The Pastors

I live in awe of my pastors. God's call on their lives is a tremendous, most times joyous, sometimes burdensome, but always incredible.  They are called to preach His Holy Word, to be living examples of His love, to teach His Truth, to bring in His Kingdom, to correct or rebuke when one of us goes astray, and to always point us back to our God. (Read 1 & 2 Timothy for a complete overview.)

Life is never boring around here.  They don't keep 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. hours; they simply can't.  Hospital visits, counseling, weddings, funerals, and the people who come to them need their attention.  Crisis can never be scheduled.

They will answer to God for the people that He has given to them to teach.  (Hebrews 13:17)  That's a huge account for a pastor.

In view of this, as a secretary, it's good to reflect on their calling.  My job is to do whatever work I can to free them up to do their work.  Some of it is typical office work--phone messages, emails, running errands, and things of that nature.  Sometimes, it is looking for little things like washing all the dishes or having the coffee ready to go or setting up the conference room for a meeting.  Keeping the office running, cozy, professional, yet family is sometimes a balancing act but worthwhile.

At times, it means baby sitting children, fixing a meal, or taking calls that don't need a pastor's touch so much as a sympathetic ear.

The biggest support is prayer.  These men are in the front lines of battle--battles that are fierce.  Prayer is the best coverage for that. Prayer for wisdom, for boldness, for gentleness, for guidance, for rest.  These are things I could never help them with, but I can pray for them.

Hospitality in a Church Office

If you think about it, it usually takes a lot of courage for someone to come to the office of a church.

 Sometimes, it's for a scheduled meeting with one of the pastors -- for spiritual guidance, sometimes to plan a wedding, sometimes to share a ministry put on their heart, but always for something.

Sometimes it's a quick drop in for a hug, a cup of coffee, or a piece of chocolate. Maybe someone wants to pick something up or put something in the bulletin.  Maybe its a forgotten item.

The most touching, though, are visitors who are so broken that they simply show up; they don't know what to say or do, but here they are.  Weeping, angry, desperate...not sure where to turn, and so they are here.

In light of this, the most tragic heartbreak would be for someone to feel unwelcome at a church.  This is the place that Christ has ordained as an embassy of His Kingdom on earth.  A place of teaching, healing, correction, and overall, love. A place to begin to live out His call with fellow believers.

Sometimes, a lot of times,  the pastors just aren't available.  Or they are running late while they serve others.  God's time-table is never our time table.

The office is where people must wait.

First and foremost, the rule is that paperwork can wait.  There is a person created in the image of God in this very office and they deserve full attention and ministering.  I can listen, pray with, cry with, and sometimes even counsel during this time.

Hospitality is an asset at any time.  Food is set out--both healthy and a bit of junky.  Coffee is on, or tea.  And water.

If a person really doesn't want to talk to the secretary, there are books and magazines to keep occupied. That is also a time of silent prayer.

When the pastors do come in and meet with this person, I usually send in a plate of cookies to continue to personal touch.  And then I pray again.

What Does It Mean To Be A Secretary?

noun, plural sec·re·tar·ies.

1.

a person, usually an official, who is in charge of the records,correspondence, minutes of meetings, and related affairs ofan organization, company, association, etc.: the secretary ofthe Linguistic Society of America.

2.

a person employed to handle correspondence and do routinework in a business office, usually involving taking dictation,typing, filing, and the like.

3.

private secretary.

4.

( often initial capital letter ) an officer of state charged withthe superintendence and management of a particulardepartment of government, as a member of the president'scabinet in the U.S.: Secretary of the Treasury.

5.

Also called diplomatic secretary. a diplomatic official of anembassy or legation who ranks below a counselor and isusually assigned as first secretary, second secretary, orthird secretary.

Origin: 
1350–1400; Middle English secretarie  one trusted with private orsecret matters; confidant < Medieval Latin sēcrētārius  < Latinsēcrēt ( um ) secret  (noun) + -ārius -ary

You can see that there is a lot that is described with the one word "secretary".  I know most people enjoy "administrative assistant", but I don't.  I think the word "secretary" far better describes what we do.  

When Paul describes himself as "an ambassador in chains" in Ephesians 6:20, the word for ambassador is the same word for secretary. 

You see, we too, are ambassadors for Christ, as well as for our churches.  I don't think there is ever a time that we do not represent our church.  I don't know about you- but I know I am on 24/7 every minute, every hour, every year.  I may not be behind my desk, but I am always a representative.

Being a church secretary is different from being an administrative assistant, although we do that work, too.  We are in charge of those things listed in definitions 1 & 2.  However, there is so much more! 

We communicate for the pastors, elders, and ministry leaders to the congregation, and vice versa.  We are the face to the corporate world, and we are the face to every person who comes to our office looking for Christ.  

We represent Him and our church when we are out purchasing items for the church, at any event, in traffic, at the post office, or where ever we might find ourselves.  

I particularly like the original meaning of the word--that is a major part of the call.  We know the tears behind those Sunday morning smiles, we know that our blessed bosses are indeed human, and we bear these burdens silently with Christ. 

Our job is never the routine office work, although that must get done too!  We find ourselves baby sitters, counselors, givers of benevolence, a shoulder to cry on, a sister (or brother) to rejoice with, a concordance, spiritual adviser, toilet cleaner, prayer partner, teacher, pupil..well,  you get the picture.  

And no one but you and the Lord are aware of so much of it. We are behind the scenes people.  They see the bulletins, whether the church is cleaned, the food pantry stocked, and if their name is spelled correctly in the directory. Your pastors may see more, but they are often busy in their calling.  And your job is to assist them, so why bother them with details? 

When I arrive and start the coffee, I never know what the day will bring.  I don't know what time I will get to leave, and I don't know what will get crossed off on my list.  I do know that I serve the Most High God who is creative, merciful, exciting, and interested in changing lives to make them more like Him!  Starting with me! 

That is why I say our job is a "calling."  I get paid to communicate--the bulletin, phone calls, emails, and publications are what my salary is for.  But the real work, the people that come in or call, that is what He has called me to service. 

Who will He bring in today?  Who will call?  What email?  What will He do?  I only know that I get a front row seat!  My friend teases me by saying she is going to buy a seat belt for my chair. 

Daunting?  YES!  But I wouldn't trade it for anything.  That is why I am starting this blog.  Well, after much prayer and feeling His push for it. Not because I have any great wisdom or ideas, but I wonder how you are doing in your ministry?  Can I encourage you?  Can I share tips that He has taught me? I'm sure you have much to offer to me as well!  

I pray this will bless all of us. I