Use these downloads to show thanks for your volunteers in a fun way this spring.
Valentine’s Day Tags
Show appreciation to volunteers or loved ones this Valentine’s Day by using these free tags. Simply download the file, print them out, and attach them to a sweet treat.
Lifeway Kids Planner Downloads
Christmas Tags – Free Download
Use these tags to add a little touch of Christmas cheer to gifts for volunteers and all of your presents this year. Click on each image below to download a full page of tags.
Spring Teacher Appreciation Idea
Spring is a time for flower seeds to be planted and flowers to bloom. Use this appreciation idea to remind teachers they are planting seeds of faith in the lives of children.
Gather:
- Find flower seed packets (select various types of flower seeds)
- Make copies of the tags below: Thanks for planting seeds of faith in the lives of children
- Cut out the tags and attach one to each flower packet.
As you give each leader a flower packet with tag, remind him to pray for the children he teaches as he sees the flowers grow.
Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with Lifeway Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.
The Value of Saying Thank You
When was the last time you received appreciation? Was it with a note, a gift, a word of encouragement, or a small gift to say “thank you”? Were you thankful someone took the time to recognize your hard work and service? Were you encouraged? Were you reminded that you make a difference? Everyone needs and values appreciation.
Merriam-Webster defines appreciation as “a feeling or expression of admiration, approval, or gratitude; increase in value.” When a teacher is appreciated through an expression of admiration, she seeks to become a better teacher. She sees the impact she’s making in the lives of the children she teaches and those she ministers to. She understands her sacrifice of time, efforts, and energy makes a difference in others’ lives.
A Kid’s Minister’s responsibilities are never-ending. You may wonder how you will be able to work appreciation into your schedule and budget. Will your efforts of appreciating teachers make a difference? The answer is YES! The Lord uses expressions of appreciation to minister and encourage those who serve.
When was the last time you appreciated those who serve in the ministry you lead? Just as you as a leader need encouraging words, volunteers need to feel appreciated as well. We as ministry leaders have a responsibility to value our leaders. Pray and commit to be intentional and value teachers by showing appreciation. Speak an encouraging word. Take time to listen. Write a handwritten note, or give a small token of appreciation. Communicate you appreciate teachers’ time, effort, and willingness to serve the Lord through kids ministry.
Delanee Williams serves as a Ministry Specialist with Lifeway Kids. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.
Volunteer Appreciation Resources
Looking for some fun gift ideas to show appreciation to your volunteers? We’ve got your covered! Click below to download some fun ideas.
Soapin’ you have a merry Christmas!
How to Foster Community with your Volunteers (so they stick around)
I always tell people my favorite part of my job is the chance to listen and talk with KidMin leaders across the country and world. Our team at Lifeway Kids has our ear to the ground with church leaders either on the phone, in the field, or online—engaging in thousands of catalytic conversations from leaders in all kinds of churches—small, big, mega, rural, urban, multiple denominations and non-denominations. One thing is consistent without fail; the number one pain point of children and preschool leaders is volunteer recruitment and retention.
We spend lots of energy blogging, podcasting, conferencing, book-writing, and so forth talking about this dynamic which is particularly important to kids ministry. Sure, other ministries need volunteers—but not at the same rate and volume as kids ministry. Am I right? So, out of all the strategies and tactics of volunteer recruitment and retention, I want to hone in on one that I believe is often overlooked: the importance of fostering community within the volunteers that serve with you.
Think about it. When you make the big ask for someone to serve in children’s ministry you are more than likely asking them to give up an hour where they would be in community with adults. In fact, this is one of the main reasons adults resist serving in children’s ministry. They don’t want to give up a small group or Sunday School class with their adult peers. So, how can we as KidMin leaders change that perception?
One of your primary roles as a Children’s ministry leader is to develop adults. I know most of us got into kids ministry because we love kids; but when you truly survey your role—who do you mostly work with? Adults. Therefore, it is our role to pour into them, develop them, and foster community with their fellow volunteers. More times than not, when we develop community with our leaders, they will stay with us longer. Here are some ideas for how to do just that:
- Pray together: It seems obvious, but I’ve talked to countless leaders who don’t meet regularly to pray for each other and the children they are teaching. Carve out time to do this either before or after class or during another environment (such as Wednesday night Bible study).
- Break bread together: Find a regular time such as a monthly lunch to eat and fellowship together. It’s essential to have time to get to know one another, share about families, jobs, hobbies, and talk about how the Lord is moving in each of their lives.
- Bear one another’s burdens: The more prayer and community time your volunteers have together with each other and with you, the more they will begin sharing prayer needs in their own lives.
- Encourage each other: Be sure your volunteers have contact information for everyone serving and begin to model how to text and call to check on one another. It may be a verse to share, a prayer need lifted up, or a call to action to help someone in need.
- Feed your people: We already discussed breaking bread with meal, but even more importantly, feed your people with the Word. Take time to share Scripture—even studying the lesson being taught to kids each week. If time is prohibitive to do this, an online, private Facebook community could be a great avenue to share God’s word (as well as other vital communication such as announcements, etc.)
As you can see, fostering community with your volunteers can be a key factor for retention. You want them to become friends and go deeper as brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. It’s scriptural and you won’t regret the time it takes to invest in them. Before you know it, your ministry will have a waiting line! For His glory!
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Jana Magruder serves as the Director of Lifeway Kids. She is a Baylor graduate and offers a wealth of experience and passion for kids ministry, education, and publishing. She is the author of Kids Ministry that Nourishes and Life Verse Creative Journal, which she co-authored with her teenage daughter. She and her husband, Michael, along with their three children reside in Nashville.
Happy Fall, Y’all! Teacher Appreciation
It’s finally cooling off after a rather mild summer here in Tennessee. The air is cooling off, our Saturday’s are filled with soccer games, and the thought of soup after church brings a comforting feeling. Regardless of where you live, fall brings certain memories or feelings.
The major fall holiday is one that reminds us to be thankful. We are thankful for our faith, our family, our friends, and our homes. Those of us in ministry are also thankful for our volunteers. Here are a few fall-friendly ideas that you can use to thank your volunteers.
Thank You Towels:
Everyone can use a good kitchen towel and I found these fall-themed towels at Walmart for only 88¢. Simply print THIS LABEL and tape to the tag and BOOM!!! Instant thanks!
Blooming Thanks:
Mums are the go-to flower of fall. I found these miniature mums at Walmart for $1 each. Print THIS LABEL and attach to the care-instructions. To make it a little more decorative, I wrapped the black plastic pot with a piece of colored construction paper.
No MITTstake:
It’s a lot easier to take that hot apple pie out of the oven with a good oven mitt. These fall-oriented oven mitts were 88¢ at Walmart. Print THIS LABEL, attach to the tag, and your thanks is red-hot!
Jeff Land is Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies For Life: Kids. He holds a BSW from Mississippi College and a MACE from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeff has served as children’s pastor and currently teaches second graders each week at his church. Jeff, his wife Abbey, and their four sons live in Coopertown, TN.
Love Your Volunteers on Valentine’s Day
Most of the time I try to post cost-effective teacher appreciation ideas, but this time I wanted to shift your focus to those “mega volunteers.” You know, the one that has been the childcare coordinator for 15 years, the VBS director, the Extended Care coordinator, or the Sunday School director.
Sometimes we might inadvertently forget those key volunteers that keep our big ship afloat. So, I think I’ve got an AMAZON suggestion for you! I love gift cards, especially ones from Amazon, because it has everything.
Consider printing out this free printable and show that AMAZON volunteer just how much you love her with an Amazon gift card this Valentine’s Day!
Jeff Land is Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies For Life: Kids. He holds a BSW from Mississippi College and a MACE from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jeff has served as children’s pastor and currently teaches second graders each week at his church. Jeff, his wife Abbey, and their four sons live in Coopertown, TN.