This season of intense yet innovative faith formation looks nothing like the job description I was given when I was originally hired. What about you?

Each of us brings something more to the table once we get our sea legs under us after the first year. When we dock our fishing boat at a new harbor we are given that original job description, then we typically don’t see it again. Understanding church culture, I got into the habit of updating my job description, even if only for myself, each year in January. In that update, I assign percentages of how much time it takes weekly to accomplish each task with many bullet points assigned “seasonal”.

Each year we learn new skills, adjustments take place in organizational charts, new services or buildings or leadership are added to the mix. All affect how we live out our roles and the realistic time it takes to do everything ‘as unto the Lord.’

I’ve heard of churches making a person’s job description a one-liner, but it’s not been my experience. My one-liner might read, “to create safe, irresistible and transformational faith formation experiences for children so they love the Lord their God with their whole heart and mind for their whole lives.”

We are naive to think that local churches aren’t going to be making changes in the weeks and months to come. Changes in leadership, budgets, space, updates to organizational charts, processes, systems, security, safety, school schedules, all have a part to play in the rhythm of church world. Rather than waiting with anxious breath and fear taking up space in your head, take an hour this week to take a fresh look and edit your job description.

No one knows what you do, but you. Make it a matter of prayer and release your leadership from knowing all that you do or how long it takes to do it. They already have in their heads what you do and it’s not even close. In all fairness, we don’t know what all they do either, and that’s okay. Don’t get caught in the comparison trap or the weeds of disappointment from unmet expectations. Remember, the goal is organizational health. Remember the tasks for which you will be evaluated should take priority and this is a great way to bring yourself back within some navigational beacons.

What you did in September 2020 is way different than what you focused on in September 2019, and it looked differently again in September 2023. Many children’s ministry directors I know are now also directing weekday preschools, women’s ministries, even cooking Wednesday night dinners because they love their churches and we do what we’re asked stepping in where we’re needed.

Fix a cup of something warm and tasty and take an hour this week to update your job description, even if just for yourself. Editing your job description now will help you and your leadership prioritize when and if any adjustments need to be made in the future. The SPRC (Staff Parish Relations Committee) held one-on-one meetings last week where I serve to gather this information. More importantly, they prayed over each of us and said, “I see you.” I could almost cry.

You Just Gotta Know: Struggles and challenges look differently today. I’m standing in the gap for you. Perhaps you are facing your Esther moment, your Daniel moment. That moment when you feel a push to bravely speak up, wave the banner for your families with a louder voice, even fight for spaces and places just to love your kids to Jesus. I’m standing in the gap in prayer and support for you. This blog post is the result of someone reaching out.

I fully believe God wants to hang your picture in the gallery of faith between Hebrews 11 and 12. Can I help? Need a Mordecai or a Shadrach or Meshach to your Abednego? Let’s share the journey, the struggle, and the celebrations. You are in the World’s Toughest Race!  I’m on your team! Let’s give ’em something to talk about! If you can get to me, let’s do tea on my back porch or pick up a chai tea latte from the local coffee shop. Who’s in? Reach out to dedereilly@comcast.net.  

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6