There was a sign in the churchyard yesterday that was most definitely appropriate. The “Workers Ahead” sign was erected by the crews of a tree trimming service who were working on the utility right of way on the north slope of the church’s property to trim trees away from power lines that run through that easement.

But the sign was an equally valid description of what was going on inside of the church. There were definitely workers ahead and all around in the church. Tomorrow is the first day of a rummage sale. Twice each year, once in the spring and once in the summer, our congregation has a gigantic rummage sale. The sales, begun by the women’s fellowship to raise funds for the mission of the group, were already fairly big events when I came to be pastor of the church 18 years ago. And they have continued to grow. For this sale, there is merchandise outdoors on the lawn and the porte cochere, in the entryway and narthex, crammed into the fellowship hall, in a classroom in the west wing and in the fireside room in at the end of the north hallway.

It takes days of hauling, sorting, organizing and pricing to prepare for the sale. The volunteers at the church are very good about working around the other mission and ministries of the church. Life goes on in the midst of preparations for the sale. Yesterday we had our office open, met with a couple planning a wedding, had meetings of groups in the church, planned a leadership retreat and engaged in the normal business of the church. The rummage sale workers began set up after worship on Sunday and the building will be returned to normal and ready for worship next Sunday. The amount of labor required is immense.

Of course, like other jobs in the church, it is fun work. The people enjoy being together, there is plenty of good food, conversation is lively and there are plenty of jokes and laughter as the work proceeds.

We are amazed at the amount of rummage that is donated. We are amazed at the numbers of customers who show up at the sale. With each sale, we wonder whether or not the next sale will have to be smaller simply because we will have run out of rummage, or customers, or workers to set up and staff the sale. And each year the sales continue to grow. Each time we hear the words, “our biggest ever!” and then that record falls with another successful sale.

The funds raised are invested predominantly in mission and outreach. The women’s fellowship does make an annual contribution to the operating budget of the church, but the majority of its budget goes to groups and agencies providing direct service to people in need. The sale itself provides a service to the community by making quality merchandise and clothing available at very low prices. As they retire and downsize, there are members of our congregation who donate many quality items. Much of the merchandise is very serviceable. There are always a few large items. This year, there is a snow blower, a rototiller, a patio furniture set, plenty of other furniture, and many new or like new household items. Persons living with modest incomes can find some real bargains at the sale.

Rummage sale time is always a bit hectic for those of us who work in the building. There is a lot of coming and going, frequent distractions, interruptions with questions and concerns, and opportunities to visit with the people who are volunteering their time. For the most part, it is a lot of fun. We enjoy working in the church and we like to see others enjoy church work as well. We like the people of the church and having them around. We probably are a bit less productive during the week because we have to take a look at all of the things on the sale and want to stop and visit with the people. But all of that is part of the real business of the church. The work of the church isn’t confined to offices and computer screens. It consists primarily of what our people do to serve others. And a lot of that service is just plain hard work, lifting and carrying, sorting and arranging – doing what it requires to get the job done.

Yes, there are workers ahead. There would be no church without the dedication and service of the volunteers who are so generous with their time and labor. And quite frankly, it is an honor to be allowed to work alongside such dedicated people.

During my training to become a minister, I worked in a large multiple-staff church. One of the amazing things that happened each week in that particular congregation was the staff meeting. There were a dozen people who worked full-time in the church and another four or five part-time employees. We would gather once a week. The meeting would begin with a prayer and then the senior minister would line out the work that others needed to attend to. When he finished, he’d leave the room and those of us who remained sorted out how to accomplish the tasks he had lined out. I vowed never to be that kind of a leader. If a job is worth doing, I was going to be willing to get in there and do the work. I don’t want to ever become someone who is above any of the jobs of the church. That attitude is a good fit for a congregational church where the members are in charge and the work is shared in a non-hierarchical arrangement.

When the sale is ended on Saturday and the excess items need to be boxed for donation to other organizations and the tables have to be taken down and the furniture arranged for Sunday, I plan to be there, lifting, carrying, cleaning and helping.

There is no better place for a pastor than in the midst of the people of the church. When people see the sign “Workers Ahead,” I hope that I can be among the workers.

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