WEEK ONE chapter 135

My office was a windowless little hole between the secretaries’ office and the pastor’s office right behind the sanctuary platform. My Saskatoon office did not have a window either, I reminded myself. I did not go in until Friday. I wanted to get my books set up and look like I was going to stay, although I’m not sure why. I figured my permanence was still up for discussion. I was there only half the day, as Della really needed help at the house.

We had another Sunday before we were to be introduced, but we decided to go to church on Sunday and try to be observers. We checked our son into a preschool program and our daughter in the nursery and went off to an adult Sunday school class that did not have a teacher. Mr. Neufeld, the Sunday school superintendent came in and explained the situation. I told him I would like to use the time to get to know some of these people. So we just talked. We made wonderful friends that morning. Mr. Neufeld also set an appointment to meet with me that week.

The service was fine, the choir was terrific and even when we mentioned our names it meant nothing to most people, except a family named Klassen. They had recently moved from Regina and at least knew about me. They wanted to know if I had eome to replace Bill Goetz. No one could replace Bill Goetz, but I was here to pick up some slack. I said hi to their boys, Jim and Dale. I liked them and began to pray right then for their support. I just believed it would be easier if I could work with some kids who knew how a youth group ought to operate. They came from a good one in Regina. I did not even know hoe it would work in Vancouver. Families seemed to live so far away.

We went back to the house and it smelled like our house did nearly every Sunday. Della had a roast in the oven and quickly fixed up the rest of the meal and we later napped like we were back in the saddle and wiped out. I knew this was going to be hard on Della. She was used to me coming home at lunch and supper. If there were an evening meeting, I would not be going home. So some days might I be gone be gone 10-12 hours. This worried me a great deal. I was still a young married man only recently trying to build my marriage the right way. I could not abandon the woman I loved. We had to work this out.

I met with several leaders of different organizations the next week. The most profitable was Mr. Neufeld. We connected very well. He told me how many teachers were needed and that we would be need them on Sunday. Should he or I call them and try to talk them into coming back to their positions? No, neither of us would to call to beg anyone to come and teach. If God had not called them we did not want them. He liked that idea, but he was unsure it would work. While I believed in prayer, I wasn’t so sure myself

There were several teaching holes that Sunday and we just combined classes. I had a few calls from teachers telling me flatly that they would not be returning and there was nothing I could say to get them to come back. I told them I had no intention of “talking them into teaching.” I wanted people called to teach. While, shocked, most were thrilled. Others followed suit and walked out as they learned of the new approach. I thought I was going to lose Mr. Neufeld but he believed in the plan to simply pray and ask God to give us gifted and willing teachers. Je did not want to abandon me. I loved him for that.

I explained our need simply and unemotionally the Sunday Della and I were introduced and God filled many of the positions by the next Sunday. Some who had told me flatly that they were done, returned. Within three weeks we filled most positions and made adjustments for the rest. But I paid for that delay at the next board meeting. While they said they did not want any arm-twisting they were upset that I had not found teachers to fill all positions the first week. They were frustrated with what they considered my predecessor’s arm-twisting approach and paper pushing, but believed that was the only way we would get the people we needed. I was responsible now and I should  “get those positions filled.” I disagreed and held my ground for every single program. Some came around and I made enemies of others.

I had no idea what God had for me here. I had already alienated some of my bosses to hang on to a principle I believed would give us the leaders we needed. I had come to really enjoy Christian Service Brigade and discussed the leadership role with Della and finally took it on myself. I reasoned it would give me a connection to the boys. That would be a foundation for a youth group.. By doing so, it would be one more night I would be out. I was concerned about that.

It took a few weeks to get into a pattern, but I eventually got home for supper every night. I left mid afternoon to get three or four hours with my family. I also went into work early or after the worst of the traffic. I did not get caught very often in the incredible traffic.