You’ve probably not heard of one of the highest-earning college athletes in 2023. He doesn’t play football. He doesn’t play basketball. Sam Hurley’s earnings are approaching $1million (On3.com), signing deals with Amazon, Jimmy Dean, Vuori, and Bubble. What sport does Hurley compete in? He is a high jumper for the University of Texas. This is surprising because track and field isn’t a sport that gets a huge number of spectators compared to NCAA football or basketball.
The way I see it…Some church roles don’t get the attention they deserve. Just like a track and field athlete, the following deserve as much applause as the star football player, a.k.a. the senior pastor.
- Associate Staff Members – I only refer to them as associates to distinguish them from the Senior or Lead Pastor. As one that has served as an associate staff member, I know how fulfilling and rewarding such a position can be. And from my experience as a senior pastor, I know how valuable having qualified and competent staff members are to experiencing a fruitful ministry. These include, but are not limited to, the music, education, student, children, preschool, executive ministers that fulfill the same type role the senior pastor does, but in their specific field of expertise. In recent years churches have adopted October as Pastor Appreciation Month which I wholeheartedly support. But when do we, as a local body, highlight and applaud his associates? Associate staff members are often overlooked.
- Ministry Assistants – Both my mother and mother–in-law were ministry assistants for 20+ years each. I witnessed both of them diligently carrying out administrative tasks for their pastors and church staff while simultaneously having conversations with people who dropped in, answering phones, managing testy office equipment, keeping up with technology, caring for member needs and so much more. Ministry assistants also have to keep confidences as a support role for the pastor and other ministers. They are the hub in the middle of the wheel, a lifeline between the members and staff. They are often overlooked.
- Custodians – This was my very first job in a church as a teenager, and I quickly learned how messy church people can be. Custodians are usually unseen, working when no one else is around. They seem to only get noticed when something isn’t done! They work behind the scenes doing the dirty work every week. The custodians are often overlooked.
- Ministry Volunteers – There are countless unpaid individuals who serve in every nook and cranny of the church. Volunteers give their time and energy in a variety of ways, often above and beyond a regular work week. Every pastor knows that without volunteers the church would not function and yet, it’s so easy to lose sight of the sacrifice volunteers give. Volunteers are often overlooked.
Senior Pastor… Do you have a team tasked with showing recognition to the overlooked servants in your church? You don’t have to pay them 1 million dollars in endorsement deals, but let them know publicly how important they are to the life of the church.
Keith Durham 