Meetings, the practical alternative to work.

I know that many of my ministry partners wonder what a missionary at a Bible college does all day. So, it's confession time. Sometimes I feel like my ministry is spent in a meeting. You know...like Dilbert. I ran across the humorous title above on a web site and identified with it's sentiments. The website Meetings.org says this...

Why Have a Meeting? The most common reason to have a meeting is to discuss something face to face. It could be a new idea, a new opportunity, a problem, to brainstorm something, reach a decision about something or any number of things. But it all comes down to discussion and face to face interaction.

I like that - "face to face interaction." In a typical 5 day work-week I spend 2 days in the President's Office fulfilling my roles of Administrative Assistant, and 3 days as the Director of Student Life. In the President's Office it's focused time, typically behind a computer - updating the calendar, writing news for the campus community, reviewing & updating policies, signs, etc. However, the office of Student Life is a bit different. Let's take a look at last week:

• Monday: Student Life Day - cell group meeting = 1 hour; student leader meeting= 2 hours; meeting to help someone with computer issues = 1 hour.
  
• Tuesday: Pres Office day - meetings about reviewing & renewing contracts = 2 hours; faculty meeting = 2 hours
  
• Wednesday: Pres Office day - perhaps my one and only typically meeting free day. (Please note the words perhaps and typically!)
  
• Thursday: Student Life Day - tutor meeting with student = 1 hour; student life meeting = 2 hours; meeting with church project leader = 2 hours.
  
• Friday: Student Life Day - tutor meeting with student = 1-2 hours; church ministry prayer meeting = 2 hours
• Saturday: church ministry core meeting = 4 hours

Now, of course, I am not always in a meeting. I also try to get other things done. But what I find is to really get things on paper, make the changes suggested in all these meetings, and accomplish something (anything!) before the next meeting, means that I'm working late, throughout the weekend, and during times that could be spent building relationships, having a bit of fun (at least I think I'm entitled).

Do I despise a good meeting? Not at all. I'm a team player and don't like relying solely on my own opinions (I'm not always 100% on target!). I guess I sometimes wonder if the meetings I attend and lead are always effective. I hope they are because we have a lot to accomplish for the Kingdom of God, and in my humble opinion, we are stronger together than apart.

Can I accomplish more by holding up in my office, locking the door, hunched over the computer, spitting out print jobs like I'm writing a thesis? It sure feels good sometimes, but I'm not sure that it's always productive. There is strength in being together with others. As a single woman, this becomes clearer each day. We need each other. (Side note: watch this video!)

So if coming together must happen in a meeting...let's see how many more meetings I can work in during this week. Meetings, the practical alternative to work.