In the last congregation I served, I was once interviewing a candidate for a youth leader position. I had asked the young woman about her spiritual journey, about the gifts that she felt she brought to ministry, and about what she saw as the special challenges young people face. And then I asked, "How do you feel about working in a church setting?"

It was a question I had other applicants. I was expecting to hear a response indicating some humility about the spiritual responsibility involved and perhaps not feeling spiritually developed enough for the calling, but instead, the young woman remarked, "It's funny you should ask. I mentioned to some of my friends that I was applying for a job in a church, and they asked me why I would ever want to do that! But I don't think the church is really all that bad. No, I don't have any problems with working in the church." It was not the answer I was expecting!

I have written previously about how over the last 40 years, ministry has changed from a high-status, low-stress vocation to a low-status, high-stress one. Our society today regards church workers with suspicion if not disdain. Persons who serve in all forms of ministry today do so out of a call from God and a conviction that their work is meaningful and important. Indeed, persons entering ministry today can expect much lower income relative to other professionals with graduate degrees, or even to those who entered ministry a generation ago. (Please remember that when you are calling a new pastor, or reviewing your current pastor's terms of call.)

This Tuesday's presbytery meeting in Mt. Pleasant will mark the fourth anniversary of my election to serve as your executive presbyter. I have been blessed over these past four years by the support of our congregations and leaders, and the warmth of your welcome. This has indeed been a very gratifying place to serve. My call to serve here has been reaffirmed time and again.

What makes it especially gratifying is the team of presbytery staff with whom I am blessed to serve. Presbytery work, like service in congregations, is often misunderstood and underappreciated, so I am deeply grateful for our presbytery staff. You can find them listed on our presbytery website, but I would like to offer a few words of introduction myself.

Ted McCulloch has served as  the Stated Clerk of our Presbytery since 2010, but has been a member of our presbytery for 30 years, as pastor in Taymouth, and now at First Presbyterian Church, Saginaw. Ted is a gifted clerk and pastor and has the respect of colleagues across the denomination. He is wise and dedicated in helping our presbytery function decently and in order.

Staci Percy has served as our Communications Manager and Recording Clerk since 2004, making her the senior member of the presbytery staff. She brings energy, creativity, and passion for the mission of our church to her work. The Bi-weekly Brief is just one of her many responsibilities. She is also the institutional memory of the office, a devoted runner, and is especially gifted at "mom-hugs" (or so I am told).

Rose Onan is our Administrative Assistant and Office Manager, and has served the presbytery since 2011. She is an organizational wizard whose attention to the many details of administration is extraordinary. She is also primarily responsible for keeping me on task and on time! As our receptionist, she provides a warm, supportive, and professional welcome to visitors and vendors. Rose is an avid Carolina Panther and CMU football fan.

Tracy Carr is our newest staff member, having joined us as Financial Secretary in 2017. Tracy oversees the financial details of our mission, including bill and payroll processing, producing financial reports, tracking mission and per capita payments, budget, and church loans. Her quick wit and self-effacing personality make her the perfect fit for our team. Tracy loves animals and raises horses.