Monday Morning Pulpit - If You Haven't Noticed..

Hello Emmanuel,

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, I am moved to remind all of us of the many acts of grace that go on behind the scenes that help the church be the church.  Some people like to be behind the scenes; don’t necessarily look for attention; believe anonymity is always a good thing; and some can even get a bit perturbed when a simple thank-you comes their way.  To them I say:  ‘Stop reading now.  It might perturb you’.

I am thankful for the Trustees of Emmanuel.  There is an interesting history amidst the Trustees of Emmanuel, dating back to the large building project a decade ago.  However, I believe there is a saying in regards to the Trustees of any church that is not unlike being an umpire or referee of a baseball game.  They only get noticed when things are not going well.

The Trustees have the 2^nd largest budget of any of the 12 ministry teams.  There is a reason for this (and a valid argument that their budget should be larger).  They have to make sure that the things you don’t notice when you walk into the building stay un-noticed.  For example, no one notices the carpet until the carpet is dirty.  No one notices the parking lot unless it gets potholes.  No one notices the tree until it falls on a car.  No one notices the roof until it leaks.  No one notices the bathrooms until you are told you can’t use it.  No one notices the parsonage (and some don’t even know where it is…. See?  The pastor likes anonymity too.) until the 82 gallon hot water heater stops working.

Not that we should look for attention.  That isn’t my point.  We should do what God Calls us to do because God is good to us.  Period.  However, sometimes God also wants us to find that person who likes anonymity and say ‘thank you’.

Now no ministry team is perfect (and, no, I’m not going to list all of our flaws) and the Trustees are no exception.  There are projects that get stuck in adverse limbo.  However, I think there is a unique challenge for a team that does behind-the-scenes work.  When the Worship Team does well, you can see it in front of you… experience it.  When the Missions Team does well, it gets celebrated and we feel glad for helping those in need.  But when the Trustees do well, it can be missed because it’s their job to help you NOT notice the assumptions you make (a smooth parking lot, an unleaky roof, a working bathroom, a clean carpet).

So I want to say ‘thank you’ to the Trustees.  Some of them may not like the attention, but too bad (I already told you to stop reading after the first paragraph).  The building is getting used 6 or 7 days a week by 300+ people every week.  There are unique challenges that come with such a schedule.  It isn’t easy.  The Trustees have worked all year to step up their game.  While they are not where they want to be, positive steps forward have been taken….. even if you haven’t noticed.  Momentum is being gained.

Elevator inspections; fire alarm management; hiring cleaners; fixing leaky pipes; replacing dishwashers; fixing furnaces; changing light bulbs; fixing toilets; tweaking sump pumps; painting; replacing broken windows; getting keys made; shampooing carpets; ….  Why am I trying to list everything????

Thank you.

God is Good,

Pastor Joe