by Barbara Lyghtel Rohrer
Decades ago, the general manager of a Walgreens called a friend, a stay-at-home mom, who had worked in the store’s cosmetics department while she was in school. He asked her to come back to work and manage the department. Her first inclination was to say, oh no, I can help, but I don’t want to be in charge.
“I don’t need help,” the manager said. “I need someone to take over.”
I think of her as I write these words. I spoke similar thoughts at our town hall meeting on May 4. I reiterate them here because I am better at writing than speaking.
We are blessed in our church community with many willing, helping hands. I hope that never goes away, as that is the life blood of a successful community. And as I look about the work that is needed in this church, I see individuals stepping forward to take on leadership roles. But I also see areas where additional leadership is needed.
So I write to ask each of you to consider: where is there a lack of leadership in the needs of our church and is that a role you can fill –– to take responsibility for, recruit help, secure resources, do whatever is necessary to make that one piece of work your chosen work and make it successful?For example, a number of years ago, I ran a couple of rummage sales and then hung up my apron. There were a few years when others stepped forward to do the same, but there was no consistency to build upon year after year. There were even years where there were no rummage sales.
I knew a rummage sale could be a significant part of our fundraising efforts, but who was going to do it? I saw lots of helping hands, but no one was stepping forward and saying I will own this piece. That’s when I realized that, oh, I am to be that person. For whatever reason, I have a knack for running such sales. Not to use that gift for my beloved community would not be right. So I have made the rummage sale my own. It is my ministry to our church. And I have found, after running the sale for several years, I have gotten it to point where it has become turnkey for me. I even find that my frustration over some wrinkle that inevitably pops up every year rolls easily off my back. Now my proclamation to never run a rummage sale again lasts only five minutes instead of 24 hours.
I know I am not the only one who has stepped forward to make a particular volunteer responsibility their own. I salute all who have, as I ask the rest of you: what can you make your own? Is there a volunteer function which you are willing and able to take charge of and run with? Not just help, but take responsibility for its management. Be a leader.
None of us have to do everything. And I know that many of you have other obligations that prevent you from doing more than helping. Only you can answer the question as to what you give at this time. But please do not ignore the question.
As for my friend, she did take on the management of the cosmetic department as her old boss asked and wound up building a successful career at Walgreens.
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/2u4rbfw2