For ministry leaders, workers, volunteers, and any other person over the age of 25 reading this column, keep these seven words in mind for the next few weeks: ‘Tis the season for peppermint and chocolate.
You can read leadership and volunteer strategy books until you go blind, attend a ministry conference every week of the year (quite possible these days), or click on the 32,800,000 Google hits for “ministry leadership,” and you won’t find any coaching that includes those seven words. Too bad. But keep them in mind, my friend, and you will prosper.
Some might wonder if this column intends to promote peppermint mochas—the apex of the coffee-drinking year. Sorry to disappoint you, but this column addresses a ministry need and leaves baristas to fend for themselves. For now.
You likely will have a small army, maybe a platoon, that volunteers during your upcoming Christmas Eve services. Another group, hopefully different folks, that will help December 26. Your challenge? When they arrive to help, thank them well.
I stumbled across an idea that proved to be a golden tradition. Someone at an amateur coffee shop once shared a “secret recipe” to enjoy the great taste of peppermint and chocolate in java without spending a lot. Simply throw a couple of Hershey kisses and a broken candy cane into your steaming cup, stir for a few moments, and drink.
Warning: This does not work! Instead, I downed cup after cup of nearly unflavored coffee with brown sludge at the bottom, and nearly choked on sharp remnants of candy cane.
My next challenge: What to do with my bulk purchase of peppermint and chocolate candies?
Then someone made the brilliant, yes brilliant, suggestion to give away the sweets. During the first of several Christmas Eve services, I visited each children’s ministry room well before kids arrived and said thank you to each volunteer. At the same time, I offered them a small indulgence from a basket filled with peppermint and chocolate.
Nearly everyone took a treat. And everyone appreciated the gesture. I had to make multiple trips to a nearby store to replenish my supply. Our ministry repeated this for holiday seasons that followed.
Sure, people enjoyed the smooth, nearly decadent combination of peppermint and chocolate. More important, though, they left with a great taste called appreciation. Nothing can replace a personal, on-the-spot, real time “thank you.” The candy simply provided an exclamation point.
When you appreciate volunteers, especially in an unexpected way, they are more likely to serve again. Maybe even sign up for a regular rotation. Prepare to be amazed at what happens. Just from a candy cane, chocolate kiss, and appreciation with a smile.
Yes, other ministries offer holiday goodies—that sit on a table. Avoid such a minimalist approach. Pick up the basket, walk up to people, and appreciate them. Such a simple approach. So often overlooked.
The do-it-yourself approach to peppermint and chocolate never did work for my coffee. Something better came along.
Following several days of frustration, a member of our ministry team handed me a gift. I awkwardly removed the wrapping paper as she stood in front of me with a big smile. “Something special for the holiday season,” she said. A single tear formed in my right eye as I held a canister of chocolate/peppermint mix designed for coffee.
Oh how the gift possibilities prove endless when you remember these seven words: ‘Tis the season for peppermint and chocolate.
Remember, though, the season goes by fast. So make sure to give a warm, heartfelt thanks to that barista who serves your next peppermint mocha. Soon we’ll return to regular coffee.
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David Staal, senior editor of Today’s Children’s Ministry, serves as the president of Kids Hope USA, a national non-profit organization that partners local churches with elementary schools to provide mentors for at-risk students. Prior to this assignment, David led Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. David is the author of Words Kids Need to Hear (2008) and lives in Grand Haven, Michigan, with his wife Becky, son Scott, and daughter Erin. Interested in David speaking at your event? Click here
©2010, David Staal
