When I got married in the mid-1990s, writing thank-you notes was the next step after coming home from our honeymoon. I got the requisite cards with our initials on the front in frilly script, grabbed a pen, and stared at them.

I wasn’t quite sure what to write. At that time, I was a newspaper reporter. I was afraid all of my notes would say something like: Breaking news! Salad spinner received by local couple.

One of my best friends, who got married a few years prior, said to try this formula: Thank you for the (blah blah). We will use it when we (blah blah). Thank you again for your gift.

The simplicity of this advice helped to get me out of my “stuck” phase and commence to writing. I added a few more flourishes, mentioning how grateful we were that they had attended our wedding (if they did), etc. They were stamped, and in the mail, task completed.

Even though thank you notes are not as common as they once were, everyone loves to receive hand-written mail, no matter their age. A thank you note from the church to a member who has pledged support is really key to helping members feel their contribution is noticed and appreciated.

By now, you may very well have written and mailed thank you notes to each member of your congregation who pledged to your church. If so, bless you. That’s so very crucial. But keep this in mind: studies indicate that people must be thanked seven times before they really feel and hear those important words: thank you. That’s fascinating to me – and one of the best lessons I’ve ever received on stewardship.

Former ministry relations officer Robert Hay gave a great action step every pastor can take in a piece he wrote a few years ago – and it’s such good, concrete advice that it bears repeating. Write thank you notes year-round to members of your congregation. Ask your administrative staff to divide the list of active members by 52, and give you a list and stack of thank you notes to write each week. Thank them for their faithfulness, their excellent contribution to the choir, or, if you can’t think of anything, thank them for being a part of your church.

If you haven’t taken the time to send out a thank you letter or notes following your stewardship season, go ahead and do so. Yes, a note closer to pledge Sunday is better – but sending now is certainly better than not thanking them at all. The pastor or stewardship/generosity team doesn’t have to do this alone. Ask for volunteers from members of session, or deacons. If they find this intimidating, provide a model for them to follow. Here’s a few ideas. Keep in mind that anything personal you can add to these notes is helpful.

A general thank you

Dear (name), We are all so grateful for your pledge for 2024. Your support of our church is so meaningful for the congregation and helps us do so much good in our community. Thank you for the gift of your time, talent and treasure. Sincerely (signed by name)

A thank you for an elderly member

 

Dear (name), Your pledge for 2024 is a true gift to God. All of us at your church are so grateful for your support, and for your faithfulness. As your church family, please reach out to us if we can support or help you in any way. We are here for you. Sincerely (signed by name)

A thank you for a deeply involved member

Dear (name), It is a joy to see you in worship each Sunday. Thank you for the many ways that you support our congregation, and especially for your pledge supporting our ministry in 2024. We are so glad you are a part of our church, and grateful for the many hours of time you dedicate to our congregation. Sincerely (signed by name)

A thank you for a child

Dear (name), you are a wonderful part of our church! We are so glad to have you and your family with us, and so glad you’re supporting the church with your pledge. We know your parents are very proud of you, and so am I. I hope to see you at church Sunday! Sincerely (signed by name)

A thank you for those sometimes forgotten

Lastly, don’t forget to thank all of the other members of your generosity team, and someone also should write the pastor a nice note, too. We’ll leave that to you, but think through the many, many duties of a pastor beyond stewardship when writing that note.

If you have questions about stewardship, please reach out to the Ministry Relations Officer for your region. They are here to help. You can find yours here.