I Blame an Elderly Woman Named Margaret for Everything

by Sam Rainer President & Senior Consultant

I blame Margaret for everything.

One Sunday stands out. Our student ministry brought in a guest worship leader. The volume was too loud, and the music selection was too metal. Margaret was in the back watching. She saw me approaching the sound booth and grabbed my arm, staring intently at me.

She knew exactly what I was about to do.

“Margaret, you’ve got to let me go so I can tell them to turn it down.”

“You will do no such thing, pastor.”

“No, Samuel Solomon,” using my first and middle name for emphasis, “They are worshiping.”

She was in her early 80s at the time. I blame Margaret for the growth of our student ministry.

A few years later, she decided to serve on a mission trip. Some of our leaders tried to convince her not to go because the trip was challenging and would take place in a country with limited medical facilities. Given her age and health struggles, everyone knew the trip would be demanding.

I’ll never forget her response, “The one ministry I’ve never done in the church is to go internationally. I cannot stand before Jesus without sharing His name cross-culturally.”

Some men in our church devised a plan to go with her and stand by her side for every step of the trip. Her presence meant even more people went on the trip.

I blame Margaret for the strong health of our mission efforts.

She learned about our ministry to serve the homeless, and she was there every Saturday, feeding and clothing people in need.

“Is there ever a day when you’re not doing something with our church?” I asked jokingly.

“The day I stop serving is the day I die,” she replied in all seriousness.

People of all socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome in our church. I blame Margaret.

One Sunday, she brought her family’s old ration…