Mile Marker

Written 6/28/07

I keep a journal of events that mark changes in my walk with Christ. I call it my "mile marker" - so I know if I am moving forward, standing still, or going backwards.

One of the things in the journal is an October 2005 entry for when I decided to call Mike Simmons my Pastor. For me it is more than just a title - it's a position of authority. It was significant that I trusted a man enough to call him by that name.

A later entry marks the first time I was introduced as a "religious leader" in the community. It was at CrossRoads Covenant Church in DeSoto. I was humbled to be introduced to the church along with others that minister God's Word.

I've even noted my first invitation to pray for a group where I was not a member.

But, not everything is positive. I also included the time I used scripture to hurt someone I love and did it publicly. I cried for hours at the realization of what I had done. On top of that, he came to me to apologize for making me upset enough to do that! Was a powerful lesson in humility and love that I will never, ever forget.

Then there is yesterday. What made it a mile-marker? I have received several phone calls and emails from people saying how they appreciate that I stood up for Christianity and even more so for not backing down when pushed. I surprised myself when I realized I was standing on the front steps of City Hall loudly proclaiming Jesus Christ is Lord! It was the first public assault on my faith and I survived the test.

These events will soon fade into my memory, but I will have this record of what happened, how the Lord met my ever need, and blessed this path He has set me on. 

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3

I was right, it is good to remember and to measure progress.  Do you have a Mile Marker Journal to help you remember how the Lord is working in your life?

Are You a Team Builder?

I attended a meeting led by David Simpson who works with The Table Group.  The meeting was about team development and interaction.  We were asked to read a book called The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business.  The main theme is that having a healthy team is more important than having a highly skilled team.  I agree.

I was surprised that I was invited to this church staff meeting.  I am not a part of this leadership team.  I interact with them, and am dependent on the decisions they make, but I am not a part of this decision making body.  I do not have input into the vision this team sets or the direction they take to accomplish the goals.

I am in a no man's land when it comes to ministry.  No, that isn't a joke about being in Women's Ministry!  What I mean is that I do the job of a staff member, but I am not staff.  I lead a large ministry in our church.  I set the vision, develop the programs, enlist the workers, manage the budget, and minister to the needs of several hundred women and their families.  It's the same thing the ministers on our staff do, but I do it as a volunteer. 

What do you do with people in this type of position?  There is a line that is walked on where they are included and excluded on leadership activities.  For example: I have a mailbox, but I do not receive mail at the church; I have business cards, but I do not have an office; I add events to the calendar, but they are moved for staff led ministries. The list could go on, but you get the idea.

Let's get back to that team building meeting.  When I arrived, one of the staff members came to sit with me.  When the meeting was over we were all talking and I felt like a part of the group - until it happened.  The pastor thanked me for attending the meeting.

Do you remember in the movie Pretty Woman when the Richard Gere character told the Julia Roberts character, "I have never treated you like a prostitute!" and she replied, "You just did."  Well, this was a Pretty Woman moment.  In that one comment the pastor pointed out to everyone that I was a guest and not really a part of that team.  Any momentum that had been gained toward building a healthy team was lost.

I wish I could say I knew the answer to how we include lay leadership in church governance, but today all I have are some questions for you: 

* How do you treat the volunteers that serve in your church? Are they a part of the leadership team?

* Is there a class system in your church?

* Do you respect the work of volunteers as much as you do paid staff?

There will come a day when the distinction of paid staff and volunteer no longer exists and the urgency of Kingdom expansion will force us to lay aside titles for the purpose of ministry.  Until then, do you have any suggestions to help churches blend paid and volunteer ministry?