Stop, Drop & Roll

Thanksgiving is a time to Stop, Drop and Roll. While the “Stop, Drop and Roll of Thanksgiving” is not a fire safety drill, I will admit thanksgiving will get your staff fired up. There’s nothing quite like sincere appreciation to get folks fired up again, but that’s not your objective. Your thanksgiving objective is simple- to express heartfelt thanks.

 Which brings us to the first step –stop. You can’t express something that you don’t feel. Flattery is manipulative and the farthest thing from sincere appreciation. It is shallow and self serving. Appreciation comes from recognizing what someone does, who they are and the sacrifices they make to do what they do. You can’t really appreciate someone unless you take the time to notice what they do. Frank Crane said “Love is not blind. Love is the only thing that sees.”  Stop and notice, observe, really see what your staff does to make children ministry effective in your church.

 Drop your guard. Drop the walls that make you feel like somebody special and look at ministry through their eyes. Take the time to listen to your staff. Really hear them. Look them in the eyes. Care about them. Laugh at their jokes. Value them, even when they are not perfect. Practice unconditional love.

 Roll out the red carpet. Make them feel special. Ladies love flowers. Most men love food. Everyone loves chocolate. (Please don’t tell me I’m wrong about that one.) Write little notes expressing specific things you appreciate about them. Attach a small candy treat. Steve Greer has great ideas on his CDs that can help you express your appreciation all year long.