When was the last time you tangibly did something to support your pastor? Can’t remember? Then it has been TOO long! There is no excuse when just a simple note will do. A survey taken by pastor’s wives indicated that a letter, card or e-mail note, was the best way to encourage their husbands.   Make it even more special by making a personal hand-crafted note.

With scrapbooking ideas and materials prevalent, handcrafting cards is a perfect solution to showing your special care and encouragement. Why not teach card making to a small group of ladies and begin a new ministry? Below you will find how one group had a workshop to create cards as a ministry to pastors and others. While you are at it, why not make up several cards to have on hand to use for exhortation of other leaders and friends. Filing cards under categories in a box keeps them ready for immediate sending; thank you, congratulations, appreciation, sympathy, encouragement, and celebrations.

Go beyond your own church and small circle of friends, to minister to your associational leaders and pastors. Ask your associational office for a directory of churches. Identify the new pastors, new churches, churches without pastors, pastor or wives who are ill, or who are celebrating a special occasion. Make it your lady’s group ministry to reach out and touch someone’s heart with a card of Christ’s love. Ask your small Bible study or mission group to adopt another sister church or neighboring church to encourage with cards. Faithfully pray and send notes out to those mentioned in the church or local newspapers. A ministry of love can go a long way to building relationships.

We are called to exhort one another in love and love can be very creative! Try having a Card Making Workshop for your friends, using any of these ideas below.

Card making Workshop:
Quick creative card ideas

• Gather supplies in box or storage tub so you can quickly produce note when inspired or have the need
• Take basic cards already make and enhance creatively with stickers, add-ons, cut-outs
• Use precut standard card sizes and make standard envelopes to fit all
• Have cut-outs, folded pieces, add-ons, and printed words prepared ahead

Have examples of cards and styles on hand to share

• Design several different techniques, for different skill levels and indicate skill level by using 1,2,3 (1 being beginner)
• Have cards of each design prepared and set out on table with supplies and tools needed for that design
• Provide written instructions or an experienced teacher for each table or design
• Keep general tools and supplies on separate table for extra ideas, needs

Demonstrate the simple techniques of card designs you are going to use, to teach new ideas and give class participants confidence

• Embossing stencil with light box
• Paper punching
• Stamping
• Embossing powder on stamped design
• Paper folding (Iris and teabags folding)

Chose how to demonstrate each type as appropriate for your group

• On individual basis
• Once, as whole group
• Over and over again, as personally demonstrated by teachers at each table to those interested

Plan how to use them as a ministry

• Collect completed cards in box with category dividers
• Take time right then, to write a note and address