Church work is hard work. No one should disagree with that. And there are certain times of the year that are more challenging than others. The lead-up to Easter is probably the busiest time around your church.

But the end of the year is another big event-driven time as well. Depending on how you structure your Christmas services, you may have huge outreaches and large-scale services that require multiple departments, volunteers and staff to work tandem over long hours.

And there are other end-of-year responsibilities to check off the list as well. From organizing new volunteers to clearing out storage spaces and doing inventory, there’s so much to finish before you begin ramping up for a new year. The holidays can be exhilarating, but they’re also usually exhausting for all involved.

That’s why there’s no better time than the end of the year to express your gratitude to your staff for a job well done. Recognizing their hard work will provide a needed boost and great encouragement. In fact, Paul points out in 2 Corinthians 4:15 that the hard work of the ministry should result in an overflow of thanksgiving.

Say ‘Thank You’ in a Tangible Way

Everyone loves to hear the words, “Good job.” But there’s something about showing thanks in a tangible way that sticks with a person. When you’re rewarding your staff, think of ways to make it last by keeping it real.

Of course, one tangible reward that is almost universally appreciated is a year-end bonus. Throughout the year, make sure you’ve budgeted for this.

It’s a way to go above and beyond each staff member’s expected salary when they’ve gone above and beyond their expected job description. And when you reward them at the end of the year, it’s especially helpful because it comes at just the right time — when they’re wanting to buy Christmas presents for their families.

Another simple but tangible way to say thanks is with an appreciation dinner. This is not just a quick lunch that you put on the church’s tab. Make it special. Make it memorable. Go all out with your appreciation. Consider catering it in or even having key volunteers in the church prepare and serve the staff as an added thank you.

Another idea is a year-end party or celebration. Have a photographer on hand to take pictures. Hand out plaques or trophies or some other gift to commemorate the occasion. Make it real and lasting by making it tangible.

There’s no better time than the end of the year to express your gratitude to your staff for a job well done.

Get Creative, and Make a Memory

In The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact, authors Chip Heath and Dan Heath tell us that experiences always trump possessions. It’s not about handing someone a check or picking up a tab. It’s about creating a moment that will last a lifetime because it’s memorable.

In reading the book, I learned that our most powerful memories are all centered on four elements: elevation, insight, pride and connection. We can all see the power of elevation and insight while working on a staff, but thanking your team will only increase the pride in their workspace and the connection they feel with each other.

Organizations are all about goals, especially at the end of the year. But people are about moments. No one can remember the bottom line of a spreadsheet when they’re thinking of the good times. They remember that trip you took, the staff retreat that sparked a new wave of ministry, or a dinner with friends that lasted for hours.

Create a memorable moment with your staff. Think of positive ways to encourage comradery and competition. Come up with simple ways to make the memories last. The gift of a moment is really the gift of a memory.

If They Went Big, You Go Big

Some years are just more challenging than others. Despite the hard work and long hours you’ve put in, it feels like each week was working in a salt mine. But hard work always pays off. Reinforce that with your staff when it comes time to appreciate the hard work.

Maybe this was a year of growth and they went above and beyond. You asked them to do more and try new things, and they did it without complaining. Maybe they found a new level of volunteer participation or you saw a record number of visitors. Maybe this year, your staff went big.

If they went big, you go big in showing your appreciation. You can’t go big every year, but know when to bring the wow factor for those special times. Making a splash during those keystone years can propel the church to the next level even faster.

Early in our church, I bought the entire staff iPads. We had doubled in attendance that year, and I wanted to show everyone that I noticed their effort. It also showed that I recognized they deserved it. The hard work they put in was well worth the reward.

We couldn’t hand out MacBooks the next year, but everyone was energized for more work that following year anyway. The reward lasted well into the following years of growth.

Whatever way you think of to show appreciation, don’t hesitate. You may want to go big, but you just can’t. You can still find simple, tangible ways to express your gratitude.

Don’t neglect your staff because you’re too tired or too busy. Take the time to reward your staff, and they will be more likely to stay motivated to keep fulfilling the mission of your church and the growth of the Kingdom.