I’m an “Administrative Assistant” (church secretary) for an LCMS Lutheran church, and I go to an ELCA Lutheran church. I love both churches, and I’m active in both. I like my situation. My friend works at the church where I go, and she’s always in the office, and she always looks stressed. Both of my churches were looking for a new pastor when I started working here, using different procedures, so I felt like I could understand what was going on without being quite so emotionally involved. But I was a little. Both churches hired a new pastor in the same month, so while everybody was quite excited, it was twice as exciting for me. The only down side is that I can’t have communion at the church where I work, so I avoid attending on communion Sundays.

Also, if you are a paid staff member of the church you should not be discussing anything with anyone. You are often privey to private information regardless of your position as a staff member and just have to k own to keep those things to yourself. If you can’t, well, you might be looking for a new job. Just my thoughts.

I have heard from those secretaries etc that it is often easier for them if they attend elsewhere. They tend to end up working in a day they aren’t paid to work if they attend church where they work. For ministry staff this isn’t really an issue because usually you are paid to work Sundays. Secretaries, accountants etc generally are not.

There are pros and cons with church admin people. I don’t think membership/non-membership precludes gossip happening. If your staff gossip, they shouldn’t and that needs to be stopped immediately. Great question, btw.