|
|
I was just a high school guy when I first met Lola. I came to church
mostly to play basketball and baseball. No pray, no play, as they say.
I would come around sometimes to play Ping-Pong with the Youth minister,
Hayden Stewart. When I was an officer in the youth group, then in the student
group, I would often go to the church office. That's where Lola was. |
|
Lola was a Church Secretary. I didn't know much about secretaries in those
days. I only know that if you wanted to get something announced, you saw
Lola. And if you wanted to set a date for something, it was Lola
who knew what was happening when and where. And usually why. |
|
I came on staff for a year as Minister of Youth. That made it official.
Lola was staff secretary. My secretary too. I didn't have a clue about
how to make good use of a secretary. I think she sort of steered me straight
when I didn't know it. As memory serves, my work got done. She was
in all the staff meetings with her ready smile and laugh. She had
a good spirit and a good sense of what was going on. |
|
We exchanged letters occasionally while I was off doing Seminary.
I counted on her being in the office—as she always seemed to be—whenever
I showed up. She was a connection during some big church events of
my life, including wedding, ordination, and child dedications. |
|
She was largely responsible for my moving to Los Angeles. Her brother,
Clarence was on the pulpit committee there. Lola recommended me. |
|
After 25 years of pulpit ministry, I quit. My first Sunday was at
University Christian Church, where Lola greeted cheerfully, then with disappointment
at my quitting. When I expressed uncertainty about what I would do next,
she hoped I would at least keep writing. I told her I had thought of publishing
occasional “Moments.” Lola immediately wrote out a check for $50.00. |
|
Now, that hit me. I had not thought of outside financial help. In
fact, we have never solicited financial support. It was a compliment and
a nudge. And it was a sacrifice. I knew that Lola was not a person of financial
means. What church secretary is? |
|
So, Lola became the first contributor to Moment Ministries. We've
been going for 21 years since that time. She launched the ship.
I promised her a lifetime subscription to the Blue Sheet. (It continues
to Dale!) |
|
I learned from watching Lola that it's not the Minister who makes the church
go, it's the Church Secretary. I've always remembered that and appreciated
the various secretaries I've had along the way. They can thank Lola for
my appreciation of that job. |
|
There must be a special place in the Whatever Comes Next for Church Secretaries.
Lola’s on her way. I’d bet she's still smiling.
—
Art
Morgan, Jan. 2000
|