When considering best practices for ministry it is important for church leaders to pay attention to nurturing and sustaining volunteers. Sometimes we focus so much energy and spiritual discernment on the recruitment process that we forget to provide the support that will enable our volunteers to be successful in their assigned tasks while experiencing delight in their ministry. There are a myriad of ways to undertake this work. But one is both simple and powerful: writing thank-you notes.

 
 It is essential that we find ways to express our gratitude to the people who are freely offering their time, talent and treasure. When we make that expression something more than a perfunctory politeness, our volunteers feel not only appreciated but also empowered. By writing individual thank-you notes, we are intentionally pausing to recognize the specific gifts that create the possibility for active ministry in our congregations. Just as writing in a journal can be a form of meditation, writing thank-you notes can be more than an expression of gratitude to others; it can become a form of prayer. And when a volunteer receives a thank-you note, they become aware that someone has paused long enough to notice that they have given the gift of themselves. Learning they are valued by the larger community makes people feel that what they are doing is a meaningful and matters. And that is a strong motivator!

• Is there someone you need to send a thank-you note to today?
   
• How will you express your appreciation?
   
• How can you get into a rhythm of regularly expressing gratitude to your volunteers?