by Doug Rehberg
You never change things by fighting against the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the old model obsolete.” - Buckminster Fuller
That’s what Lois Walz helped to do throughout her 31-year tenure as Secretary, Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, and Executive Assistant at Hebron. A graduate of Grove City College, Lois worked as the Office Manager for a local physician before being hired in March of 1991. While Lois had grown up at the church, a descendent of charter members, she never knew much about the inner workings of the small church office until the secretary, Dorothy Busche, announced her decision to retire with the advent of a new Senior Pastor. It was Lois’ dad, Bert Mason, who first told her of the pending vacancy.
Don Rhule, the head of the trustees, called me to say that they had found a suitable candidate to fill Dorothy’s shoes. He asked if I would like to join him and several other trustees at brunch with Lois at the Harley Hotel in Penn Hills. He thought it was only fitting that I would have a say in the hiring decision. Of course, I jumped at the chance and within the first thirty minutes, I knew that they had found a first-rate secretary who could propel Hebron forward by recreating the position. It was only later that the trustees and the rest of the congregation would learn just how far the propulsion would take us.
In the first few days of Lois’ orientation, she asked what responsibilities the new pastor would be giving her. Dorothy’s response was immediate, “Oh, he won’t give you much of anything. The pastors do their own work and rarely ask for assistance.” That became a laugh line in the coming months and years; yet, that succinctly captures the old model that was extent at the time.
From the earliest months on the job, Lois found that her responsibilities far exceeded administrative and office duties. She became a full participant in the fall of 1991 with the development of a ministry vision at Hebron. From the early brainstorming weekend with Chuck Rosemeyer, to each of the five comprehensive five-year visions developed over the next 30 years, Lois played a pivotal role. Within a few years she became the Secretary of Session and served on several Session committees and teams. She was a member of the Building Committee for the construction of the Barclay Building. She helped spearhead the massive Sesquicentennial events and created all of the deliverables. She helped develop and operate fifteen years of the Leadership Development Projects for Hebron and several other churches. She typed, edited, and readied for printing three books: Developing Effective Christian Leaders at Hebron Church, Leadership Jesus Style, and God, Golf, and Grace. Every major vision development and implementation effort over the last three decades has Lois’ fingerprints on it. From the creation of two new worship services, to helping lead small groups, to the development of the Grove model, to conceiving the “Beyond” vision, to 3 capital campaigns, to stewardship dinners and campaigns, and the assimilation of over a thousand new members, Lois has served as a ministry partner of mine.
Her tireless commitment to Jesus Christ has revealed itself over the years, not only in deep and abiding personal discipleship, but in her passion for giving the Gospel away to others. Several years ago Lois joined me in presenting Hebron’s Grove model to churches throughout Pittsburgh Presbytery. At the same time, she helped facilitate and lead several weekend retreats for churches around the country who were interested in implementing the LDP.
But perhaps the greatest evidence of her commitment to doing ministry and giving the Gospel away has been her faithful service on two separate boards with ties to Hebron that were both formed 10 years ago: The Blessing Board, a 501(c)3 ministry that gives furniture and household goods to those in need and the Holly Alm Camp Scholarship Fund that has raised over $250,000 to send kids to Christian camps. At the center of both has been Lois Walz and her exceptional gifts of administration, communication, and devotion to the mission of Christ.
The list of her accomplishments and significant contributions to the Kingdom of God far exceeds the brief description offered here. Suffice to say that by God’s grace He brought Lois to work and serve at Hebron 31 years ago. What the trustees first saw in her was only a hint of what we have all witnessed over three decades. We could never be who we are, and do what we’ve done, without Christ working through her.
