Once a year we roll out the red carpet to honor all our volunteers who make Cross Point such a special place. We’ve done this every year since we started the church six years ago. The first year was as simple as meeting in a community clubhouse with a few finger foods. We looked the volunteers in the eye and told them that “they matter”. We told them how important they are to what we believe God is doing here at Cross Point.
Now, six years later, there are a few more bells and whistles to the production, but the bottom line is still the same…. we want to tell our volunteers “We need you”. On a human level they are the most important resource we have. Last night we had the opportunity to honor 520 of Cross Point’s lead volunteers!
If you volunteer at either our Nashville Campus or our Dickson Campus I hope you know how much we appreciate and love you. Last night was just a small way we could say “Thank You”
Here’s a little fun behind the scenes video of the night..
[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/1599854]
What I would love to know from you is this:
- If you volunteer in a church what makes you feel appreciated?
- If you’re a church staff member what are you doing to show your volunteers they’re appreicated?
Pete
It was a great night. It’s awesome to see what is going on in the life of Cross Point and how CP is touching (and changing) the world around it. Faithfully being obedient makes amazing things happen…
This was my first Gala and I already cannot wait until next year! I had such a wonderful time! It was strange seeing my face that large on the screen! LOL! Thank you for everything that you you guys do! My life has been totally changed by CP volunteers! It was wonderful to finally meet Brandi and I look forward to seeing you in Dickson this weekend!
I haven’t been able to attend church in a few years, but when I did I was involved in about every aspect. My favorite things to do were retreats, liturgy planning and cantoring (music). I honestly think I feel more appreciated now through the small gestures people have shown than I did then when I was able to volunteer.
Periodically I’ll get a note in the mail from the deacon at our church and he’ll tell me what song they sang at Mass and how he remembers me singing it and touching hearts. Or one of my friends will tell me about someone at church who asked about me or remembered a talk I gave. I’ve had the priviledge of getting to see that even after I was gone, the amall things I did to volunteer had a lasting impact on a few people. I couldn’t feel more appreciated than knowing that.
I think nights like you had are amazing and wonderful. I think the small notes saying that you are noticed and make a difference are equally as important. At least they have been to me.
sara
http://www.gitzengirl.blogspot.com
@sara, You’re right. I think the personal touch with volunteers goes a long way!
pete – you all do SO many things right! this is truly fantastic!
Very cool!
Funny you should say something about this Pete! We are having a Volunteer Appreciation Day in October. It will correspond with our 4th anniversary celebration because volunteers are who get us by and keep us going. What did you do that night? Did you give them a little something? Would love to hear more info.
What makes a volunteer appreciated?~ I like to say it the way Maxwell says it, “People don’t want to know how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Furthermore, remember that it is usually the 20% doing 80% of the work. Love them in a way that God does, by “knowing” them in more than a, “hello brother or sister so n’ so. And Yes, big churches can have a small appeal, just never lose the one thing….”intimacy.”
As a church volunteer, I keep reminding myself that I probably wouldn’t have had the initiative to sign up had it not been for a pastor who searched me out and said, Kristen, I think you’d be great at this. As a church staff member, we have a similar volunteer appreciation night on a small scale compared to yours, but i keep trying to come up with little things I can throughout the year to let them know I don’t take them for granted. I find our church very staff-run, and we don’t seek out a lot of volunteers. We find people around here to be overscheduled and church isn’t a top priority. I think maybe you planted the seed to make me wanna dig deeper to see what I can do to make changes in those areas. Thanks Pete.
First of all, what a wonderful event to show appreciation for your church volunteers. I believe that in my own personal experience when I volunteered and gave of myself, I felt the influence of the Spirit of the Lord in my soul. It was easier to maintain that spirit of service when the church leaders were engaged with the volunteers and encouraged them in that service.
I truly believe that it is in the volunteer work that a congregation truly bonds together. There is something about rolling up your sleeves and putting the gospel into a practical endeavor that does much to enlarge the heart and deepen the soul.
What a great night and an awesome production! You guys have outdone yourselves once again. Way to go!
I love to volunteer because it “fills my cup” so to speak. I really feel close to the Lord when I’m working in His house and serving with His people.
Thank you for recognizing us. It’s not necessary, but it’s sweet!!
That looked so awesome. I’m sure your volunteers feel so special and appreciated.
Nice work on the “Loving Feeling” song too. Who knew you had such an amazing voice?
Our church annually throws a big catered celebration where us staff and the spouses of the married staff members serve our volunteers and put on a small show for them. We do this at a very famous steakhouse and ranch out in the county and just the location alone makes our volunteers feel appreciated because most of them would never have the financial means to step foot in that steakhouse on their own.
For my youth ministry leaders, I budget money each year to throw them a “youth-leaders-only” appreciation dinner aside from the church-wide dinner. This year I gave them a gas card and we spent some great time sharing wins and praying for each other.
I also verbally thank them (privately and publicly) whenever I can, and I send them thank you cards periodically throughout the year. I love and appreciate volunteers at my church and I try to let them know that whenever I can.
– Ariel
Wow. Very cool.
I am not sure exactly how to answer your questions on appreciation.
I have volunteered off and on for years in my church but don’t recall any kind of celebration for us and our help.
I always feel amazing from the help I provide which I guess is what keeps me wanting to do more.
It would be fun though if our church did something like this.
Keep it up, you all have something very special!
@ Ariel, Great ideas man. I think we can all do better as leaders at encouraging our volunteers.
Awesome Pete! Great way to appreciate your volunteers. I’m sure they feel loved! I think just a ‘Thank you, you make a big difference in our church community.’, is the way I have been thanked for the volunteering I do at our church. Much love, Jen from Cali
I try very hard to love on my team. I send alot of cards. I pray personally with my team and hug them. And every year we hold a big Christmas Bash where I hand out some small gifts and speak personally about each team member and the impact they have on us all. EAch week when I pray I try to remind them they are partners in eternity. So I HOPE they feel appreciated and loved…..that is my intention.
Oh and we do a team retreat each year – cray awards, lots of worship, great food – it’s the highlight of our year.
That was great!!
I just became the volunteer director. I love loving on my friends whom volunteer with me. Thanks for some fresh ideas.
You guys rock!!!
SO MUCH FUN!!!! what a great night
Honestly just a plain thank you every once in a while would do me good (lol). Loved watching the video. Volunteer appreciation programs are foreign in the traditional church. Will have to initiate at our new church.
So here it is THREE DAYS after the fact, and I’m not sure you get posts this late, but I had to add my sob story. We were dressed, running a little late, but on our way out the door when Ken realized he’d locked us out, with no keys to drive. Yeah. That was fun. Needless to say we HAD TO MISS ALL THE FUN!!! So this comes as a THANK YOU for sharing the highlight video for those of us who DIDN’T GET THERE!! (Upset? Who me?)
Wow! You guys really know how to say, “Thank you!” That, “How ya doin’” guy in the vid must be from Jersey
I am still smiling about our Gala. I was not ready for the red carpet to be rolled out in such high fashion for us who have the privilege of serving. We should be doing this for you and Chad and the other Leaders in our Church. The attention to detail to the entrance, to the table decorations, to the videos and songs…it is so evident there were many hours of prayer, thought, time and energy that went into this event. Coming from the Dickson campus I know we all felt like it was 1 church in 2 locations, you all truly embraced everyone the same. I have been talking about this to everyone. When I came home I told my husband, with tears in my eyes, about what an awesome opportunity we have to be a part of a church that welcome’s everyone, believes that no one is perfect and that anything is possible…and not just saying it but living it!! I praise the Lord every day for what He is doing through our church. Thanks again from the bottom of a very grateful heart!