Valuing All of Our Staff By Alec Hill

Being a Keeper of the Spring for Your Staff

Far too often, some of our best staff are underappreciated simply because they occupy unflashy positions or have quiet temperaments.

Peter Marshall, the former chaplain of the U.S. Senate, addressed this oversight in a talk based on a parable he called “The Keeper of the Spring.”

The Parable

Once upon a time, in a resort town nestled beneath a mountain, life flourished. Up in the foothills, a quiet man was hired to clean the silt and leaves from the town’s primary water source. He became known as the “keeper of the spring.”

But during a city council meeting, a decision was made to cut the budget, and the keeper’s position was axed. “We never see the man,” complained a council member. “He’s no longer necessary,” barked another.

For a while, everything went on as before. However, over time, scum began to appear in the water. Wildlife departed. Children stopped playing in the stream. Tourists stayed away. Locals got ill.  

Realizing its error, the council reversed course and begged the keeper of the spring to return. Soon after his rehiring, foul odors abated, slime disappeared, wildlife returned, and tourism flourished anew.

This story highlights three organizational lessons.

Don’t Undervalue Support Staff

Some of the least visible jobs reside in HR, IT, finance, legal, and risk management. Since staff on these teams neither deliver program services nor raise funds, it’s easy to relegate them to second-class status.  

But, like the keeper of the spring, our ministries would grind to a halt without them. Imagine losing your entire IT staff. Utter chaos! Less obvious would be the departure of the person who oversees insurance coverage. Mostly invisible to others, the loss of this staff member’s expertise could imperil your entire ministry.

Far too often in the nonprofit sector, support teams are underfunded and understaffed. It’s a dangerous gamble to skimp on accountants and payroll specialists.

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds us to prize those in supporting roles: “Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable… and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.”  May we have ears to hear.

Don’t Overlook Introverts

In her book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain traces the shift in America to a “culture of personality” in which extroverts are esteemed and introverts are diminished.   

This is a shame because introverts bring a great deal to the table – focused attention, deeper relationships, reflective thinking, strong listening skills, and the ability to work efficiently alone.

The keeper of the spring was a quiet man who did his work well and felt comfortable working independently. He didn’t waste time needlessly chatting with others or spouting his opinions. An unobtrusive performer, he did his job with excellence.

Unfortunately, the city council initially failed to recognize the value of these traits. May we not make the same mistake?

Shapers of Culture

Don’t Underestimate Keepers of Organizational Culture. Organizational culture is comparable to the stream that ran through the keeper’s town. Subtle – and thus often overlooked – it is of incredible importance. To prevent toxicity from encroaching, constant vigilance is required.  

Every ministry has staff who contribute to a strong sense of mission and community. While not part of their job descriptions, these good folk build relationships, engender trust, and resolve disputes. By doing so, they facilitate organizational harmony and promote higher retention rates.

It behooves us to recognize these culture-shapers. Like the keeper of the spring, they remove negativity and stimulate organizational health.

Conclusion

The parable of the keeper of the spring reminds us to treasure quietly effective workers who don’t hog the spotlight. May we give them the resources – both fiscal and emotional – they need to thrive in their roles.

Alec Hill is president emeritus of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA.  

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