My church had an important congregational meeting recently. As part of the meeting, we had a classic packet of handouts, including our proposed budget, an agenda, and minutes to approve. When I began at my current church, we had a secretary who did the task of printing and assembling these. But we no longer have a secretary1 so it was me and my spouse2 who were printing and stapling the morning of the meeting.
I’m sure most folks in the congregation didn’t think much about these meeting packets. They were fairly mundane, all things considered. But when I was in the parking lot ready to head home, a church member stopped me to let me know she noticed that I had put those handouts together.
“Thanks for wearing your secretary hat!" she said.
I immediately grinned. “Thanks for noticing!” I replied.
It was good to have one of my many roles acknowledged. Pastors often are wearing many hats. When I am doing work outside of the church that multiplicity only increases. I feel like my closet is overflowing with hats. Importantly, I like having a lot of hats!
The wearing many hats metaphor helps me understand another common work problem: job creep. Because taking on the task of printing out these packets could be a part of increasing expectations without increase in pay or hours. Job creep is what happens when extra and increasing tasks are taken for granted and become part of expected work.
But that’s not exactly what was happening with me. I wasn’t being taken for granted, I was being acknowledged. My congregant basically said, hey, what a weird and new hat you’re wearing!
And, importantly, on that Sunday I made sure that I wasn’t doing too many extra or different tasks. I didn’t preach (we had a time of conversation instead), I didn’t research any new music, and I made sure to not go into the church building too early because I knew I’d be staying late.
Hats are such a good metaphor for a healthy relationship with multiple identities because they’re exchangeable. You can just take a hat off. Hopefully it’s not permanently welded to your head. Hats are also a great metaphor because I don’t think there’s a hat I would want to wear all the time, but there’s plenty I want to wear situationally.
Many hats = fun fashion accessories people often compliment. Job creep = drowning in the swamp of unrealistic expectations.
I’ll stick with the hats, thank you.
It’s my birthday this week!
In celebration, I’m running my annual sale on yearly subscriptions. Reminder for clergy especially, subscriptions like this one are a great use of continuing education funds.
Additionally, if you’re local to the Cleveland area come to Saturday Church with my congregation on June 29th at 5pm. We’re using my birthday as an excuse to have a joyful gathering together complete with pizza and cake.
What I’m reading
I really enjoyed this saga by Leah Beckman about the very weird ads that pop up on Kindle screens. I cackled through the whole story—would recommend as a silly commentary on bizarre advertisements and the world of AI.
What life looks like
I try to help make sure Josh isn’t doing too much extra church work because he’s definitely not getting paid for it, but I’m grateful for the occasions he cheerfully and willingly pitches in.
Happy Birthday, Rachel! May it be filled with many affirmations and expressions of appreciation!