Honoring members in this way is a good idea. But how could you step the value up from merely good to great, maximizing the assimilation value and encouraging true Christian fellowship?

 Here are four ideas:

1.  Get a group of friendly and established members to introduce people to one another. 
2. Provide name tags. Just because you know everyone doesn’t mean long-term members know newcomers or vice versa.  
3. Put sheets of ice breaker questions at each table. Include silly or serious questions. Ask people to name their favorite _______ (fill in the blank). Have everyone describe their best Easter/graduation/Mother’s Day of all time. Open ended questions like these can get everyone sharing in a way that feels safe and fun.  
4. Provide pencils and note cards and encourage everyone sitting at each table to exchange  prayer requests for the upcoming week. If they share phone numbers or E-mail addresses so they can stay in touch. Encourage them to contact each other at least once before next Sunday.

 Do you want to help worshipers break the every Sunday “hit and run” habit? Proactively leverage spring events to deepen relationships!

 Now he’s arrived on the doorstep of your church. You are strangers to him, and he’s a stranger to you, too. But after a few months of intentional friendship building, you start to see leadership potential in Sam. Might you consider inviting him to step forward as a lay leader?

 He may be hesitant. He may have questions:

• Do I have enough Bible knowledge?
• What if compassion isn’t my strong suit right now?
• Could this be a nudge from God to test the waters? Can I trust him?
• Is this a safe enough place to plunge in?
• How will my wife feel about it?
• Will my mentors throw me in to sink or swim alone?

If you befriend a young adult, especially one new to your church, think about opening doors for service. But think, too, about the questions and concerns that might arise. Promise to be there—and then keep your promise. Help your “Sam” to see that he can lean on Jesus, he can trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5).

 If you’re not sure how to say that or if you’d like to reinforce that message, consider giving “Sam” a copy of Shaped to Serve: Celebrating Your Gift of Service.

 Will you leave a legacy at your church by encouraging the next generation to step forward to serve–and then helping to equip them to do it? Their gifts are a blessing to others; help them explore the possibilities.

• Those volunteers at your church do so much. You want to remember them at Christmas with a meaningful gift. But what!?
• You work with a great group of professionals on your church staff. You want to share your respect and affection for them this Christmas. But how?!
• The teachers and Sunday school teachers, janitors, and teacher aides make an enormous impact on the families and young people of your church, parish school, and community. You want to encourage them all with Jesus’ love. But the budget won’t cooperate. So now what?!

Scenarios just like these led CTA to create and trademark the very first Ornaments of Faith® in 2002. Since then, they’ve become a year by year favorite of CTA customers. Are you among our fans yet?

Here’s what CTA co-founder, Steve Darr, says about these popular products:

The purpose of the Ornament of Faith® products is to provide unique and attractive ornaments to encourage the faith of believers and to plant the seeds of faith in pre-Christians.  We do this by combining traditional Christmas and biblical symbols designed in interesting and engaging ways and packaged attractively with a simple poem and corresponding Scripture. 

All these elements work together to share the truth about Christmas and the good news of Christ’s coming.  Ornaments of Faith® products include children’s ornaments, unique ornament Christmas cards, as well as a line of quality pewter –finished ornaments manufactured in the U.S.A.    

 It seems so natural now that a company like CTA would offer Christian Christmas ornaments, but seven years ago, it was unheard of—especially at a price under $4.00 per ornament. What set off the spark  that brought this idea into reality?     

Steve says:

We started very modestly with the Ornaments of Faith® line by producing a couple of unique designs in various types of materials.  We found that customers really seemed to appreciate the pewter-finish ornaments the most, and thus we have responded to that feedback by providing even more unique and purposeful designs that that could use to encourage the faith. 

Many customer have started collecting these ornaments and purchase them annually to give each Christmas. Our customers really seem to appreciate the value and the purposeful designs of the Ornaments of Faith® that our product development team creates each year.

Looking for a unique and meaningful gift for all those colleagues who mean so much to you and add so much to your ministry? Take a look at this year’s Ornaments of Faith® collection. You won’t be disappointed!

View a video about this year’s Ornaments of Faith®.

View a video about how one pastor has built a tradition around Ornaments of Faith®.

As you walk or run today, think about the Scripture below. Ask yourself the questions. Talk with Jesus about your answers. Enjoy your time with your Savior! 

[Jesus] went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. (Matthew 14:23 NIV)

Runners (and often walkers, too) pay particular attention to their knees. Knee injuries can ruin an athletic career or an exercise program. 

† As I serve today in Jesus’ steps, how diligent am I in my “knee work”? 

† When have I seen my Savior respond to my prayers? What do I want to say to him about that today?

 Lord Jesus, you graciously choose to hear my prayers. You promise that my prayers touch your heart. Lord, teach me to pray, just as you taught your first disciples to pray. Amen.

As you walk or run today, think about the Scripture below. Ask yourself the questions. Talk with Jesus about your answers. Enjoy your time with your Savior!

We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us. (Romans 8:26 NIV) 

† When do I “breathe in,” spiritually speaking? When do I “breathe out”?

† What will I ask Jesus to do for me, personally, today?

† What will I ask him to do for those I serve?

Lord Jesus, you once said, “I . . . enabled you to walk with heads held high” (Leviticus 26:13). And you have! Because of your cross and the grace poured out there, I walk with my head high—in forgiveness and hope! 

Help me as I breathe in your love today. Help me sense the aroma of heaven, and let it remind me why I do what I do for your people. Especially right now . . .

As you walk or run today, think about the Scripture below. Ask yourself the questions. Talk with Jesus about your answers. Enjoy your time with your Savior!

 Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:1–2 NIV)

† What motivated me to get out of bed this morning?

† How is my service today a reflection of the mission my Savior has given me?

† How happy am I with my answers to these questions?

† What do I want to say to Jesus about this?

 Thanks, Lord, for the path you’ve marked out for me and for saving me, making my service possible. Keep me moving forward in your love, step by step. Show me today . . .

By ignoring problems, though, we won’t make them evaporate. In fact, they will usually grow! Attendance drops off. Other volunteers suddenly remember previous commitments. The “misfit” becomes more uncomfortable, and perhaps irritable. Important work goes undone and goals go unmet. 

Are you facing an awkward situation like this? Then subscribe to CTA’s Grab N’ Go newsletter. It’s free, and the October issue (which will hit in-boxes October 6)  includes an article detailing eight ways to face the issue head-on, with kindness and compassion. You can use all or some of the ideas to create a plan. Then act. You’ll be glad you did!

Each month, CTA’s newsletter includes articles written with you in mind! We want to see you highly effective in your ministry so that the Kingdom of our Lord is strengthened and expanded.

NOTE: Link to CTA’s email subscription page.

Recently I cruised the CTA website and decided to check out some pages I hadn’t looked at in some time. Remembering that during October many churches set aside special time to honor their pastors in special ways, I headed to the CTA Pastor Appreciation link. As I pulled up the pages I discovered something I had no idea was on the site – a free, downloadable PDF file titled, CTA’s Favorite Ways to Show Pastor and Staff Appreciation. I love stumbling across new and creative ideas, especially if they’ve been used successfully in other churches. This list of twenty ideas came from the CTA staff, who likely have observed them used in their congregations. What a great resource. And it’s free!

I then found four other free downloads to help churches recognize and honor pastors … customizable postcard templates, name badges, a power point presentation, and a brochure by Sonscape Retreats titled, 50 Ways to Love Your Pastor. What great discoveries – even better than three dollars in a coat pocket!

Mark 10:45 [Jesus said,] “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

John 13:14-15 [Jesus said,] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Servant volunteers. I don’t know if that title will catch on in churches, schools, and other ministries, but I like it. More importantly, I appreciate what they do and hope their churches and schools honor them in unique ways. CTA’s new Serving in His Steps line of gifts will help do just that – honor ambassadors for Christ, his volunteer servants (as well as those paid for their service)!