Church volunteers serve as an essential piece of your ministry program; often working late nights, doing the work that falls to the bottom of the wishlist, and taking the lion’s share of responsibilities. 

Taking a step back and showing your appreciation inspires your church volunteers and helps them understand your gratefulness. 

Don’t know what to say or how to say it? Check out our ideas below to get you started.

Start simple with a text

Most people communicate via text in today’s digital era, so it’s not unusual for you to send them a quick text with your appreciation. If you are short on time (who’s not?), this might be a good option.

You can keep it short and simple – tell them thanks for a particular task that they completed, or let them why you appreciate their time and effort (Does it make it possible for you to make it to your kid’s soccer game? Does it mean that you can focus on other priorities in the church? Let them know that.).

Handwritten goes a long way

Yes, we live in a world of digital… but if you are putting together a longer form message, skip the computer and write a handwritten note. 

What should you say in the note? Since it’s a little bit longer form, this is a perfect time to talk about the volunteer as a whole and what you appreciate about them since they started working with your community.

Listen to your volunteers

Wait, does this one really belong here?

Yes, it does!

Even though it’s not directly saying thank you to your church volunteers, showing that you listen goes a long way in demonstrating your appreciation. Perhaps you can’t make all of their ideas come to life; but you can show that you are listening and taking them into consideration.

Don’t overthink it!

Fear often holds us back from writing a note of appreciation. What if you say the wrong thing? What if you forget something major? Sure, that may happen, but it’s worse for your volunteer relationship to simply hold back from saying anything. 

Plus, look at it this way: if it’s a genuine statement of thanks, the words will be right. 

Other tips for showing appreciation to your church volunteers? Share them in the comments below!