by Don Chapman

Thanksgiving is coming up fast! For worship leaders, this offers a prime opportunity to cultivate gratitude in your congregation. Sure, you’ll sing songs of thankfulness. But how can you inspire deeper gratitude beyond the worship set? Try these 4 creative ideas:

Share an Annual Gratitude Testimony

Imagine your people eagerly anticipating incredible stories of God’s faithfulness each Thanksgiving. You can make it happen by establishing an annual tradition of sharing testimonies of gratitude.

Here are some options for how church members can share:

• Write out their testimony to be read on stage or printed in the bulletin. This allows them time to thoughtfully express their thanks.
• Record a 2-3 minute video testimony to be played during the service. Let them share from the heart.
• Interview members live on stage about what they’re grateful for. The interviewer can guide the conversation and keep it time-sensitive. Discuss beforehand what the person wishes to share so they have a clear roadmap.

However you gather them, these stories will remind your congregation of God’s ever-present grace. Imagine the impact as your people hear fellow members share vulnerably about struggling through illness, job loss, grief, depression or doubt, only to see God’s redemption.

Their gratitude will be contagious. Others who related to those hardships will feel hope. What you’ll likely discover is how God showed up in unsuspecting ways during their trials.

Bottom Line: This Thanksgiving, give your people the platform to share God’s goodness. Their stories will spark inspiration and gratitude churchwide.

Create a Gratitude Board

Want a simple way for your congregation to share thankfulness? Set up a Gratitude Board! Pick a prominent wall space and invite churchgoers to post what they’re grateful for.

Supply index cards, post-its and pens so folks can write out their gratitude. Let their sincere words of thanks fill your wall. Verses about God’s blessings would also look great surrounding the gratitude.

Imagine the impact as your church walks by daily reminders of all God has done. What a testimony! The visible evidence of His faithfulness in so many lives will spark praise.

This is a cost-effective idea requiring minimal effort. Yet its impact can be profound. Seeing others’ gratitude displayed will inspire your church to keep their eyes open to God’s gifts.

Bottom Line: Give thanks publicly on a Gratitude Board. Let it remind your people daily of the Lord’s blessings.

Pause for Gratitude in Worship

Want your congregation to reflect deeply on their thankfulness? Then slow down your worship set and build in time for gratitude.

Rather than rushing from one song to the next, pause between a few songs for 1-2 minutes of silent gratitude and reflection, or softly play a piano underscore. Instruct your people to thank the Lord privately in their hearts and ponder specific things He’s done for them recently. Then gently call the church back to communal worship. These moments of intentional thanksgiving will enrich your entire service.

Bottom Line: Pause your worship set for quiet gratitude. Let these sacred moments lead to sincere praise.

Create a Church Highlights Video

Showcase your church’s blessings this year through a highlights video! Interview members about how God worked through various ministries and events.

Capture testimonies of life change, baptisms, serve projects and more. Share meaningful moments from youth camps, retreats, small groups and classes. Weave in photos, videos and quotes that tell your story. The goal is to spotlight God’s activity across your entire congregation over the past year.

Premier this inspirational video on Thanksgiving Sunday. Remind your people that it was God who strengthened and sustained your church. Seeing the overview of His faithfulness will stir profound gratitude.

Bottom Line: Produce a highlights video this Thanksgiving to remind your church of all God has done this past year. It will cultivate deeper gratitude.

This Thanksgiving, try these fresh ideas to move your congregation’s gratitude from surface-level to deep. Transform thankfulness from just a Sunday tradition into integral church culture. Then watch as sincere gratitude overflows into every area of your ministry!