Ministry Fair
Hold a ministry fair in conjunction with your annual stewardship emphasis (or any other time during the year). Consider these ideas:
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Invite church ministry programs to develop an attractive booth to introduce their ministry and the service opportunities available. |
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Use the theme of your stewardship campaign. |
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Encourage the use of photographs, balloons, symbols, and so forth. |
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Provide easy-to-read information at each booth, including brochures and position descriptions. |
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Staff the booths with informed lay ministers who are ready to answer questions. |
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Avoid actual solicitation of volunteers. Instead, use the fair to inform persons of the wide variety of ministries available in your church and communtiy. |
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Provide food and music. Write the names of gifts on large balloons. Make it a real celebration. |
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Give a prize for the best booth. |
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Send thank you notes to each participating with an instant picture of their booth. |
Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Hastings, Minnesota, held their ministry fair near the opening of fishing season and gave out "licenses" for ministry. They served the children gummy worms and goldfish crackers, and that attracted the parents too. Their theme was "Getting Hooked on Ministry!"
What creative ideas might you add to these?
Adapted from "Beyond 'Time, Talent, and Treasure': Sharing Practical Ideas" by Jean Morris Trumbauer in GIVING, Growing Faithful Stewards in Your Congregation, 2000 issue, a publication of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center, Indianapolis, Indiana. © 2000 Ecumenical Stewardship Center. Used by permission. Individuals or congregations may subscribe to this annual magazine or purchase single issues by contacting ESC at ESC@indy.net or by calling 1-800-835-5671.