Fall Festival
On October 12th of 2024, we had our annual Fall Festival at the church. This is an outreach for the community, where our church family helps to run games, activities and give a free lunch to anyone who attends. And the best part is that everyone from the church pitches in to help make it a success.
In a moment, I would like to tell you about a few examples of servant leadership I saw. But first, I want to share something else with you.
I was talking to a brother in Christ and he asked if I planned on going to the festival. I think I responded something like “I’m not sure.” You see, I am an introvert so going to an event, any event, is not in my nature. Afterwards, I am always happy for the experience but beforehand, my psyche is looking to rationalize not going and staying home. I think I can say confidently, that I could never leave my house if I didn't need to. As an even more clear example, the stay at home due to Covid (except for essential activities rule), had no impact on me whatsoever.
So, I started arguing with myself…should I go or should I blow it off? My granddaughter lives in another state so she wouldn’t be there. My wife was out of town, so she wouldn’t be going. Unless you are a true extrovert (if you are you have no clue what I mean regarding arguing with myself to do something), you can see a glimpse into my mental argument.
Ultimately, I decided to go because it was the right thing to do from a servant leadership perspective. I consider myself to be among the leaders in the church. Not an elder, but among the leaders and this has responsibilities. You see, I managed a department prior to my retiring and I’ve always striven to be a good servant leader. For me, that meant that I had to push myself to socialize and interact with my team, peers,
and the CEO instead of hiding in my office and just doing the work. The CEO I had when I retired was an excellent servant leader. He did little things to let every employee know that he cared about them. For example, he would regularly (when he wasn’t traveling or having some business lunch) have lunch in the cafeteria and invite himself to join random tables of employees. It was his way to have an opportunity to know some of the employees in a non-working situation. I held him in high regard for this, among other things that I learned from him.
Today, I arrived fashionably after 11am (that in and of itself was hard for me but that is a different issue). I saw an Elder manning some of the games. Then I walked into the building and I saw Pastor moving at his usual crazy speed attending to issues, greeting and welcoming people, and trying to solve needs as they popped up. Both wonderful examples of the most senior leaders of our church pitching in to make the community event successful. I saw many other leaders in our church and I considered mentioning some more examples but I’m afraid I’ll leave someone out.
Point is, I saw people greeting community visitors, running games and activities, serving food, goffering things such as fans (it was warm in the lobby) and many other needs to support the success of the community event. My contribution, besides showing up, was to great people with a smile on my face and demonstrate my desire to have fun to others (I know, you are thinking big deal but for this introvert, it was a lot. And I had already provided some of the prizes as a contribution).
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,
for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” - 1 Timothy 3:1-13 ESV
Being a leader in the church, besides whatever role you are responsible for, carries other requirements as well. Putting yourself out for the congregation to see and interact with is definitely a part of those requirements. Am I glad I went today? Absolutely! I had a great time both with the activities and in communion with my brothers and sisters as well as community visitors. Am I going to argue with myself the next time? Absolutely I am! After all… I’m afraid.
