Behind the Scenes

I am not a meeting person. Eleven years in the military and many years in a law firm groomed me to be a meeting hater. I can’t get into the “getting everyone on the same page” agenda. I have no patience for the need to smooth egos and set up pecking orders which seem to come with meetings. I nevertheless recognize the need for meetings. I usually try to push them to as quick an end as possible.

Meetings are part of the behind-the-scenes activity that is necessary for the success of any organization. As meeting hater, I was reluctant to accept a place on my church  board. After a year of service, however, I have to admit that the board meetings are among the best I have every had to endure. There is a sweet spirit of fellowship and coöperation in each meeting. Everyone present seems intent on finding and advancing God’s intention for our church.

There is much behind-the-scenes activity in church. I know we all tend to think of church as something that happens in a couple of hours each Sunday morning. There is so much more to it and so much more than we can expect a greatly underpaid staff to do. Churches are essentially volunteer organizations. The most successful ones are blessed with energetic, willing and humble volunteers.

There is much that needs to be done behind the scenes at our church. There is probably something that you are called to do. The easy excuse is that you are not qualified to do anything that needs doing. That’s where the wonder of church life comes through. God specializes in calling the unqualified and guiding and energizing them to success volunteering.

Be prayerful about what needs doing at your church. Then step up. You will be surprised at what God will do through you and the blessings it will bring.