It's been a week since my meeting in Honolulu with the "powers that be", so to speak. I didn't get but 30 seconds with my true boss and our senior pastor, but Wayne (as he wants me to call him) is a man with a full and very disciplined schedule, and those 30 seconds in the hall were of great benefit, to myself, but also, to him.

He gets the reports from Molokai how we're doing , how we've been, and the progress of the upcoming sale and transfer of the property. He missed my presentation, impromptu, of our situation and our future, in our staff meeting (of all things, he was on a long-distance call with a recognizable national public figure who will be here to speak at our college). But one of the greatest and most flattering of gestures and compliments are when he knows I don't NEED his encouraging word or buttering-up to carry out my assignments and duties...that I don't need prodding or a memo every other day to stay on my work.

That said, talking to my direct overseer (not my pastor) about my future... it seems that the dialogue we had in our meeting isn't on any accomplishments or achievements, but on what's "there in the pile". I handed over a summary of the areas where I thought I'd be most useful, and it seems as though few if any of them, would be considered. I may have been reading the wrong way, or misinterpreted the body language and unspoken intentions, but it seems like the place they will be putting me in, will be right back at square one... cleaning offices, and taking on the menial tasks of the church.

At first I was appalled and outright angry. So the accomplishments of the last six years are all for naught? I've taken a run-down hotel, and with a vision and some great volunteers we've brought it back to life, and have had six years of effective ministry, and finally we broke even last year? I've worked with churches of ALL denominations and have shared principles of inter-denominational ministry in a way that hasn't been seen here before, with churches cooperating rather than competing? I've fostered and nurtured a reputation where our name is now good and solid on this island? And THAT's how I'm going to come back? To square one?

I've seen staffers leave our church, and come back years later and conveniently slotted right back in their administrative or pastoral positions, only to leave again later...

I was reminded of a Bible passage about what Jesus said in similar context. He said this...

“When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:8-11

I might just be back on the "bucket brigade" again! And the funny thing, is that it's okay. EVEN IF I NEVER GET CALLED TO THE HEAD OF THE TABLE, so to speak. I'm there for a reason, and self-promotion is NOT IT.

In this world where careers are coming to a screeching halt, businesses are closing, jobs are disappearing, and hope is fading, I think that a double-dose of humility combined with good ol' son-of-a-***** manual labor will do me some good. It'll give me an opportunity to lead, and to minister to those who sometimes are treated and made to feel like the "bottom feeders" in a prima-donna world. I'll take what they give me and begin to work on making it better... it's in my nature. Not to mention the benefits of getting myself back to finishing my Bachelor's degree program...

I sure hope my old Facilities Team coveralls still fit. Molokai has been good to me.