What to Pack for Called
By Michaela Lawrence Jeffery
Have you started packing for CALLED? What will you wear? What things will you bring along for the down time—that commentary you’ve been trying to finish?
Here at Best Practices, we’ve decided to curate the perfect* list just for you.
Must Haves
Bible (We’re not going to check versions and won’t penalize the use of apps.)
A good attitude
A sense of humor
Step tracker (10,000/day, am I right?)
Reusable water bottle
Smiles (Optional for women.)
Eye contact (Practice looking up from your phone every 10 seconds.)
A question (As opposed to a comment when you’ve raised your hand during a Q&A.)
Umbrella (The rain falls on the just and…)
An open heart (Someone might need to be encouraged, someone might encourage you…)
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Gum/mints (To offer the person who forgets to pack a toothbrush and toothpaste.)
Earbuds (For your phone calls.)
Portable charger For all your handheld devices.)
Comfortable shoes (Bonus points if they’re also cute.)
Notebook & pens (Don’t let the techies shame you!)
Grandparents (For those with young kids.)
The CALLED app (Download it pronto!)
Clothes
Leave at Home
COVID-19 and its symptoms (We realize that’s everything but…)
Resume (Ok, have one in the cloud just in case.)
Your personal copy of the Church Manual (Because it’s online!)
Robert’s Rule of Order (If you haven’t memorized it by now, please stay home.)
Nylons/Pantyhose (The only runs we need are in our sermons.)
Grievances
Your preacher voice (We can hear you.)
Your preacher handshake (Ow!)
Business cards (Go green.)
Ties & Bowties
High heels
Running shoes
Small talk (We’re saying “Hello” and then going deeeeep.)
Perfume/Cologne (Seriously though, some folks are very sensitive to strong scents.)
Your church directory
Anything that begins with “Just in case…”
The question, “So how big is your church?”
The long, “How are youuuuuuu” as your eyes search for a name tag. (Just ask the person for their name. It’s okay.)
“Happy Sabbath!”
We know this list has been helpful. Now that all these gems are in your head, it really shouldn’t take you more than 10 minutes to pack. Look out for our “What Not to Take Back Home” list the day before CALLED wraps up. Lanyards, hotel toiletries, and fatigue will be on there. We’re here to reduce your stress so that your time in Lexington can be worry-free.
*Hopefully this made you laugh. Please pack as is most meaningful to you. See you soon!
Michaela Lawrence Jeffery pastors the Athens Georgia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Athens, Georgia.