I pulled out of the church parking lot last night at 9:43pm after meeting with our Creative Arts team. Our mid-week service had ended and people spoke about going out to eat. At this point, I had been at work for over 14 hours and I couldn’t stand the thought of being in my heels for another second.
I said goodbye, dragged myself to my car in the back parking lot, and that’s when I saw him. The sweet, burly parking lot/usher I see every Wednesday who probably doesn’t know my name but smiles as his hello. He was waiting for me to leave the parking lot so he could finally lock up the gate. And that’s when it hit me. When do our church volunteers ever hear how grateful we are for them? Do they know they are loved, appreciated, and valued?
To: Unpaid Ministry Servants
From: Paid Church Staff
Date: February 3, 2011
Subject: This THANK YOU note is long overdue…Dear Church Volunteers,
Many early mornings and many late nights have passed without a proper thank you. I may not go to your church or participate in the ministry in which you serve, but you’re very appreciated, highly valued, and much needed.
Thank you for setting up the parking cones in an empty lot before the Sunday sun rises. Thank you for cleaning the restrooms and throwing away trash in the children’s classrooms. Thank you for working a 40-hour work week and giving your free time to help us serve those who are lost. Thank you for being willing to hold a stranger’s weepy child during service so they can enjoy listening to the Word of God. Thank you for the hours you spent creating curriculum for the child who insists on coloring it and creating a paper plane. Thank you for standing at the door of the sanctuary simply to smile and welcome people in. Thank you for standing in front of our congregation week after week to lead us into worship of yet again, another Chris Tomlin or Hillsong set.
But most of all, thank YOU for believing in the Church. As a representative of the paid church staff, I’ll admit we sometimes fail to acknowledge that we can’t do what we want to do without YOU. You are an integral part to our effecacy in the community. When mailings don’t matter and formal church invites fail, YOU are the ones who represent who we are and share the love of Christ in a way we’d never be able to; around a coffee table, at the mailbox, or at the gym. Thank YOU for being part of the Church family.
We may not have ministry figured out and I’m sure you’re wondering why we bought another tacky banner for the fellowship hall or why the pastor still pronounces your name wrong, but please know you’re very appreciated, highly valued, and much needed. We can’t do what we do without YOU.
Warmly,
Bianca Olthoff
A Paid Church Staff Representative
Bianca – This is such a great note. I know that as another paid Church Staff Rep, I do not do a great job appreciating and thanking my volunteers. Thanks for the reminder to do that more!
I didn't realize how much we take our volunteers forgranted. I'm grateful we can both share a bit of love to those who help us do what we do 🙂
PS Lindsey Nobles has mentioned your from the OC 🙂 Do you miss our weather? I hope Crosspoint is going well. It's a fabulous church!
Yes. I very much miss sun and sand…although when I got down to it, I didn't spend near enough time in the sand. My wife and I love it here though and Cross Point is incredible – we love the people, Lindsey included. Its been funny how worlds come together. We actually modeled for your sister for one of her workshops a little bit ago…
Oh this makes me so happy. Not for myself. But people need to hear thank you. They need to hear they are needed. They need to hear they are appreciated. I want to copy and paste this to every church website I can. 😉
Thanks, Michelle. I love the people from my church and I don't say it enough.
CCM volunteers are theee bestest!!!
You've done it again, got me to cry at my desk. Thanks for the shout out.
Much love,
Cindy A.
Love you, foil girl!
I first came to CCM two months ago, from the minuet I pulled into the parking lot, I felt welcomed, once I stepped into the door I was warmly greeted and was pointed in the right direction. I gotta say I haven't missed a service yet!!! I am very thankful for those volunteers They made me feel like I belonged there, I'm thankful for The volunteers that watch my 7 & 10 year old kids, They love it and are excited to hurry up and come back the fallowing week. I have a 15 month old baby girl, I always leave her home while we attend service because I was nervous to leave her in the daycare, Last night I had no one to leave her with as we attend service so I figured I'd try it out for the first time, I couldn't believe it when the volunteer opened her arms up to get her my daughter leaned towards her and went!!! I ran out of there before she started to cry…. During the service I watched and waited for her number to pop up, When service was over I ran over to get her. As I ran through the door I seen her smiling and looking into the volunteer's face with trust…. That made me feel so good as we waved bye to the two ladies that took the time out to make sure my daughter was safe while my husband and I enjoyed the service, I am very grateful to them!!!! Thanks for reminding me, because of them I can sit and hear the WORD of God every Wednesday & Sunday!!!!
Awesome 🙂 Now you have the opportunity to thank them!
My bro in law started going regurlarly to CCM this year and the first thing he commented on was the friendly parking lot attendants and how the ushers are always smiling. Thanks CCM servants!
This is always a good reminder. A simple "Thank You," goes a very long way.
Absolutely!!! You feel me 🙂 Thanks Cissie!
Yes, GREAT post!!! So appreciated! 🙂
You're so welcome, Cherisse.
this post rocks my socks off. as a "volunteer" at church (and not a paid staff) this is something that is needed to hear, not just from you but from our pastor/leaders as well. thank you for writing this.
LOVE this Bianca!!! Such an awesome post!!! xoxo
Ohhhhh I saw you're going to WPPI! That's so awesome. Absorb it all, Dana. So happy for you!
Sweet lil Bianca – a married woman. Lovely sentiments, edification and exhortation. God is well-pleased. You are lovely. Are you a mom yet? I have forwarded Dad's book to Steve & Lydia Gates and Luz (Terrazas) & Dan Davidson. We are all blessed to see one of our own "Colina" babies serving the LORD in her calling. So proud (boasting) and praying for continued submission and wisdom [in and ]of His will for you. Love to you!
B! You are amazing! Thank you for your wonderful heart..I have and will always say that CCM is the most loving and friendliest church! It will always be home to our family even though the Lord has us elsewhere! The body at CCM have the biggest hearts and I am grateful for them as well!
I love and miss you…send me a message on FB and let me know how you and Matt and the little ones are doing! You are forever in our prayers.
Love you..such a great post! 🙂
Awww…your welcome. 🙂 I do have to say that when my world was turned upside down last year; serving keeped me and Andres accountable.
A-MEN!
.Before the church had offices which was not very long ago the ministers were out in the community doing church.Offices are important in a sense that it allows meetings to happen and stuff to get done..But there is so much great space around you that you are missing out on..And guess what is inside that space?.Local business owners who are not going to your church..People who are not going to your church..People who are not coming the Sunday service that you are planning while you are inside your church offices..So what if your church implemented a policy that you must work ?.I would think that the same amount of work IF NOT MORE could get done..And you would accidentally get more work done in the community than you have ever before..Maybe Im just an idealistic romantic dreamer..Maybe or maybe Im right and you are working way too much inside the church when you are supposed to be outside it.. …To ignite a movement of authenticity among all generations of Christians that morphs the face of the evangelical church into a place of being real with yourself others and God…………………
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