Unsung Heroes Pt. 2

"Unsung Heroes" was intended to be a depiction of those who work behind-the-scenes to ensure an effective and successful General Assembly -- and I hope to return to that next week. But this week the "unsung heroes" who I want to lift up are those who work for our denomination at the national level, whether at 100 Witherspoon in Louisville or across the country.

The General Assembly Mission Council has adopted a 2013 budget that will mean further job cuts - on top of cuts that have now occurred regularly over the past several years. I don't intend for this post to debate the reasons why financial cutbacks are necessary. And I understand that job losses, reductions in hours worked, cutbacks in 401(k) plans, are, unfortunately, a fact of life for many Presbyterians.

What I do want to do is to lift up those who have discerned God calling them to be national staff for our denomination -- despite perilous job security, despite hearing only when things go wrong rather than when they go right, despite taking hits for things that they don't control. People always ask me, "what good is happening in the P.C. (USA)?" and one of my answers is, "the staff members who give their intelligence, energy, imagination and love without measure."

Some have asserted that the staff, working behind the scenes, controls what the church does. As co-moderator of a denominational task force for four years, and as Moderator for two, I can say such assertions are paranoidal idiocy. The staff simply seeks to carry out what we, the church, decide to do and they do so effectively.

So, today, I want to thank all, from Gradye Parsons and Linda Valentine on down, who work with faith and commitment for the upbuilding of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Comments

[Neal Lloyd]

AMEN! The General Assembly acts and critics blame the staff for implementing actions they don't agree with. What part of "governed by presbyters" don't folk understand. Praise be those who serve us. They deserve our thanks.

[Merritt Schatz]

As usual, you have expressed so eloquently the truth. I have had the privilege of working with several of the Louisville staffers over my 28 years as a parish minister, and they have been unfailingly resourceful, helpful, kind, and caring. I wish more people took the time to learn exactly what our staff does, and what this denomination is able to do because of them.

[Peggy Owens]

Thank you, Madame Moderator, for your wise and thoughtful words. In Mid-Kentucky Presbytery, we are privileged to have many of the denominational staff as active participants in our churches and the presbytery. They are faithful servants who love the Church despite all the "crap" they have to endure. I am honored to know many of them personally, and to work with them in local churches, the presbytery, and on the national level.

[Rosella McQuain]

Thank you for saying what many of us feel. Thank God for the staff and heaarfelt prayers for those who lost their jobs. I know we must be good stewards, but it is really a shame for them to be without work because we don't care enough to provide the funds to have our work done. Thanks to all of them and to you for your loyal service.