Recognizing and Honoring Graduating Seniors in Your Ministry

Like many of you our ministry had lots of traditions.  At thtis time of year, we honored our graduating seniors in a variety of ways.  All would be recognized at the last Lunch Program of the year and some would give testimonies.  At our End of the Year Cookout, we would have a share time and anyone could speak, but especially seniors.  Then, we had a cookout at our house for the graduating seniors.  But, those things are not happening this year on campuses all over the country.  So, do we just forget it or should we do some different things?

SOME IDEAS FOR RECOGNIZING YOUR SENIORS AND BRINGING CLOSURE

1.  Get as many seniors together on a Zoom call and let them respond to two questions they have been given in advance, "What's the most meaningful thing to you in the four or five years?"  "What's the funniest or fondest memory?"

2.  Ask for a picture from each or take a picture from their social media and make a collage to display on social media and at your ministry website or page.

3.  Through social media have a vote for different awards for seniors such as "Best Encourager";
"A Servant heart"; "Most likely to clean up after an event"; "Most likely to correct our leader".

4.  Post the names of each senior with their plans for what is next.

5.  Just get them together on a Zoom conference and let them visit informally and bring some closure to those relationships.

6.  Do a video where you give a title or fun or serious award to each.

7.  Mail an 8X10 picture to each of some ministry event during their time there or a large group picture that was made at a retreat or whatever.

8.  Write each a personal letter expressing your appreciation for them and your prayers for their future.

9.  Ask some underclassmen to say something to and about each senior on a video or Zoom.

Just do something that lets them know you care and that they are appreciated and not forgotten as many are feeling at this time.  Maybe it is more important this year than ever before.

Arliss Dickerson is a college ministry/leadership consultant and the author of five books on college ministry in eBook and print at amazon.com (type in Arliss Dickerson).  "ALMOST Everything About College Ministry" will be available in early summer.