Typing! I laughed at the guys who took the typing class while I went off to football or baseball practice. Typing was for secretaries and secretaries were female. So why would a guy take a typing class?
Of course, I am dating myself to a time long, long ago, and thankfully, my attitudes have changed. In addition, I can now type 70 words per minute—if the spelling doesn’t count. If I want to be able to read what I type, it is down to five words per minute using the one finger method. I wish I had broken through stereotypes and taken typing when I was in school.
Secretariat is about keeping records. At one time I didn’t think this was important either. My attitude has changed here as well. When employees want to retire, it is important their records are correct. When a church or school has an insurance claim, they want to know they are properly recorded in the sisterhood of churches. When subsidies based on membership are issued by the General Conference, North American Division, or Union, correct membership figures are important. Records are even important when conducting a history of a group or organization.
Ezra wrote a book in the Bible. Ezra was a scribe. Ezra kept records while he safeguarded the scriptures. If he hadn’t, there would be no material for his book. Ezra was really a secretary. If he was responsible for the Lake Union today, he would record that during this quinquennium our membership has grown by 6,368 members so far, and now stands at 79,088. To reach this number, there were 12,334 baptisms, 8,922 transfers in, 9,119 transfers out, 3,079 apostasies, and 2,667 members resting in Jesus until He returns.
Ezra would also say this is good news because these members worship in 547 churches and companies in our sisterhood. This is an increase of 32 new lighthouses to help shine the light of Jesus throughout our territory.
Of course Ezra isn’t here, so I am giving the report. Fortunately, I have Cynthia Baskin, an excellent typist and competent assistant, to help me out.
It is a good report. It shows growth; growing is what the Bible indicates we should be doing. But (yes, I had to get a “but” in there), I’m tired of the growth. I’d like to get it over with and head home to Heaven.
Now back to my typing lesson.
Rodney Grove is the Lake Union Conference executive secretary.
