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When you want more than just a token gift …
Here are 21 unique ways to honor graduates within your small church. These 21 ways are perfect for small budgets.
Perfect for small churches, this list of 21 ways to honor graduates includes ideas that will fit any budget and any number of graduates. Choose one or two to add to a Sunday morning or combine a few to have a special evening set apart to celebrate your grads.
Whether you have students graduating from high school, college, grad school, or going back to grad school, check out these ways to encourage them, celebrate them, and recognize them as vital members of your small church.
21 Church Graduation Event Ideas For High School And College
1. Reception/Party With School Colors
Plan a special event to honor graduates after church service or another time during the week.
2. Decorate In Their School Colors
If there are many graduates, decorate sections of your church in different colors.
3. Cake With School Colors
Have a cake with all the graduates’ names on it. Use school colors if possible.
4. Acknowledge Them During Sunday Service
Set aside a time during church service to acknowledge them. It could be as simple as having them stand or come to the front and congratulate them.
5. Photo Booth
Decorate an area in your church with balloons and a sign that says “Congratulations” for graduate pictures with family & friends.
6. Special Sermon Delivered To Graduates
God’s Word is full of instructions for young people. A sermon directed just to graduates would not only benefit them but all who are present. Here are a few graduate-focused Bible verses to get started: Youth and young-adult-focused Bible verses.
7. Pray Over Graduates By Name
Praying for those starting out in adulthood or into a new season of life is extremely important. This is a great way to honor graduates. There are many ways to incorporate prayer during a scheduled time. For example, popcorn prayers as people feel led, leadership only, family only, written prayers read out loud, or have people circle around the graduate and pray.
8. Allow Graduates To Share Their Testimony
If your graduate is willing, set aside time to share their testimony during service or at an event.
9. Invite The Graduate To Play An Instrument, Sing, Or Teach During The Worship Service
Allowing them to bless others by sharing their gifts is uplifting for all.
10. Hold A “Mini Graduation”
Allow graduates to walk down the aisle with family while someone reads their accomplishments and future goals. If a graduate is willing, encourage them to wear their cap/gown.
11. Prepare A Fancy BBQ Or Steak Dinner
Go all out and have a fancy dinner. BBQ or steak is a crowd-pleaser. Ask people to bring a side, dessert, and drinks to share.
12. Host A Graduation Shower
Think wedding or baby shower, only for new adults. Ask them to register at Amazon or a chain store. This ensures they get what they want/need.
13. Create A Slideshow Of Pictures Of The Graduate’s Growing Up Years
Ask for pictures of graduation, put the slideshow to music, and play it during an event or a church service.
14. Interview Each Graduate On Video With Questions
Ask each graduate about their accomplishments, special memories, and their future goals. Post on social media or show on Sunday morning.
15. Have Parents Write Blessings
Ask parents to write and read a blessing (like our forefathers did in the Old Testament) during a special ceremony or on a Sunday morning.
16. Share Special Memories About The Graduates
Ask the graduates’ past leaders or teachers to share a special memory. Print in the newsletter, make a display, or read aloud in a service.
17. Highlight The Graduates On Social Media
Honor graduates by writing up a special social media post for each graduate on your church page. (Of course, if they are under 18, make sure to get parent or guardian approval.)
18. Pictures Of The Graduate Throughout The Years
Display church pictures of your graduates over the years on a display in your welcome area.
19. Send Cards Of Encouragement
If graduates are going to college, divide up the weeks/months of the semester/year and encourage people to sign up to send cards of well wishes and encouragement.
20. Purchase A T-Shirt/Sweatshirt And Encourage People To Sign Well Wishes
You can even include your church logo if you have one. Use permanent or paint markers for signing.
21. Ask Graduates For Their “Life Verse” Or Scripture That Is Meaningful To Them
Take their answers and display them on a bulletin board, in the bulletin, or on the PowerPoint screen before church. Write out the verse, and note the graduate’s name. Include a photo if possible.
Tips For Multi-Graduate Events
- Make sure to include all the graduates, even those who come occasionally.
- If there are graduates from different schools, decorate sections of your church or celebration area in different colors.
- Don’t forget about graduate students and older adults returning for schooling as well.
Invite family and friends in the community to join in the celebrations.
Celebrating graduates is a fabulous opportunity to invite graduates’ friends and family into your church. What a great way to show the love of Christ and hospitality to unchurched and under-churched people in your community!
Be ready to greet them by setting up a team to personally welcome guests who don’t normally attend. Thank them for coming to support their graduate. You could even give a small gift to everyone who attends.
At the close of the service or celebration, be sure to invite everyone back to your next special event(s).
Check out this post on inviting people personally: Why Personal Invitations Work
Looking for a step-by-step to starting or restarting your youth ministry?
Check out the Youth Ministry Bundle For Small Churches!
Congratulations To Your Graduates!
With a little intention, you can go beyond a token gift and create a great memory honoring graduates and including family and friends outside your church. Don’t miss this opportunity to build connectivity, encourage your graduates, and shine the love of Christ in your community.
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