A Woman of Excellence: Your Church Secretary

April 22, 2009 | 8 comments

She’s able to photocopy, collate and staple 500 documents in a single bound, takes phone calls while proofreading the bulletin and fixing the copier machine! She swoops in to save any distressed parishioner, all while navigating past the pile of parcels that church members have left in the office doorway!

Who is this woman?

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s …

SUPER-SECRETARY!

Today is Administrative Professionals Day, formerly known as Secretary’s Day. It’s a day to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants and receptionists. But today, I especially honor church secretaries, because yesterday I had the privilege of speaking with a group of these beautifully gifted women. (Clarification: Hats off to the many male secretaries as well, though my day was spent honoring women from churches in our region.)

Together, we discussed what it means to be a “Woman of Excellence” in a world that defines excellence by fortune, accomplishment, fame, outward beauty. Together, we determined that excellence lies in who we are, and less in what we do. Together, we resolved to measure our lives by our “to-be” lists, rather than our “to-do” lists.

In our search for the meaning of excellence, we pondered this treasure in 1 Corinthians 12:31: … “And now I will show you the most excellent way.”

The most excellent way: Love.

Today, may you find a moment to “Love Excellently,” by honoring a church secretary you know.

Photo: Table favors with glass slippers,
a reminder of the Kingdom to which we belong,
a reminder of the King who taught us how to Love Excellently.
Special thanks to friend Nancy F. for the inspiration she gave
for these handmade tokens of love.

by | April 22, 2009 | 8 comments

8 Comments

  1. Angie

    I have been that woman, a church secretary. These behind the scene people are rarely acknowledged…so nice of you.

    Reply
  2. Monica

    Thank you for the reminder. Yes, I will bless her…

    Reply
  3. Billy Coffey

    Angie’s right. Church secretaries are much over-looked and very under-appreciated.

    Our church has nearly a thousand members, three to four services a week, and a pastor who seldom sleeps and never stops talking.

    And she must be the ringleader of it all.

    I’ll have to send her an email and a link to this post.

    Reply
  4. Saleslady371

    What a nice tribute to church secretaries. They are wonderful servants. So glad you had that opportunity to encourage those gals!

    Reply
  5. elaine @ peace for the journey

    Jennifer:
    Well, you’ve hooked me. I’m adding you to my blog list. I also wanted you to know that I referenced your posts about “waking the earth” on my latest blog post. Hope it sends some readers your way.

    Keep to the pen and to our Jesus. You have an incredible gift.

    peace~elaine

    Reply
  6. Laura

    Oh, dear, Jennifer. Here it is 10pm and too late to wish our super secretary a day of loving excellently!

    Guilty of doing the overlooking.

    I’ll have to make up for it tomorrow.

    My thanks to you and your glass slippers! :)Laura

    Reply
  7. Femin Susan

    What a nice tribute to church secretaries.Glad you had that opportunity to encourage those gals!
    cheers!

    Reply
  8. Wanda

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I think our mutual friend must be Angie… What a sweetheart she is.

    Yes, Church Secretaries ~~ the unsung hero’s that keep the church moving. Since my husband and I were in Church ministry for years and years… we have had many wonderful Church Secretaries, and when we didn’t have one… I filled in.

    How sweet of you to celebrate these dear servants of the Lord and the church.

    Love and Hugs
    Wanda

    Reply

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