Here’s this month’s article from the Indiana Baptist. This would be a great New Year project for a church!

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Fresh Ideas

The 52 Challenge

By Diana Davis

“…Compel them to come in so that My house will be filled.” Luke 14:23b

Amazingly, nine out of ten unchurched people say they would come to church if they were asked.* Will you be the asker? I double-dare you to take the “52 Challenge”:

Step#1: Think of one person you know who doesn’t attend church. Only one. Invite that person to your church this Sunday and arrange to meet at the front door. Write their name on Sunday’s date in your personal calendar.  

Step #2: Commit to God that you will repeat that process weekly for one year.  Don’t know 52 lost people? Don’t fret.  Just ask God’s direction and watch for one person to invite this week.  Suddenly, you’ll notice masses of lost people around you. Need ideas?

• As you walk the dog and observe a neighbor outside, remember the 52 Challenge.
• Ask that friend you’ve been intending to invite.
• Invite the Wal-Mart greeter. How about your hairstylist, doctor, tax advisor or landlord?
• In the post office or grocery line, or riding the bus, converse with someone who needs an invitation.
• Make a list of relatives, acquaintances or neighbors, and systematically invite them.
• During coffee break at work or chatting with the butcher or working out at the gym, think “52.”
• Who could you invite at the PTA meeting, reunion, company picnic or ball game? 
• Ask your new neighbor, car salesman, insurance agent or sister-in-law. Invite your mail carrier, restaurant waiter, fireman, repairman, or mayor.  

During the next 52 weeks, write the name of the person you invite to church on every Sunday’s box of your calendar.  52 weeks. 52 people. One week at a time.

The 52 Challenge is for individuals, but a church can encourage personal invitations by providing “invitation business cards” with church address, worship times and website.  Attendance more than doubles at Plymouth Baptist’s annual Friend Day. How? Each member simply invites one friend.

What would happen if every Christian in Illiniois committed to ask just one person to church every week this year? They’re waiting for an invitation, and eternity is at stake.  Will you take the 52 Challenge? 

(*Statistic from Thom Rainer’s book, The Unchurched Next Door, Zondervan).  

“give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord.”

I Thessalonians 5:12-13

Each October, many churches designate a day to show appreciation to their pastor and church ministerial staff member. 

October is quickly passing. If your church hasn’t expressed appreciation, it’s not too late. There are dozens of personal ways your church (or you) can express thanks and love to the leader God gave your church.

Here’s an excerpt of ideas from my book, Fresh Ideas (B&H Publishing) with some ideas I think you’ll enjoy.

One Fishing Lure

Determine one small item your pastor enjoys, such as M&Ms, fishing lures, popcorn, coffee, or golf balls. Ask each church member, including youth and children, to bring one of that item on Pastor Appreciation Sunday. For example, each family member will bring one bag, any size, of peanut M&Ms. Bring extras for guests and forgetful members. As your church thanks God for your pastor on Sunday, each member can walk to the front and place their token of love in a large basket. 

The Church Building & the Church

Present your pastor with a beautifully framed photo or painting of the church building. Use an extra wide matting and ask all church members to sign the mat before adding glass.

E-Pounding

Distribute your minister’s e-mail address to all church or class members, asking each one to send an e-mail note, describing something specific that they appreciate about their pastor. E-mails should be sent one specific day or week, creating an e-pounding of blessings!

Text-Pounding

Use the same basic idea, but ask each member to send a text-message to the pastor or staff member. 

Puzzle Gift

Order a jigsaw puzzle with a photo of your church family or church building.  Internet puzzle companies make 100 or 1000 piece puzzles from a photo.

Love Our Pastor

Take out a full-page ad in your local newspaper, featuring a photo of your pastor with each church member’s signature around it.  Include a declaration of your church’s love and appreciation for your pastor.

Lotsa Notes

Give each church member a stamped envelope that is pre-addressed to your minister’s home. Ask them to send a very specific, personal note of appreciation this week.

Make It a Month

As a church, deacon body, ladies group, choir or youth group, make October a true month of appreciation for your pastor. Ask individual volunteers from the group to write their name on one day of an October calendar. On the assigned day, that person expresses appreciation to the pastor in a unique way. Each day will be different. The pastor might receive a letter or gift. It could be a meal, a shoeshine or a “thank you” balloon bouquet. After a whole month of pleasant surprises, won’t your pastor feel appreciated? And won’t God be honored by your acts of love for His servant?

While You Were Out

Hanover Baptist in Indiana surprised their pastor with a gorgeous new home office. With his wife’s input, of course, they worked with a decorator and volunteers to turn a spare room into a home office while the pastor was out of town. They did paint, wallpaper, window coverings, shelves, desk, chair, computer, and decorator items.

Gift of Prayer

Give your pastor the gift of prayer. Create a chart, and allow members to choose a specific time that they will commit to pray weekly for the pastor this next year.  They do not need to come to a specific place—just pray on their way to work or pray each Tuesday at 2 PM. The project could be done by a deacon group, choir, class or the entire church. Present the prayer promise chart to the pastor as a gift. Then remember to pray!  

A Class Idea

All the Sunday School classes of the church could pool their resources to purchase a full set of Bible commentaries. Every individual class could sign inside one of the books, then present it as a gift from their class.

Gift from Deacons

Each deacon purchases a gift certificate to a restaurant, carwash, coffee shop, or book store. He writes a personal note on the back, then all coupons are placed inside a card for the pastor.

Gift from Kids

Wouldn’t it be fun for every child at church to create a signed bookmark for their pastor or children’s pastor, using cardstock paper, crayons or markers?  Laminate the bookmarks, and then call all the children forward at the end of worship to put their bookmarks in a basket for the pastor.

Gift from Youth

Create huge poster board hearts and a giant love note for everyone to read. Place them on stakes in your pastor’s front yard during pastor appreciation day. You could add balloons, but not toilet paper.

More Ideas for a Gift from the Church

Restaurant certificates, magazine subscription, tires, Bible software, a trip, a book, theatre or sports tickets, flowers for his wife, babysitting coupons, a new car, a grandfather clock, a suit for pastor and a dress for his wife, a new car, a new desk, home landscaping. 

Your church demonstrates appreciation, but how can you, as an individual church member, honor and encourage your ministers? A few fresh ideas:

Say It

Write your minister an encouraging note the first day of every month this year. Tell him how last Sunday’s sermon impacted your week. Take him to lunch and tell him how much you appreciate him as your pastor.

Stay Awake In Church

Sit near the front during worship every Sunday during Pastor Appreciation Month. Actively listen during the sermon. Make eye contact. Nod your head. Take notes. Say “amen” at an appropriate time.

May I Borrow Your Car?

As a special surprise during Minister Appreciation Week, borrow your pastor’s car and have it detailed, oiled and lubed, washed and gassed.

Brag about Him

Brag about your pastor every chance you get - and not just at church. Write a letter to the editor of a local newspaper during Minister Appreciation Month to compliment your minister. Introduce him to your friends and work associates.

“Pastor”

Show respect by calling him “pastor.”

Personalized T

During Minister Appreciation Week, present him a “Best Pastor in Madison” t-shirt, substituting your town’s name.

Me First

Be the first church member to volunteer for something. Accompany your pastor on ministry visits. Show up early for church and help. Stay late and help. Faithfully and joyfully use your spiritual gifts within the church body.

Take Care

During Minister Appreciation Week, anonymously mow and edge your pastor’s lawn. Provide a generous book allowance for him in your church budget. Be sure that he’s paid an appropriate salary. If he has houseguests coming again, deliver a great casserole. Exempt clergy from bringing dishes to pitch-in dinners.

Love His Family

Do something special for your pastor’s wife. Help pay for his teens to attend the church’s youth retreat. Babysit his kids for free during a wedding or funeral. Include his family in your holiday celebration. Help his children apply for college scholarships. Deliver a Thanksgiving turkey to his house.

Quit Complaining.

Quit complaining. Quit complaining. Quit complaining. 

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Excerpts from Fresh Ideas–1000 Ways to Grow a Thriving & Energetic Church, B&H Publishing, 2007.

Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry is featured in a two-page spread in B&H Publishing Group’s new Ministry Resource Catalog! 

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Ladies Retreat Idea:

The Whitewater Association’s women’s retreat today was such fun! I enjoyed facilitating a packed classroom of pastor wives, and encouraging them in their ministries.  I also had the privilege of leading a class about women’s ministry, and had a great group of women in that class, too. 

Their retreat theme was “Tree of Life” using these Scriptures:

First, the true wisdom “is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her” (Proverbs 3:18).

That true wisdom can be none other than Christ (I Corinthians 1:30, Colossians 2:3).

One lady created a beautiful wall-sized tree visual with the Scripture and theme, and breakout classes centered around wisdom from God. 

One thing I especially enjoyed was the relaxed schedule. Though they had plenty of group time and breakout classes and music and testimonies, the overall time felt calm and very relaxed.  Fun retreat!

Diana,

I would like to start back a secret sister program but change it more to a prayer partner.

Am I mixing polar ideas? or how can we get prayer partners going.

Keep on shining!

Diana

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NEW ARTICLE:   Check out our newest “He Said/She Said” article in this month’s Deacon Magazine (Winter 08 issue). Steve and I write this regular column of ideas for deacons and deacon wives. You’ll like this one!

No matter your age, there is a younger woman in your church that God would have you mentor. 

I love encouraging women on this topic, and enjoyed leading a retreat on the subject.  Here’s one of the handouts.  Take a look at these simple tips to get started:

A Few Small Hints for a

Mentor

Do it.  Mentor. Be mentored. Set an example for others by mentoring.

Who will you mentor as a Christian woman? _______________________________________________________________________

Informal or informal. Make a plan.________________________________

First:

1      Be reverent in the way YOU live…

1      Not slanderers

1      Worthy of respect

      1    Teach what is good.

Then:   

Spend at least a few minutes together every week.

             Can only teach if you spend time. When? ___________________

             Listen carefully to her story.        

Use Titus 2:3-6 as a checklist guide after each meeting together: Encourage her…

1     To love her husband. Teach by example and encouragement

1     To love her children. Learn her children’s names. Be there when it counts.

1     To be self-controlled. Model self-control in difficult areas: Spending, eating, time management, priorities, temper, chocolate.

1     To be pure. Modesty. Motives. Priorities

1     To be busy at home. Not busybodies

1     To be kind

1     To be subject to her husband

Be approachable.

Speak well of her.

Introduce her to your friends.

Sit by her occasionally at church…

Remember the pig. (Proverbs 11:22)

Love her in spite of her imperfections.

Invite her to your home at least once.

Occasionally write a Scripture for her.

Help her discover and use her spiritual gifts.

Occasionally invite her out for coffee or lunch.

Recommend great Christian books you enjoy.

Include her in ministry with you when possible.

Set an example of joyful service in the church.

Put her birthday and anniversary on your calendar.

Pray for her daily. How can I pray for you? How has God been working in your life this week?

Always pray aloud for her. Bible study? Read same Christian book? Chats?

Set a great example for younger women in every area of life–body language, dress, attitude.

Just returned from a women’s retreat with Southside Baptist Church, and thought you might enjoy a couple of ideas I observed there. 

1)  Permeated theme.  My theme, “SHINE!”, was used everywhere! They prepared mini-skits for promotion in the church. For example, one lady arrives onstage laden with floodlights and Christmas lights and lanterns, etc. She states, “I heard they’re going to SHINE at the retreat, and I wanted to get a head start!”  There were stars and lights and candles everywhere–nametags, ceilings, notebooks, gift bags, entryway, etc. 

2)  Smile Prayer.  The team invited Sarah Bohrer and Heidi Hackney to lead worship–can’t beat that team!  Sarah also led a sun-up devotional time outside on the patio. Her conclusion was a time of encouragement and prayer like I’ve never seen before. She asked everyone to stand silently in a large circle. As they prayed for others in the circle, they were to make eye contact and smile as they prayed silently.  It was a very special time of silent (and personal) prayer for one another.

3) Photo Finish.  I’ve used this idea for staff parties, but it was absolutely perfect for a ladies retreat.  On the first evening of the retreat, the entire group was posed for a group photo. The next day, as ladies departed for home, they were presented with a small shine-themed gift, and a copy of the group photo. What a lovely surprise!  One team member’s husband took the photos and had copies made. If budget allows, you could even pick up cute frames at the dollar store for the photos. 

4) A visual promo idea. This church uses their group photos for its annual retreat promotion. They post a few group photos from previous years, labeled “Class of ‘02″ or “Class of ‘07″ and a caption, “Will you be in the ‘Class of ‘08′ Photo?”

Ladies’ retreats can be a great time of spiritual refreshment and growth, and can offer a fabulous opportunity for Christian fellowship.  Southside’s planning team did a wonderful job. It’s worth the effort!

New published articles by Diana: 

Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist, September 08 issue

The Indiana Baptist - state convention magazine

Texas Baptist Crossroads magazine - article for Texas’ Baptist’s 10th anniversary

The Illinois Baptist, September issue

The Indiana Baptist, state convention magazine

B&H Publishing Group’s Book & Bible Update newsletter

Oh, you’re going to love reading this! It’s the story of a church who determined that they needed to update their women’s ministry, and how God immediately blessed their efforts to serve Him!! They jumped from a small group to an enormous women’s ministry.

Read every word. You’ll be inspired.

Note: I blipped off the names of ladies in the church and just put xxx.

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BEGINNING HISTORY OF LIGHT

FALL, 2008 

      On May 18, 2008, each woman in First Baptist Church, Canton TX, was asked to complete an extensive survey.  This survey was to determine special interests, desire for fellowship outside the church, extra Bible Study times and what the women were already involved in. 

      The first meeting to begin a program called LIGHT was held on June 27th.  The women present looked at the survey to determine what interests were the greatest and what would be offered during the Fall Semester. 

      LIGHT stands for “Ladies Involved in Going, Helping, and Touching.”  The program for LIGHT consists of 3 components:  Fellowship Classes (designed for “me”), a time of Coffee Fellowship and a Devotional (designed for “us”), and Ministry Classes (designed for “them”); hence, the “going, helping, and touching” aspects of LIGHT. 

      The Mission Statement for LIGHT is:  “to provide opportunities for women to know Jesus Christ, experience spiritual and personal growth, build Christian friendships, and ‘light their world’ with the love of Jesus through ministry.” 

      An overall theme was chosen—“Lighting Our World”—and a beautiful logo was designed to be used in all communication about LIGHT and to depict what the Women’s Ministry at First Baptist Church is all about. 

      The verses chosen for the ministry are Matthew 5:14-16 in which Jesus talks about our being light in a dark world.  The song chosen, “Go Light Your World,” was composed by Chris Rice.  

      The Leadership Team is as follows: 

            Women’s Ministry Coordinators—(2) 

            Fellowship Coordinator—

            Ministry Coordinator—

            Registration Coordinators—

            Luncheon/Special Events Coordinators—

            Publicity Coordinator-

      There will be DayLIGHT and NightLIGHT meeting on alternating Tuesdays beginning with DayLIGHT on September 9^th.  The same classes will be taught in both groups.  DayLIGHT will be from 9:30 A.M.– 12:00 Noon, and NightLIGHT will be from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. 

FELLOWSHIP CLASSES AND TEACHERS for the Fall are  

            …Marriage Enrichment taught by xxx

            …Financial Management taught by xxx

            …Cooking Lite and Healthy taught by xxx

            …Love Crafts taught by xxx

            …Beginning Quilting taught by xxx 

MINISTRY CLASSES AND TEACHERS for the Fall are 

            …Barnabas led by xxx

.  …Hope Crisis Pregnancy Center led by xxx

            …Martha Ministry led by xxx

            …Homebound and Nursing Home led by xxx

            …School Mentoring led by xxx

      xxx has written the devotionals for LIGHT this year. 

      An exciting aspect of LIGHT is the childcare.  GLO (God’s Little Ones) will be led by xxx.  The children will have curriculum- based childcare for both DayLIGHT and NightLIGHT.  Refreshments will be served and recreation led by xxx. 

      The CHAMPS program will be led by xxx.  This is a group of FBC retired teachers who have committed their time for NightLIGHT to tutor and mentor students whose mothers are in classes.  Bible Stories, memory verses, and basic skills and spiritual guidance will be offered.  There will be a time of tutoring and refreshments; and our Minister to Students will plan the recreation time. 

      Special group projects are planned for the year.  Before school began, xxx coordinated gathering school supplies for children of single mothers.  Forty students were supplied with bags.  xxx coordinated the committee and received 1000 recipes from ladies at FBC for our cookbook, Taste and See.  A Birthday Party for the residents in the Nursing Home is planned for September directed by the Women on Mission.  Collection of Thanksgiving baskets for single moms and collections of Christmas toys for Christmas are planned. 

      It was decided that the meetings for LIGHT should be held in the Chapel and in rooms in that building.  There was a great need for the Chapel to be renovated with paint, new carpet, and new accessories.  On Sunday, July 20^th, xxx presented the need at the end of the business conference asking for donated labor and funds to refurbish the Chapel.  Volunteers came immediately to the need; and on Sunday, September 7^th, the Chapel was dedicated to the Lord to be used for His glory.  The verse from Psalm 115.1 is very appropriate:  “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory for your great love and faithfulness.” 

      Because of the need for funds for Kickoff and publicity, xxx coordinated a garage sale at the church Family Life Center on August 22 – 23.  Approximately $2400 dollars were collected for the needs of Women’s Ministry. 

      A skit was presented in the morning worship service on August 24^th with xxx introducing the Fellowship and Ministry Classes through a “Taste and See” skit. 

      The date set for Kickoff for the Fall semester of LIGHT was set for Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 until 11:30 A.M.  This was a time in which booths of everything offered in LIGHT and the total Women’s Ministry Program were set up.  In addition to the booths set up for the classes were booths for Women on Mission, Helping Hands Ministry, Parent’s Day Out, upcoming Special Events, Legacy of Love Conference, Volunteer Opportunities, and Bible Studies offered on different days. 

      The theme for the Kickoff and for the year is “Taste and see that the Lord is good”  (Psalm 34.8).  Teri Sawyer from FBC, Tyler, was enlisted to be the speaker.  Kimberly Abbott, Sign Language Artist from Tyler, and Amy Chalker provided the special music, our theme song, “Go Light Your World.” 

      One hundred twenty-five women came for the Kickoff.  After viewing the booths and choosing where they wanted to be involved, the women heard the program and then took individual candles and lit them from one another and closed the program in prayer and encouraged the women to “Go Light Their World.” 

      The First Annual Women’s Conference will be held on October 18^th, 2008, with Amy Jones from Dallas and her ministry team, “The Journey of Sisters.”  The Christmas Brunch will be held on Saturday, December 6^thwith Chris and Diane Machen, recording artists from Plano providing the program. 
 

Note from Diana: I sent a note to Paula Hearon, the women’s ministry leader, complimenting her on including so many women in planning. Read this great response…

A note from the women’s ministry leader:

Thanks so much, my special friend.  I have tried to listen everywhere I am to really hear what women are saying about their strengths.  If they even mention in a tiny way some area of strength or willingness to get involved (even if they don’t know what I’m about to do!!), I have tried to plug them in.  I was at the house of a retired teacher the other day and she showed me the scrapbook she put together after her son died.  She said she loved to scrapbook—SO…she now has the project of beginning our LIGHT scrapbook!!  The key, as you so well know, is to inspire and let the Lord do the rest.  It’s truly amazing to watch.  There is a lot of untapped talent here.  I’m after it!!!
 
We decided to do DayLIGHT and NightLIGHT to involve as many women as possible.  It would work here because of being a smaller town.  We had 53 in NightLIGHT last Tuesday with visitors from other churches present (which is so much what we desire). The assurance to working women that the same things would be offered them as were the women during the day has been a real plus.  You have to give involvement opportunities, don’t you think?   This isn’t counting the workers we had in CHAMPS and GLO.  This is truly amazing, Diana.  I’ve never experienced anything like this before.  I just wish I had had what I have now earlier in our ministry.  God doesn’t waste any experiences though, and I would not take anything for my “training ground” with you at FBCG.
 
One of the sweetest ministries is our Barnabas Ministry.  A lot of the Night class went in there.  There were 69 names on the board of our church members with Sept. birthdays, the SS teachers,  and others, and every name on the board was written.  Women were carrying out their little envelopes to go mail the next day.  This class will be the one to gather goodies for college and military boxes to be sent, along with other activities.
 
Thank you, Diana, for all your inspiration and encouragement.

Here’s another email I received from a Women’s Ministry Leader:

——————–

“I have been reading your book “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” with great interest and I might even say relief.

You have so many great ideas. The Elders at my church asked me to officially take on the Women’s ministry at my small church. I have at times felt like I am totally out of my league and alone on this crazy path! Last year at one point I was in tears with my Minister’s wife not know what to do next…

and this summer I saw your book, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry, in a book club flier and now I feel like I have a tool to give me some direction.Your book gives me a lot of excitement for possible events to try with our little group.

I don’t want our Ladies group to be a social club, or a craft group. I have been searching for ways to serve God in the community, and here your book has several ideas that maybe our small bunch can try this year.

My question is, you have a great name Light, or Night Light, and I was wondering is there any restrictions to using that name if we decide to? We are getting a bit tired of calling it “Ladies Group” every month! I think the name captures what I have been feeling for a long time, that a simple Women’s group can touch the community by being lights in the valley. (My answer to her question, of course, is “yes, go for it!”)

This month we are doing a tiny kickoff to explain about a Bible study our Pastor’s wife is leading, and our knitting group, and then I am going to hand out a survey to find out what ladies are interested in.  We are going to be a part of Samaratin’s Purse program, so I will send the ladies home with a shopping list and then in October we’ll gather to pack the shoe boxes. 

So you have given me a bump in the direction I was struggling to go!
Thank you for you encouraging book.  I am sure it was no accident that it appeared just when I was struggling!”

Go LIGHT your world, friend!

If you are a leader in your church, here’s a friendly reminder:  October’s coming. 

How will you plan to lead your church to honor the pastor God has give you? 

“…give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord.”

I Thessalonians 5:12-13

Click here to read an excerpt from Fresh Ideas (B&H 07), with a few ideas that might inspire you and help encourage the pastor(s) God has given your church. Keep on shining!

Pastor Appreciation Ideas

Got more ideas for Pastor Appreciation? Click “comments” below and share them.