Occasionally the people that I refer to as "congregation communicators" are in job positions that their congregations see as a person to answer the phone and let's give them some jobs to do while they're sitting there. My hope is to get rid of that perception of the secretary-type jobs.

One important part of all ministry positions (and yes, your job is a ministry position) is continuing education. No matter how much you know, you don't know everything. No matter how much your congregation insists that you do your job well enough, you can do it better. I see excellent work being done when I read your newsletters and use your websites, but change and improvement keep a person's work high-quality and keeps it fun for you too.

If you need help convincing your council to let you out of the office, show them the synod Minimum Compensation and Benefits Guidelines. On page 10 of the 2007 guidelines you will find the following on continuing education for Lay Professionals:

"Continuing education time should be provided for associates in ministry/lay professionals for updating skills and for professional growth in order to strengthen their ministries. This time should be considered as necessary for improving and building ministry - it is not vacation time. It is recommended that a minimum of two weeks (which may include weekends) and $600 be granted annually accumulative up to three years. The ELCA expects a minimum of 50 contact hours annually in continuing education. A contact hour is defined as a typical 50-minute classroom instructional session or the equivalent."

Keep in mind that this is for full-time staff, if you are partial time, it would be adjusted accordingly.

Can't get away from the office? There are probably retired people, high schoolers in the summer or during school breaks, and stay-at-home parents who would love to help you out. Catch up on the bulletin, newsletter, etc. ahead of time and leave them instructions for answering the phones and taking care of visitors.

If you can't find anyone, consider taking an online course. You could then do your continuing education from your desk.

Looking for continuing edcuation opportunities? The 2007 schedule for the communicators' meetings is now available!