No matter how many people are on staff, chances are a fair share of your classes are led by volunteer teachers. And while you do your best to show appreciation for their hard work, here are six practical ways to support and honor them.

1. Train. While it’s great to have a group of willing volunteers, you can’t throw them into a class without preparation. “We provide round table discussions to allow our teachers to ask questions and learn from each other’s experiences,” says Adelita Garza, lead pastor of Puente de Vida in Santa Paula, California.

Veteran Sunday School teacher DeWayne Adcock, of Springfield, Missouri agrees. He advises church leaders to systematically train potential leaders, and continue coaching and mentoring. “In this way, the potential teacher is encouraged and emboldened to press on to teach in ways that they are comfortable; particularly, utilizing their gifts, Adcock explains.”

2. Resource. If Christian Education is a priority in your church, put your money where your mouth is. “We have [given our teachers] a monthly budget for resources, curriculum and any other needs they might have to do effective ministry,” says Garza.

3. Communicate. Communication is key. Leadership should make it a priority to constantly have their eyes open to what is available regarding both market and gifting resources,” says Adcock. “Too many times we rely on the same things over and over—and resources become boring templates. The leadership must think outside the box and be in constant communication with their teachers regarding what’s out there.”

4. Network. Garza’s church conducts a quarterly gifts assessment and uses the results to pair individuals with experienced mentors who have similar gifts. “This allows the volunteer to experience ministry with the needed support and encouragement, with hopes that they can later become a mentor for someone else.This process can multiply volunteers and create an environment of effective ministry.”

5. Encourage. “As Pastor I meet with key leaders on a monthly basis to hear from them, pray with them, and develop strategies to improve their ministry,” Garza explains. “I also call them regularly to see how they are doing both personally and in ministry. I send random texts letting them know I appreciate them.”

6. Rotate. Schoolteachers get a summer break and the same should go for ministry volunteers Adcock notes, “Too many times, the church allows a teacher into the classroom for an indefinite amount of time; thus, resulting, not only in ineffectiveness, but personal burn-out.” Puente de Vida uses a rotation system. Garza explains, “We have two teams that work with our children, therefore most teachers serve every other week.”

7. Honor. Leadership can show teachers that they not only understand the amount of hard work and effort they put in, but also that they appreciate them. More often than not we approach the issue of teaching a class with a ‘filling a need and doing the best we can’ mentality, rather than setting a standard of excellence and appreciation, and following through with it. Christian education teachers deserve some of the highest honor a church could possibly give.”

Last fall, the board at Garza’s church sent an appreciation letter to each volunteer detailing ways he or she served in ministry and highlighting specific personal characteristics that stand out in each person.

After a large summer outreach, the board served a “thank you” dinner for volunteers . Throughout the year, Garza honors teachers from the pulpit. I mention them by name so that there’s a more personal touch to the affirmation.”

—JERILYN OSBORN is assistant editor for Church Multiplication Network.