Articles for tag: Appreciation

September 14, 2015

Tips, tactics, and testimonies by church leaders who know the value of a volunteer. Compiled by Jennifer Johnson ________ 1.Â Last fall, I wrote a note to each Bible study leader mentioning specific strengths I see in her. Then I read the notes aloud in our start-up leader meeting. The fun thing was they weren”t expecting this type of affirmation at the beginning of the year. “”Nancy Karpenske, women and spiritual transformation pastor, LifeBridge Christian Church, Longmont, Colorado 2.Â A couple of times a year we hold major serving events in our community. In our weekend services after each of these events,

September 11, 2015

Christian Standard

Church Leadership

Beyond Words

By Susan Lawrence 5 Gifts for Volunteers 1. Storybooks. Collect stories and memories from people involved in the ministry””those who have led, served alongside, and been served by volunteers. Bind together the stories, or place them in a photo album or scrapbook. Seeing and reading others” perspective will encourage and inspire your volunteers. 2. Coupons. Nearly everyone is busy, but when ministry is added into the schedule, other things get put on the back burner. Think of individual needs, and create a customized coupon for each person. Items to consider include pet care, babysitting, delivering a prepared meal, or a

September 10, 2015

Christian Standard

Church Leadership

I Felt Most Appreciated When . . .

Six seasoned church leaders shareÂ appreciation testimonies. I”VE FELT MOSTÂ appreciated when offered opportunities to move to a larger church or a bigger salary. Those moments forced me to reflect on my current situation and to realize I would never find a church that loved me more or treated me better than the one I am in. I”ve been with this congregation more than a quarter of a century, mostly because of the way I”ve been treated. “”Mark Atteberry, preaching minister Poinciana Christian Church, Kissimmee, Florida ___ I FELT MOSTÂ appreciated when, during a time of crisis and great stress, the entire eldership

September 2, 2015

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership Preaching

Emotional Stinginess

By Jim Tune The joke was funny. My sermon was good. But two rows of people, mostly from the same family, were unmoved. They were, in their own minds, punishing me for an unpopular decision. The method of punishment? Withholding encouragement. Withholding praise. Withholding kindness. Arms folded across their chests, their eyes betrayed what they were thinking: You will receive no love from us this day. Praise has never been my motivation for preaching. You can”t please everyone anyway. But most preachers can relate to the “deliberate withholding” scene I just described. Thomas Aquinas once submitted that to withhold a

August 1, 2015

Christian Standard

Church Leadership

Because of Their Work

By Jeff Faull It was more than 20 years ago that October was designated as Clergy Appreciation Month. My experience and exposure is limited, but for most people I know, Clergy Appreciation Month is a nonevent. Some even perceive it as a “contrived holiday” kept alive by greeting card companies and Christian booksellers. Unless I miss my guess, most Christian workers don”t care much about those “appreciation days” on the calendar. I confess I had to look it up to see when it took place. October passes by with many of us remaining blissfully unaware that we missed anything. And

October 23, 2010

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Leadership Development

A Challenge for All of Us

By Mark A. Taylor I”m grateful for a preacher who did what Bob Russell didn”t. In his interview this week, Bob says he wishes he”d started a “Preacher Boys Club” as a part of his local-church ministry. When I was in junior high and high school, the minister did exactly that. Actually two ministers led our group at the Christian church in Waukegan, Illinois. It was started by Robert Sheets and continued by Steve Willis who followed him in ministry there. We met before Sunday-evening youth group and learned about different kinds of sermons and how to deliver them. We

January 28, 2007

Robert Kitchen

Church & Ministry Church Staff

The Parsonage: Whose House Is This?

Parsonages can blur boundaries and create “not exactly” living arrangements that strain privacy, expectations, and maintenance responsibilities. This article explains the financial downsides for ministers and offers practical alternatives churches can consider.