Remembering the Basics…

Some pastors have forgotten the basics of being decent and kind. The range is from saying ‘thank you’ to returning phone calls to simply following through on promises made.

Years ago while attending an orientation for being a Summer Pennsylvania State Park Chaplain, the seminar leader made the following statement: “The success of your ministry will be determined by the strength of your administrative skills”.

Administration is a spiritual gift. The ability to structure a day, establish priorities, and follow through on promises made, TBD lists scribbled down, and the basic actions of saying thank you and returning phone calls is lacking in many of today’s clergy.

Perhaps its a sense of entitlement or even not being aware of the importance of these practices. These aspects of ministry are highlighted because I personally do not see clergy doing the basics of not just ministry, but being a decent person.

I had a boss in the Delaware Guard who provided the following advice: 1) Always return phone calls promptly, even if the answer to their question is not what they want to hear; 2) Bad news does not get better with time; and 3) Always say thanks to people who are gracious and generous to you.

That was good advice then and it’s good advice now!! In fact, my 4th grade teacher mesmerized the class with magic words….Please, Thank You, and You’re welcome.

Magic? No, just being decent.