Here’s a fresh and simple way to invite school teachers and staff to your church. Honor those important community leaders by planning a “Meet the Teacher” Sunday during the first month of school.
DavisStudents and adult church members will invite school teachers, principals, librarians, bus drivers, nurses, food servers, coaches, music teachers, home-school teachers, professors, counselors and other school personnel, to a Sunday worship service. They’ll be recognized with a small gift and a special prayer.
Invite them
? Students from kindergarten to college use printed cards to personally invite their teacher and school personnel to come for worship and sit beside them.
? Church members or groups prepare big, gorgeous snack baskets and deliver them to teacher break rooms at local schools. Include a card with a promise of your church’s prayers this school year and an invitation to “Meet the Teacher” Sunday.
? Provide printed cards and e-invitations for adult church members to personally invite their friends and neighbors who work in the schools.
? Advertise on your church sign and in local papers to invite teachers and school personnel to “Meet the Teacher” Sunday.
Welcome them
? At a welcome table, provide beautiful nametags for the special guests, personalizing with their name, job and school.
? Plan a brief after-worship Milk and Cookie Fellowship. Serve homemade cookies, milk in cartons, and coffee. Assign adult Bible classes to intentionally chat and invite guests back to worship next week.
? Children’s classes can prepare index-size thank-you notes to include with the pastor’s follow-up letter to the special guests.
Honor them
? Recognize teachers and school personnel by asking them to stand. Student ushers give them a small gift, such as a Scripture bookmark or imprinted mug or pen. Lead a prayer of thanksgiving, asking God to bless them.
? Invite students of all ages to stand for a separate special prayer of blessing and commissioning.
? Include students in leading worship as ushers, prayer leader, or praise team. Our church planned a simple rhythm Scripture performance, and every student was included in the presentation.
You probably know a school employee you could invite to church. Wouldn’t it be awesome if that teacher met the Master Teacher – Jesus – on “Meet the Teacher” Sunday?
– Davis is a columnist, speaker, and author of “Deacon Wives” and “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” (B&H Publishing). Read more at www.keeponshining.com. See sample invitations for “Meet the Teacher” Sunday at www.dianadavis.org.