staff culture is crucial.
In my opinion, it might be one of the most important things on both church and corporate staffs in regards to having a thriving workplace.
Because church staffs and even volunteer teams, often have a “family-like” feel, your staff culture is even more elevated in its importance; because let’s face it, not only will “family” do anything for you, but “family” can get offended pretty easily too.
A huge growth blocker at a lot of churches can often be tracked back to staff. Your paid staff, volunteer staff, and high-level volunteers need to be invested in, they need to understand why your church exists, and they need to be able to share that with other people.
when there is a level of ownership that occurs at every level of an organization, success follows.
While I am a firm believer that you should be “investing” in your staff (and even volunteers) all the time, holidays are systematic reminders for you to take inventory and make sure that you are showing some love.
You might be one to scoff at orchestrated holidays such as Valentines. Complaining it’s just a way for stores to create consumerism and take your money, and you might be justified in that complaint. However, unless you are one who regularly goes out of your way to give gifts, write thank you cards, and give positive feedback on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, you can just go ahead and be grateful for all the holidays that push you to consider others.
Let’s face it, we are pretty selfish people, despite the fact that the Bible encourages us to be known by our love, we don’t all walk in John 13:34-35 quite as easily as we wish we did.
So, consider each holiday a gift as they are created to remind you of the things most important to you.
So, let’s get back to it.
V-A-L-E-N-T-I-N-E-S and the best ways to show love to your staff
It’s February, and we’re going to talk about some ways that you can show love to your staff and of course volunteers too.
free or nearly free
-send a personalized email to everyone on your staff, giving them one reason why you appreciate what they do.
-acknowledge each person on your team (or even in a group message) on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
-hand-write a thank you note and show some love to your team (if someone else traditionally fills out your cards, give exact verbiage to your assistant, because this thanks should come from your perspective.)
-send a text message and tell each person on your staff why you are grateful for them.
-email their volunteer team and ask their team to say one kind thing or share one encouraging story, and then present the results to your staff member.
-have your worship leader or creative teens, and young adults at your church go around to each staff person and perform a singing telegram
-host a quick round of the “Oscars” and give an award to each individual on your staff sharing why they are awesome, trophies are a bonus. These ones are less than a $1 a piece.
small investment required
– buy your staff donuts and coffee on valentines, and just tell them how much you love and appreciate them (cost approximately $1.50 a person)
– give each team member a small gift card (ex. $5 for gas, coffee, or a treat) and just say it’s a “small token” for how awesome you think they are.
– host a potluck lunch, where all staff brings something to share (then you just organize it and provide the plates, utensils, and drinks)
– host a midday ice cream float party, provide vanilla ice cream, a few two liters and have fun
-have a midday popsicle party, where everyone gathers for a few minutes and has their favorite popsicle.
-purchase a few cookie cakes that just say, “we love you” and offer everyone a piece.
-buy a box of chocolates for each person on your staff.
-if your team is more “health conscious” than host a midday smoothie party, you could even have everyone bring an ingredient to keep costs down.
-if you want to go all out, take your staff to lunch or have them over to your house for dinner.
bottomline, do something.
Little gestures do so much to create buy-in from your team.
Regarding church staff there is often an idea that if they are ‘called’ to ministry or because they are getting paid, that appreciative tokens are unnecessary. However, there are reasons the world’s leading companies provide free lunch, free dinner, nap rooms and more; it’s because people want to be appreciated for hard work. The Church innately should have a “one up” on a traditional company, because there is a sense that your work matters because it’s eternal. However, statistics still point to burn out in churches, which means being ‘called’ to ministry, might not always be enough.
“Small” gestures like these suggested done on a regular basis can make a big difference, and when your church can afford a “big” gesture, don’t hesitate to do that too.
This month we are talking about all the reasons that the Church makes us swoon. Show your staff some love this month and make them swoon too.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”