All sorts of things, as much as possible.  Larry and I firmly believe in that scripture verse where it talks about when it is within your power to do good -- do it.  The operative words here being "when it is within your power."  There are times we have not been able to do as much as we wanted to -- but we have always done SOMETHING.  If church finances are leaner, we do less.  But I'm a firm believer that you can ALWAYS do something.  I always tell our leadership (when it comes to acknowledging and encouraging leaders under them) that even if you are flat broke, who can't afford to have somebody over for coffee?  That's better than nothing and many times the thing that people want more than anything when you are their leader is a relationship - to know you care.   Sometimes we pay for things ourself if we want to do something and the church budget is tight.  Just depends.  But...here are some basics.

First, we celebrate staff birthdays.  We take each person out on their birthday, to someplace we know they really like.  Sometimes we introduce them to a new place that we know they will like based on their taste.  (Example - our youth pastor really likes sushi.  We took him to a new place he hadn't been to.) 

We treat our staff at special times like Christmas.  We not only have an open house for all our staff and leadership, and a Christmas banquet, but we also give our staff personal gifts.  We give a gift for each member of their family, and I take time to pick them out to suit the person, not just some random gift, but something that fits their personality.  Example - our youth pastor's son like Thomas the train - so we buy him stuff like that.  We always invite them to join us for Christmas eve dinner though they may not if they have plans already - it's optional.  Usually I invite them to join us for any holiday they are not going "home" for or such.  Whenever possible, I pick up their tab at a restaurant personally even if it is not church related business.

We have a leadership huddle for all staff and ministry leaders once a quarter.  I make dinner for all of them (about 30 people).  We just had it tonight, earlier.  (I'm checking mail late here...)  Anyway, tonight we did something simple - bbq chicken on the grill, pasta salad & chocolate cake.  I provide dinner (paid for by the church but I cook it) as a token of appreciation when they arrive, then we have our mtg.  Our leaders LOVE this!  We have great participation.  Most come straight from work.  We eat together first, then have our mtg.

For my women's leadership, I have a photo taken of us at our June banquet.  I frame it for each of them and they receive it a few weeks later as well as another small gift from me such as a candle, etc.  And a card expressing my thanks.

When we have guest speakers in for a few days of meetings on the last day we take the speaker as well as the whole staff out for a little celebration...we do this after things like revivals, kids krusades, etc.  This is a LOT of people when you consider the evangelist and their team, our pastoral staff, admin staff, and spouses, but it's well worth it as a token of appreciation.  On revival weeks and stuff, our staff gives an extra lot, being out all the time each night.

We have the staff in our home a lot...I'm a cook and I enjoy it...we have just had our new children's pastors over the last 3 Sundays for dinner...just to bond a little bit.  Some staff have told us other pastors they have worked for never had them over the whole time they were on staff, or maybe only once.  We don't see how you can really develop a relationship that way.  People have to see you where you live, and the thing is - the bible specifically says an overseer should be hospitable.  This needs to start w/your staff.  (Side note:  we rarely find people jealous of material things we may have.  I think it's because Larry and I share whatever we have with others, and our home is very open.  We had big pool parties at our home in North Tampa.  We have people over for dinner constantly.  We share whatever we have with others and we are very giving.  As a result we really don't get criticism about any really nice things we have like some pastors do.  I think a real key when you are blessed is just living a lifestyle of giving.  People know I believe God gave me this home and all I have to be a blessing - it all belongs to Him.)

We take the admin. staff out on administrative professionals week - someplace nice to lunch...and sometimes add a gift to that as well.

We also give bonuses to pastoral staff twice a year...

I have been known to make little scrapbooks for my women's leaders - have them over to dinner - and I publicly acknowledge the heck out of all of our leaders. 

These are just some of the things we do.  Like I said, there are leaner times where you can't do as much but when it is possible, we do it. 

Love you all & good night............

Deanna