A Salute to Administrative Assistants to celebrate their special week

Commemorated annually since 1952, when originated in the United States as National Secretaries Week, Administrative Professionals Week is now observed in several countries throughout the world. This is only one of the important changes in the profession the week reflects.

Typewriters have given way to computers; formal correspondence has been largely replaced by email; mimeographs are long forgotten. Technological progress continues to advance at warp speed. Even as you read, your office machines and software are becoming obsolete.

More than technology has changed. While the profession remains overwhelmingly a female one, secretaries have changed. So have pastors. More than ever, today’s ministers recognize assistants’ potential and provide opportunities for them to use current skills and develop new ones.

Consequently, while the work of the church office has always been important, today’s office professionals are reaching new levels of accomplishment. You are more involved than your colleagues of fifty years ago in the administrative process, in decision making, and in planning and implementing long-term goals. This change is not just a shift in terminology. Regardless of title, the ministry assistant of 2013 is, in fact, an administrative professional.

Reflecting on the profession today, it is appropriate to acknowledge that church secretaries have traditionally brought to the job something extra, an intangible element hard to define—something beyond technical competence, positive attitude, or even commitment. This attribute shows itself in meticulous attention to details, in thoughtful actions, in a Christ-centered spirit.

Simply, ministry assistants serve. And you do it well.

Now, with more churches eager to use all the skills of all their staff and with technology providing the means to explore innovative techniques, you have unprecedented opportunity to be involved in ministry in new and exciting ways from professional looking printed materials to interactive websites. As always, you add to your work that something extra which has long been the hallmark of Christian professionals. Good for you!

Administrative Professionals Week 2013 is April 21-27 in the United States with Wednesday, April 24 designated as Administrative Professionals Day. The purpose is to recognize the significant contributions of your profession.

Effective Church Communications wishes you a great week.