What Is the Recipe for Retention of Church Workers? – Third Ingredient - - Encourage Serving

Appreciation of others is an art. Appreciation is to value highly. It's critical to all relationships. And not just Lutheran relationships.

That’s right, all relationships, e.g., family, fellow church workers, church staff, friends, and even the briefest of relationships, like the person you encountered at a store checkout, and you may never see again. Showing appreciation for someone says a lot about you as well as the other person, and can be very telling.

“There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.” - Mother Teresa

Fellow workers and fellow members in a congregation want to feel appreciated. It really makes a difference for them. Don't overlook showing appreciation for volunteers, elected leaders, committee members, janitors, organists, choir members, acolytes, crucifers, banner bearers, and others. It goes a long way.

Showing appreciation for others and the congregation you serve, and being pleasant in your relationships, will get you much farther than being perceived as demanding, overly serious, rude, or filled with yourself and your authority. St. Paul gives us some practical advice, “I . . . beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.” And, “. . . pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.” And again, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

I cannot tell you how many times church members have told me of an unappreciative church worker, especially if it’s a pastor. Appreciation validates people, it makes them know they matter, and it makes them feel better about themselves. It helps them develop skills and awareness of the needs of others, and what it means to be of service and give back to the church and to the world in big and small ways. Appreciation has a way of being contagious, and creating positive energy that stays with the people and the place. Appreciation has a way of returning. Let it be a habit.

Appreciation deepens relationships. Life is just easier, happier, more encouraging, and more meaningful.

I appreciate you reading this article. I would like to read your Comments.

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” - Voltaire

Comments for What Is the Recipe for Retention of Church Workers? – Third Ingredient -

Tuesday, August 2, 2011 by David Meggers:: I really hope that this gets read, desseminated and shared in staff meetings, councils and boards of directors. What a contrast to the attitude of "entitlement" that is all too pervasive, even in the church and among its workers. So, I sincerely appreciate this post, your past-tutelage in the classroom, and will endeavor to be appreciative and a bringer of Joy in Jesus.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 by Dean:: Don't show your appreciation in a hurry. Don't say the words you want to say in a hallway. Call the person to your room or their place where you can spend quality time and express your appreciation. Pastors in particular should make appreciation a ritual that is remembered. Many times when the appreciation is done in a special manner it has profound effect and a lifetime impact. I remember when others received special attention. It has a positive effect not only on the person who receives the appreciation but also on others.

See some services of appreciation in the Lutheran Worship Book agenda, many times forgotten in congregational life: Reception of members by transfer or profession of faith, farewell and Godspeed to members, blessing of a mother after childbirth, blessing of a civil marriage, anniversary or affirmation of holy matrimony, anniversary of an ordination/recognition of faithful service, farewell and Godspeed to a church work student, farewell and Godspeed to a candidate for commissioning, anniversary of a commissioning/recognition of faithful service, recognition of servants of the congregation, blessing of a home, and blessing of a Bible for use in home or school. All of these lend themselves to fostering the spirit of appreciation for others in a special way.
Thursday, August 11, 2011 by Wilhelm Weber:: Dear Dr.Hempelmann: Love your picture of Leriba in Pretoria! Thanks for your regular posting and helpful insights. They are very much appreciated!
Thursday, August 11, 2011 by Barbara:: Thank you for this excellent and necessary reminder. Verbal encouragement should be a habit for all church workers, especially leaders such as school/college administrators and pastors. In 32 years as a church worker, I recall only one encouraging comment from an administrator, but many notes and personal thanks from my colleagues. I've wondered why? What stops pastors and administrators from complimenting their volunteers or workers? Do they see their work as "expected" so they don't need special appreciation? Do they feel it puts the subordinate in a "one-up" position? It's a mystery to me. Thank you for this message. Positive morale among church workers will go far in extending the blessings of God's Kingdom to others.
Thursday, August 11, 2011 by Carl Streufert, Bflo., NY:: Thank you, Dean, for your comments about appreciation. Your words
struck responsive chords here. I shall also retire on Aug. 31, after 60 years in ministry. Appreciation is a two way street as you noted. And
as our Lord said, "He who honors you, honors Me." The Lord bless your next years ahead. Carl St. Louis Sem '50
Thursday, August 11, 2011 by Padre Dave Poedel, STS:: Appreciation is cross-cultural. I just returned from leading a mission trip to Poland and I made a point to deliberately show appreciation to my team and to our hosts. The deliberate acts of appreciation, being sensitive to the difference in culture, were received warmly.

A sign of cultural difference: Poles are not "huggers". My wife set up a scavenger hunt for the children, and one of the items on the hunt was "Receive a hug from Padre Dave". The first teams of Polish children came up to me asking "What is this "hoog"? When I hugged them, they smiled and thanked me, though it was rather awkward. One 13 year old boy came to me afterwards and said "Pastor Dawe, I like these "hoogs", may I have another?" He turned into the "hoogiest" child in camp. Just one act of appreciation that can be applied even in our American congregations.

Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Friday, August 12, 2011 by Dean:: Thanks for the comments. Congratulations to Pastor Streufert for his faithful 60 years in the ministry! A great gift of God.

Truly, appreciation is cross-cultural, and it needs to be practiced by all of us. Be sure to share the post with others of your friends. Thanks.
Saturday, December 10, 2011 by Carrie:: Could it be that church members and parents of students are always complaining and seldom appreciate what church workers do? That's not a reason for church members not to appreciate what their volunteers and other staff workers do. In 30 plus years of teaching in Lutheran school, very few parents and co-workers have said anything about appreciating what I have done for the school or church. I'd like to say it's ignorance on everyone's part or just too busy to think about it. I'm a principal overseas and I'm trying my best to remember to tell my teachers how much I appreciate what they do for the students, but at times I forget. Lord please forgive me and all others who want to show their appreciation and seldom do for whatever reason.