Comments on: The Church Secretary, the most powerful person in the church.

By: Gigi

Gigi — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:39:00 +0000

By the way – I very much enjoyed your article and thank you for allowing us to have some fun!!!! You gave me a well needed giggle today

By: Gigi

Gigi — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 22:14:00 +0000

I am a church secretary and have been for a few months and really need to know how to handle people Sunday and Wednesday during church services. Many attendees expect me to be available 7 days a week 24 hours a day (even though I am part time), but when I come to church I want to be able to fellowship, meet visitors, and be in a state of mind where I can worship… instead I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off, getting scizzors for this person or printing something for that person or this/that (it could be a hundred different things -and never the same things twice!). How do I set boundaries so that I do not end up frustrated/irritated when service starts, without offending or upsetting people? I am starting to avoid events at church (we had VBS tonight at church that I had planned on going to but changed my mind after leaving the office today, as well as an event on Saturday that I am wishing I could get out of…) because I am mauled when I go! I get home with notes and instructions that have been slipped into all my pockets. I can’t carry on a conversation because 6 people will interupt asking me to remember to put this on the calendar or let the staff know about this complaint. I guess what I am wondering… is it acceptable or logical that I want to set a clear cut line between my position as secretary and church member?
I am also the pastor’s wife and that opens a whole different ball of wax. Before we got married I would have felt OK to tell people to back off… but now I have to be very careful because people take what I say out of context easily and I do not want to give the opportunity to twist my words against the church or my husband.
If anyone has suggestions I would really appreciate it. I am not the stereo typical wife of a pastor in the way that so many are involved with music or the children programs or ladies ministry… my gifting is administrative and behind the scenes – that is what I do best, so I love that part of my job… but I need help finding a balance.
I’d appreciate anyone with experience finding balance and setting boundries to give me suggestions. Thanks

By: Pearl2083

Pearl2083 — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:56:00 +0000

I will add a few pointers for the church secretary. You are the face of Jesus for all people, non believers and believers. You are the example of good stewardship of the faith. Always make sure that good is the example. Repeat nothing.

By: Fay

Fay — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:20:27 +0000

I am a church secretary and I agree with you 100%. Sometimes I attend the bean suppers at the church I work at and I am bombarded with questions and comments, etc. I can’t simply sit there and enjoy a meal on my “off” time with my family without them bothering me. It’s ridiculous.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 22 May 2011 02:27:52 +0000

Hahaha, this is great! I’m a church secretary and these questions are hilarious, though I think you overrated us.

By: Hannah

Hannah — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:15:02 +0000

Gail & Christa, I’m so sorry you feel that way. I work at the church I attend, and I love it. Yes, it’s tough that people expect me to be “working” on Sundays, during Bible study, and whenever they have a question. Most of the time, it’s an easy answer or fix. If not, I ask them to leave me a note or send an email and I’ll get to it when I’m in the office. Our pastor isn’t afraid to be the bad guy…if I have to be nasty, I say I need to run something by him. He’s as protecting of us in the front offices as he is of his wife. I love the inside look into the ministers…they are the same at work on Monday morning and Friday afternoon as they are on SUnday mornings. Sure, I get burned out and I don’t attend all the “work days” at the church…I work most of the time I’m there. But I love the flexibility, the comaraderie, and the personal nature of working in the church office.

By: Wiredog

Wiredog — Wed, 11 May 2011 18:14:25 +0000

#4 – One of our church members wanted to go to a “special” restaurant, but didn’t want to go alone. He filled out a bulletin announcement form that the senior’s group was going the next Saturday. It worked, several showed up and they all took the church van.

By: Wiredog

Wiredog — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:35:11 +0000

So, that’s where my mug went! Oh well, you keep it now, you deserve it!

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:29:57 +0000

Thanks for giving recognition to those of us who work at a job that can be both a blessing and a curse–often on the same day. It’s also very tricky when #7 & #10 are the pastor’s wife. I love going to other churches when we’re out of town and I can worship without any requests brought to me because I’m not their secretary.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 11 May 2011 13:54:24 +0000

I’m really concerned about you. No one can work ‘super human’ hours like you do (6 days/week) without it eventually effecting your personal life. Do you have a personal life?