Whether it’s a surgery or a family death, a deep disappointment or an injury or sickness,  a ‘down’ day or just the desire for a friend, the needs around us in our own churches are overwhelming. If your prayer list looks like ours, it is overflowing with physical needs. More often people are added than they are taken off the list. So there’s always someone to help and encourage. The one thing I implore you not to do {except on select occasions}?

Don’t say, “Let me know if you need anything.”

I’ve been guilty of saying it, and then quickly realized what I had just done. Here’s how it usually goes when we quip that non-helpful phrase:

“Ok, I’ll let you know,” says everyone always.

“I’ll call Mrs. Grasshopper and tell her I need a meal today,” says and does no one ever!

As a pastor’s wife, I learned this lesson right quick by being plunged into a small community that was very self sufficient. I had to get creative when it came to reaching out, and yes, sometimes my efforts were insulted. Like the time a family called and fussed at me for sending TOO MUCH food. I suggested that they put some of it in their freezer and then hung up and stopped the food chain. 🙂

So, part of just digging in and doing something is knowing up front that you might do the wrong thing sometimes, or at the wrong time. BUT at least folks will know you were thinking of them and that you cared enough to try.

Here is a (by no means exhaustive) list of ideas for helping others. Some are ‘in the box’ and some are ‘out of the box.’ Don’t be afraid to get rid of the box and let God lead you in His own unique ways. After all, who knows people better than He does? It brings so much joy to know that your act of kindness was inspired by and used by God!

50 Creative Ways to Bless Your Church Family:

1. Pass along a compliment you heard about someone

2. Send a note or letter to a home via snail mail

3. Leave a gift on a doorstep and leave before they see it -preferably not food that spoils. One time someone left lobster on our front door in the middle of summer and we were away on an overnight trip. Said lobster spoiled and was never enjoyed. 🙁

4. Give ‘coupons’ for babysitting

5. Take the time to listen to how their day is actually going

6. Prepare and deliver a meal

7. Give a gift certificate for a store or restaurant

8. Pray in person or on the phone with people

9. Focus on making sincere connections with people’s hearts

10. If the person is bedridden or immobile, arrange a time to sit with them

11. Lend/swap books with them

12. Bake cookies or breads and deliver them still warm

13. Invite people over for a meal

14. Mow grass or shovel snow for someone

15. Weed a flower garden/vegetable garden for someone

16. Wash/vacuum a vehicle for someone

17. Lend or swap uplifting music

18. Give a hug

19. Take someone out for coffee

20. Email encouraging devotionals and inspiring quotes

21. Make and send a handmade card

22. Pass along coupons or sale papers

23. Share groceries/food

24. Visit a shut-in or nursing home resident

25. Make a “just because” phone call

26. Send/deliver fresh flowers

27. Thank someone for serving in the church

28. Observe and verbally appreciate individual talents

29. Help someone get their children’s coats/hats on and off

30. Take someone’s nursery shift

31. Plan a surprise birthday party for someone

32. Host an open house

33. Remember and acknowledge important dates in people’s lives (death of a loved one, etc.)

34. Be interested in others’ lives

35. Cheer others on in their successes

36. Sympathize/empathize with hurting people

37. Attend a funeral just to support someone

38. Build a snowman/snowlady in someone’s yard and dress it up 🙂

39. Rake leaves for the elderly

40. Pick apples/other fruit for a senior citizen

41. Take a hostess gift when you are invited over to someone’s home

42. When entertaining guests, place a small gift at each person’s place at the table

43. Create or purchase a personalized gift for someone {with their name on it}

44. Do yard work or maintenance work around the church building and grounds

45. Plant flowers or bushes in memory of someone’s loved one

46. Give a memorial gift

47. Remind people of your continued prayers via email

48. House sit or pet sit for a family who is traveling

49. Pack a “snack pack” for a family who is traveling

50. Send a care package to a college student

Let’s Chat: What would you add to my list?