Well-known business guru Max De Pree once wrote, “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant” (<em>Leadership Is an Art</em>, 1989).
If you lead a team, you define reality for them month by month, week by week, day by day. Again and again, you remind your team of God’s love for them in Christ’s cross. You tell them the truth about the freedom Jesus has won for us, and you encourage them in the work they do as servants of God’s people.
As the calendar continues to turn, you will find specific times to say “thank you.” Perhaps as May rolls into June, some of your programs break for the summer. Some volunteers and staff will return next fall, but some likely will not. Or think about September when many programs begin to shift into high gear once again. So many faithful servant leaders have returned to help—and their return makes your programming possible!
While you say “thank you” every day, there are special, no-miss milestones throughout the year, too. As a servant leader of other servant leaders, you want to seize these opportunities to thank those who make it possible for the ministry of your church or organization to go so smoothly and work so well. Here are some individuals you might consider as you draw up your “thank-you” list.
<strong>Teachers</strong>. Whether volunteers in your Sunday school or professionals in your Christian day school, teachers (and those all-important teachers’ aides) work diligently day by day by day, doing their best to touch the heart of every child in their care. A sincere word of appreciation can truly lift a teacher’s heart, so don’t forget to recognize the team of folks who have made your educational programs possible.
Most teachers serve in two venues. They work with their students, of course. But just as important, they also usually work together with colleagues behind the scenes to make all those extra events run smoothly—the school basketball tournament, the parent-teacher chili cook-off, the yearly silent auction, the Christmas party to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Sometimes VBS teachers and helpers count themselves among the most-easily-forgotten educators in the congregation. Don’t let this happen in your church!
<strong>Christian workers</strong>. Christian workers don’t necessarily live by a school-year schedule. Have you chosen a time to recognize your pastors, youth workers, church musicians, and the others who are serving your congregation? If you observe Pastor Appreciation month, don’t forget to include your Christian school’s principal, the youth worker, and your parish nurse, too. Everyone on the staff should hear your sincere words of thanks, spoken in ways tailored specifically for them. You’re already said thanks? It can’t hurt to say it again!
<strong>Volunteers</strong>. The United States Department of Labor reports that 61.8 million people in the United States volunteered in 2007, and the time each donated averaged 52 hours a year (<em>Bureau of Labor Statistics, Volunteering in the United States, 2008</em>). They estimate that the average monetary value per volunteer hour equals nearly $21. What would it cost your organization if you had to pay for the work volunteers do for you?
Purely on a statistical basis, volunteers are the lifeblood of many organizations. And that doesn’t count the extra enthusiasm, the smiles, the love, and the Christian modeling volunteers bring to the table. Priceless!
How do you say thanks? How do you communicate your admiration and gratitude? Here are a few ways to do that:
<ul>
<li>Write a letter of appreciation. Make your appreciation specific and sincere, noting the person’s particular strengths. In today’s technological society, a handwritten note means much more than a less-personal, computer-generated letter.</li>
<li>Give a small gift of appreciation and remembrance. CTA has a fine selection of thoughtful gifts for you to choose from. Check them out <a title=”CTA’s website for quality affordable gifts that will encourage your congregation” href=”http://www.ctainc.com?partnerid=share”>here</a>.</li>
<li>Sponsor an appreciation coffee hour, luncheon, or pizza party and kick back to spend time together, enjoying the fellowship of those you appreciate.</li>
</ul>
<h6>You are welcome to copy this devotion for one-time use in your organization as long as you will receive no monetary benefit from it. Please include this copyright line and submit an actual copy of use to CTA, attention Editorial Manager.</h6>
<h6>Used with permission grant #080509. © 2009 CTA, Inc. No duplication of this devotion is allowed without the express written consent of CTA, PO Box 1205, Fenton, MO 63026. <a title=”CTA’s website for quality affordable gifts that will encourage your congregation” href=”http://www.CTAinc.com?partnerid=share”>www.CTAinc.com</a>.</h6>
