“What a beautiful service!” “This night was so inspirational and meaningful.” “Everything about tonight was wonderful!”
These comments, and more, were spoken to me last Sunday evening following a service of ordination. The individual who was being ordained began a process some five years ago, including the earning of a three-year Master of Divinity degree. As the bishop for Georgia and Tennessee for our denomination, I was the one who ordained him. But I was not the one who made everything so meaningful and inspirational.
Many people are quick to give all the credit to the one in charge or the one out front. It happens in nearly every organization and business. Yet, while the leader has his or her part to play, were it not for others who work just as hard behind the scenes, the results would not be so positive.
For example, the family of the man being ordained has walked this journey with him, offering support and encouragement, for years. The men who have been part of the Commission on Ordained Ministry met with the candidate several times and his local church council also weighed in with their recommendation. For some time prior to the other evening, the church administrator kept records straight and kept the communication lines open.
Even before the service, singers and musicians were practicing on cold, dark nights in preparation for the event. The young people who served as acolytes, the readers of scripture, those who lead prayers, those who kept the building warm and bright, the photographer, the folks who operated the projectors, the sound system, and the recording devices — all had vital jobs that had to be done well.
Other clergy came from across the region to participate, to have a part in the service, and to show support for the ordinand, some driving over two hours one way. Then there were the two instructors from Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) who have helped to instruct and shape the one being ordained with over 1000 hours (so far) in the CPE program. And there were several CPE students who were among the audience. Certainly, there were members of the man’s congregation in attendance, many of whom had been praying for this event for years.
Even after the service was complete, the influence of friends behind the scenes was evident as the congregation moved into the fellowship hall to a beautiful spread of food, drink, and dessert. Many dedicated a Sunday afternoon and on into the night to setting up, cooking, hosting, and cleaning up afterwards.
Most successful organizations and churches work just like this. There are a few who are seen, who are the public face of the group, but they are by no means the most important person in the organization. The people who deserve the thanks and the compliments are the men, women, youth, and children who work faithfully, not expecting recognition. These are the people who make things happen.
[David Epps is the pastor of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Sharpsburg, GA (www.ctkcec.org). He is the bishop of the Mid-South Diocese which consists of Georgia and Tennessee (www.midsouthdiocese.org) and the Associate Endorser for the Department of the Armed Forces, U.S. Military Chaplains, ICCEC. He may contacted at [email protected].]
