Nearly 200 Baptist church secretaries gathered at Judson College in Marion April 28–30 for the 41st annual conference of the Alabama Association of Baptist Secretaries.
“We come year after year for basically three reasons,” said outgoing president Evelyn Harris of Ashland. “We come for spiritual renewal. It’s a retreat setting and we get away from the busyness of our jobs and try to draw closer to God.
Harris also noted the conference allows participants to sharpen their work skills as well as learn new ones. “And we enjoy making connections with others. It’s wonderful to make friends and to encourage one another in this ministry,” she said.
Harris has been secretary for Carey and Clay Baptist Association for the last 13 years and is a member of First Baptist Church, Ashland.
Skill sessions during the week included developing church Web sites, using the software Excel and Publisher, improving bulletins and newsletters and learning about church legal issues.
“Computers have changed the way we do ministry,” Harris said. “It’s important that we keep up with new developments that help us do a better job of handling information.”
Developing people skills
Harris also believes the sessions on spiritual growth and people skills are important. “Church secretaries need to have an inside and an outside beauty,” she said. “They are often the person prospective members first see when they visit a church. We encourage secretaries to develop better skills in meeting people and presenting a positive witness for the Lord.”
Barry Cosper, pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in Bessemer, served as conference pastor/advisor, leading in several devotional sessions during the three days. Laurie Brasher of New Hope Baptist Church in Pell City was praise and worship leader.
Harris noted the rural setting of the college is a plus. “It’s a beautiful campus with beautiful facilities,” she said. “We’ve enjoyed getting away and coming here. The Judson staff has rushed to help whenever there’s been a need, and we’ve been well cared for.”
Although many businesses have stopped using the term “secretary,” preferring titles such as “administrative assistant” instead, Harris isn’t sure this title will catch on in Baptist life.
“I believe ‘ministry assistant’ may be the new title churches use in the future,” she said. “And even if they don’t, I still believe this is what church secretaries are. They are vital to the people-centered ministry we hold to be important.”
Many church professionals talk about overwork and having little discretionary time, so why should a secretary lay aside her tasks for three days and come to a conference like this?
“Sometimes we need to take a break for ourselves,” Harris said. “You’ll work harder to get caught up when you get back home, but you’ll feel better and be more productive in God’s work. It’s worth it.”
Though supported in part by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, the yearly conference is open for secretaries in any church or denomination.
Get more information by visiting www.alsbom.org/aabs/. (JC)
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