resources for effective children's ministry

Teacher's Appreciation Dinner

• First of all - - - this is a dinner for your teachers and helpers, enlist the help of non-teachers so the teachers are free to enjoy the evening. Also, do NOT charge the teachers for the meal - I have heard of churches that have done so - and do NOT ask then to bring the food . . . this is an APPRECIATION dinner, not a pot-luck (or pot-faith!)

• As early as possible look at the church calendar and schedule your dinner. Remember, Spring can be a busy time of year so reserve your date as soon as possible so you will be able to use the kitchen and fellowship hall for your special event.

• Three months ahead:

  1. Begin to make announcements so everyone can get it on their calendars and can plan on attending.

  2. Look at your budget and determine what your resources are and decide on your menu for the evening. Some churches decide to pay for the expenses of the dinner. Some take a special offering especially for the teacher's dinner. Other churches pass a sign up list around the adult classes and have non-teachers sign up to bring all the parts of the dinner - rolls, salad mix, salad dressing, etc. Decide what will best suit your church and budget.

  3. Look at your budget to see if you have the resources for a small "thank-you" gift. Here again, some churches decide to pay for this and purchase gift certificates to a local Christian book store, or have mugs or pens or t-shirts made with their logo (look in the yellow pages under speciality advertising and shop around for the best price). Some churches have "crafty" people in their church who would be willing to make a gift. Sometimes restaurants in the area will give gift certificates in exchange for a tax deduction receipt provided by the church.

  4. Decide what decorations you will use and where you will get them or who will make them. Consider placing a sticker on one chair at each table and then at the end of the evening the person at that place may take their table decoration home.

  5. Decide on the entertainment and ask someone to sing.

  6. Recruit non-teachers to help. Some churches have their staff prepare and serve the meal - and do dish duty! Others have the youth department or an adult class serve the teachers in this way.

• Two months ahead:
  1. If you are having people from your church sign up to bring the parts of the meal, make the sign-up lists and visit each adult class to explain what you are doing and how they may be a part of it. I personally like this way of providing the meal as it involves the church in showing their appreciation to the teachers. Even if your church decided to pay for the meal, consider having a sign up list for the desserts. Ask non-teachers to bring a nice dessert that serves 6 to 8 people and be prepared for a wide variety of beautiful desserts. I have done this and find that my teachers are truly delighted by the delicious choices in the dessert bar!

  2. Check on the progress of the decorations.

• One month ahead:
  1. Make and mail invitations - invite each teacher/helper and their guest, the staff and board ( if they are not serving) and ask them to all RSVP so you know how to plan.

  2. Make your program/menu and arrange to have your church office print them.

  3. If you are providing child care, enlist non-teachers to care for the children. (Be sure they have taken your child protection class and understand all of your policies). Have parents RSVP for the child care and ask them to feed their children before they come. Provide books, games, videos, etc. for the kids to use during the dinner.

  4. Wrap the gifts - if necessary.

• One week ahead:
  1. Finish decorations and take to church.

  2. Finalize arrangements for purchasing food or call and remind those who signed up to bring food/desserts when and where you need them and to personally thank them for their help.

  3. Check the kitchen to be sure the pots, pans, utensils, dishes, etc you need are there.

  4. Remind helpers when and where you need them.

  5. Check with special music to see if they need anything. Be sure to have sound personnel.

• Day before:
  1. Purchase food.

  2. Touch base with child care to let them know how many children to expect and what you have for them to do with the children.

• Day of:
  1. Set up tables

  2. Decorate

  3. Prepare food

Have a wonderful time!

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