Ahh yes... there's a piece of my inner work that's still in process. Am I overstepping my bounds? This question suggests that I feel I don't have a right to say something that is true for me in certain circumstances. That I should mind my place, and defer to others with higher rank than mine to control the outcome. Countering this mindset is deeply spiritual work, requiring intentional nurture of one's own sense of inherent dignity and worth, recognizing oneself as uniquely gifted, and taking risks in relationships with others.
As an office administrator in a Unitarian Universalist church for seven years, I frequently encountered this question in an environment that could not always produce a clear answer. Church offices are tiny hubs of humanity where the most unexpected things can and do happen. A death, an emergency, conflicts between members, a leaky roof, copier malfunction, a visitor needing a tour, or a bag of food, or pastoral care... you never know. Stepping over bounds is both necessary and tricky in church culture, where rank is often subjective and ambiguous.
In a well-functioning church office, administrators free their ministers to focus on their ministries, and provide valuable support to committees, congregants, colleagues, contractors, and anyone else who comes through the door on a given day. To be an excellent administrator in this setting requires more than the characteristics stated in the job description -- organized, efficient, accurate, flexible, responsible, trustworthy, computer savvy, problem solver. Indeed, church administrators must also draw upon a different skillset unknown and unseen by many in the congregation, which calls them to deliver their unique inner gifts, whatever they may be.
Whether the administrator knows it or not, identifies as a Unitarian Universalist or not, this part of their work is a vital ministry. Yet many congregations don't recognize administrators as having a spiritual leadership role, and many administrators don't recognize their own spiritual leadership.
In addition, church administrators often face other difficult challenges:
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too much work for the hours
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outdated and inefficient computer and office equipment
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high level of expertise, with little authority
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little or no support for professional development and growth
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low compensation, cannot earn a living wage, and may not receive benefits
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church leadership doesn't offer consistent support and advocacy for staff
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poor communication amongst leaders causes misunderstandings and tension
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cultural view of church administrator as easily replaceable, undervalued
I invite you to reflect for a moment on whether these challenges may be present in your church.
As Unitarian Universalists we affirm and promote our principles in daily life, in relationships with one another, and in the world. A good question to ask is how your church might better extend this faith ideology to create right relationships with staff members beyond the minister. How might you use covenant to nurture a mutual sense of belonging and accountability? How might you collaborate with your administrator to overcome organizational challenges and create a healthier working environment?
Consider inviting your congregational administrator into a series of conversations, and take notice when they are delivering their gifts of spiritual leadership. Let them see your unique gifts. Invite your administrator into meetings or to give input where their expertise and gifts can be valued, witnessed and experienced by others. Include your administrator in decisions of mutual interest. Honor their unique place in your congregation, and support them in their growth. By fully integrating our administrators into the vital shared ministry of church, we lower the barriers to Beloved Community and are strengthened by their inclusion.
"We experience Beloved Community whenever and wherever individuals, groups and institutions choose connection, individuality, creativity and mindfulness over separation, individualism, destruction and denial. Beloved Community rests in the awareness that - all evidence to the contrary - we belong to one another." From
BeTheLove.net
