Start the New Year Off With a Bang - Show Appreciation for Your Servant Leaders
January is typically the month for resolutions, fresh perspectives, and new beginnings. The new year is often a time to start anew and create new pathways. How does your church utilize this unique time of year for Kingdom impact?
In the life of the church, January often means existing leaders are stepping off and a new set of leaders are stepping into ministry and leadership positions. Often these leaders have been elected or appointed to these positions during the preceding fall, but their effective date is January 1st. Frequently, January comes and goes without much acknowledgement of these transitions.
January is a perfect time to celebrate those who will be stepping out of ministry and leadership positions and those who are stepping into new leadership and ministry positions. Having a time of celebration during a January worship service is an excellent way to bring recognition and show appreciation to those servant leaders. Here are some considerations as you plan this celebration service:
Send out special invitations to those who will be honored. This is a special time, so those extra touches and attention to detail can make a real difference for those who will be celebrated.
Consider reserved seating in the worship space for the honored servant leaders and their families.
During the worship service, invite outgoing servant leaders to come forward. Introduce them to the congregation along with the area of ministry they have served. Share a brief statement for how they have impacted the ministry area they served. Present them with a small gift or certificate of appreciation. Offer a prayer of appreciation for their service.
Invite the incoming servant leaders to come forward. Introduce each along with sharing the ministry area they will be serving. Share a brief statement outlining why each servant leader feels called into their particular ministry area during this season. Commission them for service and offer a blessing.
Invite the congregation to stand and extend their hands during the prayers for both groups. Ask the congregation to keep these leaders in their prayers for guidance, wisdom, endurance, and strength.
Consider a reception, luncheon, or potluck following the worship service.
This might also be a time to celebrate paid staff and show appreciation for their ministry, too.
Include a related servant leader sermon for this special recognition Sunday.
These simple gestures can go a long way in elevating disciples’ desire and confidence to serve in ministry. Appreciation is an under utilized act of human connection. I am reminded of William Arthur Ward’s quote, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” How will you celebrate your servant leaders this month?
