HONORING VETERANS
Early in a new pastorate I met two Army veterans in their early 70’s attending our church. They understated their war experience, as did their wives, who endured the war working and waiting at home. But I felt an urgency to honor them and other veterans in the church. Veterans Day was coming up, a natural time to show appreciation.
Six weeks before the holiday, I asked each veteran in the congregation to submit a brief history of his or her military service in preparation for a special service on Veterans Day Sunday. The information dribbled in, turning up 13 veterans in a congregation of 130.
On Veterans Day, we sang patriotic hymns and then at sermon time, I read from Romans 13:7, emphasizing the phrase, “Give everyone what you owe him … if honor, then honor.” Then I said, “Today we will not merely consider God’s Word, we will do it.” I called on each veteran to stand while I read his brief history. Then I repeated his name and said, “We honor you today.”
The congregation burst into applause for each vet-eran. It was one of the most moving services I have ever conducted.
Following the service, we continued the celebration at a potluck dinner, and we posted each vet’s service record. The celebration helped many discover common ground and new friendships.
The wife of one World War II veteran told me, “My husband attended church all of his life. He told me you’re the first minister who said anything appreciative about his military service.”
–Jay Dudley
Northridge Church of God
Fair Oaks, California
WELCOMING VISITORS
Twelve Corners Baptist Church in Noble, Oklahoma, has found a better way to welcome visitors: personal letters from kids. Copies of visitor registration cards are passed out at Sunday evening worship services. Members, and especially children, are encouraged to write notes expressing appreciation for the visit and telling how they feel about the church. Most visitors return, overwhelmed with the response of people; some tell of receiving 30 or more notes following their first visit.
–David Henson
FABULOUS FRIDAY
Our summer Vacation Bible School has always had a successful outreach; our members have been committed to it. Could we draw on that commitment to do something similar during the school year?
We wanted an exciting program–memory work and rewards, quality crafts, and dramatic Bible stories–but without the hassle and expense. Our small church lacked the staff and finances to run a full-scale pre-school program, so here’s what we developed:
During the school year, the first Friday of each month is Fabulous Friday: Parents’ Night Out. We host children up to the sixth grade while their parents go out on a date, accomplish a task, or just spend time together.
We ask the children to share events of the past week and sing songs. Then we divide the children into age groups for games, crafts, memory work, and a Bible story.
Some leaders are there every Fabulous Friday, while our twelve craft leaders lead a craft only once a year. The three Bible story teachers prepare a story only once every three months and tell the same story three times an evening, gearing it for each age group. As a result, our leaders don’t burn out, and we’ve found people willing to substitute.
Fabulous Friday: Parents’ Night Out has been perceived by some as free, constructive, and reliable child care. But we know it’s more. Parents find time for rejuvenation. We model servanthood and commitment to Christ. And the children hear the good news of Jesus Christ. (Nearly half the children who attend are unchurched.)
–Roger Ellis
First Evangelical Free Church
Topeka, Kansas
WHAT’S WORKED FOR YOU?
What program or activity has worked well in your church? Leadership pays $25 or more for each published account of fresh and effective ministry. Send your description to: Ideas That Work, Leadership, 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188. Or e-mail it to LeaderJ@aol.com.
Copyright (c) 1995 Christianity Today, Inc./LEADERSHIP Journal
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Copyright © 1995 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
