By Michael C. Mack
Imagine the feeling of receiving a handwritten envelope and greeting card in the mail for a significant event. Many churches have greeting card ministries that send cards for special occasions as a way of expressing the church”s care for people, acknowledging God”s love for them, and providing an opportunity to plant seeds of truth along with a personal message.
Max Hickerson, who retired several years ago after more than 60 years of ministry, has added a simple yet effective ministry especially for church leaders: he sends wedding anniversary cards. “I have done it for many years and been thanked often,” said Hickerson. “And people have told me they had never received such a card from their minister.”
Especially today, as social media such as Facebook has nearly replaced the store-bought greeting card as a way to express birthday and other wishes, a card from your minister can make a huge difference in someone”s day””and possibly do even more. Hickerson recalls one Sunday when a man thanked him for the card he and his wife had received on Friday. “Today is our 25th anniversary,” the man told Hickerson, “and I had forgotten it. You saved my life!”
Author: Michael C. Mack
Michael C. Mack is editor of Christian Standard. He has served in churches in Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Kentucky. He has written more than 25 books and discussion guides as well as hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and web-based articles.
