I dread giving reports in Church meetings. There are so many reports required, and I never really know what the different groups want or need to hear from me.
The Board, I think, wants to know what I have been doing in the community and other things that relate to the “business of the church.” So, building use requests, what is going on with the homeless folks camping on the church steps, when I am taking vacation or attending a conference/continuing education course, any meetings I have had with other churches and organizations. Or maybe the good news that the last several people who have joined the church understand tithing and participation, unlike all the teenagers who joined last year. Perhaps they want to know the attendance at our new, experimental weeknight worship service. I am sure they would be interested to hear that our Pentecost service had a higher attendance than Easter! Or do I report that to the Spiritual Growth Team, who are in charge of worship stuff? I think they want to know about all the admin stuff, but I could be wrong. At least they never complain about my reports so I guess I’m giving them what they want.
The Elders also require a monthly report. When I asked what that report should consist of they said, “anything you think the Elders need to know.” OK. That’s clear. So, I tell them about pastoral things, like serving as Chaplain at church camp for pre-teens and doing invocations at civic events and talking to shut-ins and folks who have been sick recently.
Sometimes I might mention counseling someone about sexual orientation and/or gender identity or when I get an email crediting me with saving someone’s life, because something I said kept them from suicide that day. I don’t share names, of course, or any identifying details. I have told them how difficult it is to do counseling or even home visits when I have to avoid being completely alone with them, so someone must at least be in the next room with a door open, because of ethical boundary issues.
My Pastoral Relations Committee asks me to describe my Sadnesses, Surprises, Successes, Satisfactions, and Solutions being Sought. Frankly, if I don’t think about it from one meeting to the next I am at a loss to come up with these. Plus I’m not sure what the difference is between Successes and Satisfactions. I think I would have to keep a daily record of those things so I would have a meaningful report. (Note to self: start a daily log of the 5 S’s)
But what do I do with things like - talking to a family not in our church about their mother’s funeral, and being told that I am easy to talk to, that they are grateful I am helping them? What do I do with the lunchtime conversations with another clergy person who just needs a listening ear? Where do I share about the various discussion groups I attend on human sexuality, communication skills, and maintaining healthy relationships. Or how I spend a lot of time with people who are not church folks, even atheists or pagan, because they need to know Christians aren’t all jerks. I know I needed to know that!
I understand that they want and even need to know how I am doing, and what I am doing. I just wish I could keep clear in my head who needs or wants to hear what. All I know for sure is that all these reports give me a headache!
