This schedule will help you understand your pastor's responsibilities each
day. Not all pastors are alike. Each has his strengths and weaknesses, and
each has his own style of ministry. The following is one pastor's style.
In an effort to help his people understand what a pastor's work schedule is
like I have written and posted on my bulletin board this message to my
congregation. It answers the haunting questions parishioners often ask each
other in frustration ... "I wonder what that pastor does all day?" I have
tried to be honest about my schedule. What you see here is as close to
reality as I could possibly make it.
The pastor is available at all times for emergencies and personal and family
crises needing his immediate attention. Please feel free to call when in a
crisis.
Home ___-____ Office ___-____
Phone Messages:
It is impossible for the pastor to stand guard at the phone waiting your
call. I am often on the road between church and home, and hospital or
visiting someone. Please be patient and leave a message on the answering
machine when you need to talk to the me. I try to return all phone calls on
a priority basis. Crises come first. Administrative details plans and
programs get attention as those hours are available. Be patient with me. I
cannot please everyone all the time. I am human. I make mistakes. I forget
things.
Prayer and Study:
Prayer is important for every pastor. Without it he fails, and if he fails
in prayer then he fails you. Study and prayer are priorities set by God
(Acts 6:3-4). For this reason I ask that during such intense times that I be
not disturbed by phone or visit so that I can fulfill my commitment to Jesus
Christ. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God..." is a command for pastors
first of all. EMERGENCIES of death, severe sudden illness, accident, or
personal or family crisis are always worthy interruptions.
Counseling:
I delight to counsel with the people of God. It is this pastor's second
greatest delight to sit with any member or adherent and share burdens,
questions, and struggles, and so together pray for the Lord's healing touch
on you, your emotions, your spiritual life, or your family. Please feel
free to call and make an appointment. An appointment guarantees that I am
free to attend only to you during that hour. There is no charge. In cases
where your needs require professional or long-term counseling I will
recommend a worthy friend and Christian counselor to whom you can turn.
Visitation:
Some pastors excel in visitation, others in preaching, others have skills in
counseling, administration, music, or evangelism. Some have little skill or
gifts in any area, others are good at most things. Times have changed. A
pastor used to be expected to have free time to roam from home to home on a
regular basis just dropping in to say hello. Time and today's busy
schedules do not afford such a luxury. This pastor is not gifted in that
type of visitation ministry, though I enjoy it, it is not my pr iority.
I delight in purposeful visitation of the sick, the shut-in, and the
visiting or new family. If you NEED a pastoral visit, please ask. I will
make time to come to see you. If you want fellowship with your pastor, ask
him over for dinner or dessert at your convenience. But please do not
complain that he never visits you, if you never ask. "ASK and you shall
receive, SEEK and you will find, KNOCK and it will be opened unto you." I
appreciate so very much those of you who have invited me into your homes, or
who have asked that I would stop in for a visit. I'll be there!
Pastor's Daily Schedule
This schedule represents the activities and whereabouts of your pastor in
the course of his daily ministry. Note that every day is unique and brings
its own special needs and crises that need to be attended. This schedule
represents the normal and most regular of days.
The pastor is available at all times for emergencies and personal and family
crises needing his immediate attention. Please feel free to call when in a
crisis.
Home ___-____ Office ___-____
MONDAY - day of rest
TUESDAY TO FRIDAY -
(10 hours by supper, then 2-3 hours meetings)
7-9 am Private prayer and study (home or office)
9-11 am Office study time
11-12 am Administration, phone calls, letters,
business agendas, staff meetings.
12-1 pm Counseling hour & administrative tasks
1-2 pm Lunch Break (home)
2-5 pm Counseling, visitation, and office ministries.
5-6 pm Hospital visitation
6 pm Supper hour (home)
7-10 pm Meetings at the church, or visitation
SATURDAY -
9-1 pm Office hours & counseling hours
2-5 pm Sometimes Off
7-11 pm Study and prayer
SUNDAY
7-9 am Study and prayer
9:30 am Sunday School hour
11:00 am Morning Worship
12-1 pm Close church and post service activities
1:30 pm Sunday family dinner
2:30 pm Nap
3:30-6 pm Study and prayer
7:00 pm Evening Service
8:30-9:30 pm Close building, close down for week.
Your pastor willingly works 60-80 hours every week, six days a week, serving
the Lord and the needs of the congregation. This has been his personal
ministry style discipline for the 24 years, and by the grace of God will
continue to be until Jesus comes or calls him home.