A team that feels appreciated and recognized will always work harder than a team that feels undervalued and forgotten!