The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director. Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year. God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...
Saturday we had a work day all day. People worked hard...I mean really hard, to get the place in shape for the next season. Men, women, teens and little children all served -- I was so proud of everybody. I'm a leader that strongly believes in showing appreciation, "catching people doing things right," and rewarding what you want to see repeated. I don't EVER get up and talk about people who don't show up, who don't do stuff, who aren't doing whatever -- I just talk up the daylights out of anybody who IS showing up, and is doing stuff. Did you ever sit in a service or a meeting where the leader/preacher did nothing but talk to the people who WERE there about the people who WEREN'T THERE? I did that when I first started out in the ministry and discovered it was a HUGE mistake. I've sat in services where preachers did nothing but rail out for 30-45 minutes in a sermon about everybody who wasn't there! Hello. Jesus didn't die on the cross for the sins of the world so we can get up and waste whole sermon opportunities blasting away about people who don't show up or do anything. It just frustrates the people who are there because they think, "why is he/she complaining about people who aren't here? I'm here, so let's get this party started!" I've always said, "move with the movers!" Don't concern yourself with who's not there -- maximize the moment with those who are.
In addition to personally thanking everybody who served by leaving them facebook comments on their pages over the weekend, we had a time set aside on Sunday morning to recognize those who served. Right before my husband preached, we had the theme from "Rocky" ("Gonna Fly Now") ready to roll and right on cue the sound person started playing it nice and loud and it was rockin' the house. I shouted to the church, "get on your feet, it's time to honor the heroes of the weekend!!!" Leaping around the stage and shouting, I called those who served over the weekend to come running up to the stage while we clapped and generally went bonkers until the last person's name was called. We had to play the song twice just to get through all the names and thank everybody. It was awesome!
Afterwards in the guest room Alex said, "let me tell you the first thing that got me excited about this church...it was the way you thanked people!" He said, "When you started that theme from Rocky I got on my feet and started acting like I was boxing - I was bouncing around punching my fists as all those people were running up to the stage and I was shouting along with the rest of the church and my friend who brought me was surprised. She was like, "Wow, you're really getting into this!" and I said, "THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS HOW THEY THANK THE PEOPLE WHO CLEAN THE CHURCH! HOW DIFFERENT IS THAT?! I WANT TO BE PART OF THIS!"
Naomi, one of the leaders in our worship ministries was standing nearby in the guest room and said, "that's what I tell everybody about this church when I invite them...we do everything differently and you've just got to come see it for yourself..."
Different is good.
I'm so glad I'm a part of something different.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
I love our Celebrators and what God is doing through them. I love their passion and their commitment even when it comes to cleaning. I cherish the family God has placed me in. Although my heart is full and I think I couldn't love them any more than I do, I grow to love our people more.
*p.s. special thanks to Bonnie Stewart who was meticulous about writing down each person's name who served over the weekend, making it possible to thank each and every person without missing even one. You rock, Bonnie Boo!
Comments
What I see happening in churches (ours included) is the appreciation and attention is going to the good givers and not necessarily to those in the trenches. I notice that those who do the back breaking work as in cleaning, or stressful jobs, as nursery and pre-school work, get little or no thanks. Been there many times. Just once, I'd love to hear someone say, "Our church would like to thank...(and list the names) for helping with spring clean up yesterday!." Deanna, it is always the same people who help, and we all show up for whatever job needs done, because it is unto the Lord. But the fleshly side of me would like a verbal pat on the back! I hope your members appreciate all you and your husband do to show your thanks. You are a rare breed! :)
We had a few "nursery potlucks" where our children's pastor brought the whole nursery team together and they each brought a dish (yes, to their own appreciation, I know, a bizarre idea perhaps) and then once they got there he just shared his heart and thanked them for all they do and they enjoyed fellowship. Folks appreciated it, just the opportunity to get together and hear from the CP's heart.
Recently we needed some big items for the nursery and toddler room. The economy has really affected things. We can't afford to just run out right now and buy changing tables or whatever. So the nursery director came up with the idea to have a rock a thon. She mobilized the workers and they met to do this but first she asked me if I'd be willing to help her write a letter to Olive Garden and ask them to provide a dinner for each person rocking and share the purpose of what our church is trying to do in the community and in ministry to children. I gave her the letter and she took it to the manager of Olive Garden. They readily agreed to provide a complete dinner (salad, bread, Chicken Marsala, etc.) to each nursery worker. They loved it! We really have a nursery leader who rocks (literally and figuratively) and comes up with little ways to show appreciation that cost little or no money.
I've found it's not the money that matters to people, it's the thanks. But most pastors do get stuck on the "what are we going to give these people" because they feel to not give them anything is cheesy, so they say or do nothing.
I am just telling you all this so that maybe if you are in a position of any kind in your church to gently suggest that you have something to honor workers you could maybe even plan the first one and help the pastor see how it might help/motivate/encourage others. I know you are one of the ones in need of a pat on the back and and it might be the last thing you want to do because you're longing for it yourself. Sometimes the best way to show someone what could or should be done is to model it and let them see how it can work.
I will be praying for you as you continue to work so faithfully in service to the Lord. Many blessings upon you dear sister. Love ya