Meet James
You may not realize it, but you are looking at a rare phenomenon. James is a pastor. For starters, not too many people can say that. It’s not easy becoming a pastor. Most denominations and independent churches require education and training and credentialing and a good reputation, which drastically narrows the field. Secondly, very few can pull off what Pastor James does. His ‘typical’ week is anything but typical.
There's no other job in the world that compares with being a pastor.
James divides his time between teaching, running the church, paying the bills, dealing with people, and everything else under the sun conceivable to the human mind. No exaggeration. Pastors are the curators of biblical knowledge, they’re the handymen to the single mothers, the problem-solvers for the elderly, the fun and games guy for the youth, the reliable one for the women, and the straight-shooter for the men…and that’s all before he goes home to be husband, father, dog-walker, and trash taker-outer. And, most of the time, it's also before he heads off to his second or third job as a bi-vocational pastor.
But before you respond with respect due to Pastor James, hold on, because we haven’t even highlighted the important stuff yet. In addition to all the things Pastor James does and in addition to all the skill sets he must have (and continues to build upon), there’s a few other roles pastors play that are unique only to them and within this profession called pastoral ministry.
Family Man
The first is family man. Pastors often have their own spouse and kids, but that's just the beginning. Pastors are also members of every other family within the church. They become the fifth member of a four-member family or the fourth member of a three-member family, etc. Pastor James is there; he's ingrained; he's involved; he's part of all the highs and lows of his parishioner’s lives. There is no other profession in the world where a leader is expected to be an intimate presence within the family structure, inside of the home, as a role of support, than that of a pastor.
Sage
The second is sage. Church members expect pastors to support them through every conceivable life crisis. As such, pastors must be able and ready to speak and to give counsel for literally everything under the sun. The problem is that no pastor has this ability, but that fact does not mute the expectation from the families. Even when pastors don’t know what to say, they’re still expected to be there to say something.
Miracle Worker
The third is miracle-worker. Pastor James performs miracles all the time. His presence within the family brings peace and calmness (which is virtually impossible in the midst of crisis) even though he himself yields no spiritual healing power in and of himself. But even more remarkable then this is how he must perform ‘miracles’ on himself.
Pastor James recently helped a family through a crisis situation involving one of their teenage boys. Just like any loving member of a family would do, he was constantly thinking about this family. He was praying for them; He was calling them; he was ‘worrying’ about them. And this is just one family. He does this many times over as he is involved with every family within his church. If you pulled him aside and pointed to any random individual in his church, he could quickly identify the struggles for each family member.
There's More...
Adding to this is how Pastor James mobilizes, trains, and motivates a small army of volunteers. Have you ever tried to get people to work hard for no money? And only to find that when they fall short you have no recourse other than to apply grace, help them clean up the mess, and thank them for their service? (At least paid staff can be chewed out and reprimanded!) Talk about being a miracle-worker!
It’s a big burden, but like most pastors, James usually carries this burden alone. He shares some of it with his wife but he’s careful not to overburden her because she already has enough on her plate. The stress sometimes gets the best of him but he deals with it in private, between him and God, not wanting to burden any of the members of his church, or the elders, or the board. “Physician heal thyself” is a phrase all too-frequently whispered as he sits at his desk praying for the ‘miracle’ needed to make it through the day.
There’s no other job in the world that compares with being a pastor.
You may not realize it, but you are looking at a rare phenomenon. James is a pastor. For starters, not too many people can say that. It’s not easy becoming a pastor. Most denominations and independent churches require education and training and credentialing and a good reputation, which drastically narrows the field. Secondly, very few can pull off what Pastor James does. His ‘typical’ week is anything but typical.
There's no other job in the world that compares with being a pastor.
James divides his time between teaching, running the church, paying the bills, dealing with people, and everything else under the sun conceivable to the human mind. No exaggeration. Pastors are the curators of biblical knowledge, they’re the handymen to the single mothers, the problem-solvers for the elderly, the fun and games guy for the youth, the reliable one for the women, and the straight-shooter for the men…and that’s all before he goes home to be husband, father, dog-walker, and trash taker-outer. And, most of the time, it's also before he heads off to his second or third job as a bi-vocational pastor.
But before you respond with respect due to Pastor James, hold on, because we haven’t even highlighted the important stuff yet. In addition to all the things Pastor James does and in addition to all the skill sets he must have (and continues to build upon), there’s a few other roles pastors play that are unique only to them and within this profession called pastoral ministry.
Family Man
The first is family man. Pastors often have their own spouse and kids, but that's just the beginning. Pastors are also members of every other family within the church. They become the fifth member of a four-member family or the fourth member of a three-member family, etc. Pastor James is there; he's ingrained; he's involved; he's part of all the highs and lows of his parishioner’s lives. There is no other profession in the world where a leader is expected to be an intimate presence within the family structure, inside of the home, as a role of support, than that of a pastor.
Sage
The second is sage. Church members expect pastors to support them through every conceivable life crisis. As such, pastors must be able and ready to speak and to give counsel for literally everything under the sun. The problem is that no pastor has this ability, but that fact does not mute the expectation from the families. Even when pastors don’t know what to say, they’re still expected to be there to say something.
Miracle Worker
The third is miracle-worker. Pastor James performs miracles all the time. His presence within the family brings peace and calmness (which is virtually impossible in the midst of crisis) even though he himself yields no spiritual healing power in and of himself. But even more remarkable then this is how he must perform ‘miracles’ on himself.
Pastor James recently helped a family through a crisis situation involving one of their teenage boys. Just like any loving member of a family would do, he was constantly thinking about this family. He was praying for them; He was calling them; he was ‘worrying’ about them. And this is just one family. He does this many times over as he is involved with every family within his church. If you pulled him aside and pointed to any random individual in his church, he could quickly identify the struggles for each family member.
There's More...
Adding to this is how Pastor James mobilizes, trains, and motivates a small army of volunteers. Have you ever tried to get people to work hard for no money? And only to find that when they fall short you have no recourse other than to apply grace, help them clean up the mess, and thank them for their service? (At least paid staff can be chewed out and reprimanded!) Talk about being a miracle-worker!
It’s a big burden, but like most pastors, James usually carries this burden alone. He shares some of it with his wife but he’s careful not to overburden her because she already has enough on her plate. The stress sometimes gets the best of him but he deals with it in private, between him and God, not wanting to burden any of the members of his church, or the elders, or the board. “Physician heal thyself” is a phrase all too-frequently whispered as he sits at his desk praying for the ‘miracle’ needed to make it through the day.
There’s no other job in the world that compares with being a pastor.
Pastors, This Is for You:
Valuable Resources for Keeping the Pastor Healthy
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Pastors, take 30 seconds to scroll these 10 slides reminding you to stay healthy!
Resources
Pastoral Care, Inc.
This website should probably be bookmarked on your web browser. It is an excellent source for practically every reason under the sun a pastor would need some help. It's non-denominational.
This website should probably be bookmarked on your web browser. It is an excellent source for practically every reason under the sun a pastor would need some help. It's non-denominational.
“The Pastor’s Home as Paradigm for Church’s Family Ministry”
This article, by Dr. David Prince, highlights how the pastor’s home serves as a model for doing family ministry within the church. It also shows how the pastor’s family needs to take precedence before the pastor can ‘work’ on helping other church families. It highlights dynamics such as “Father’s as Shepherds”, “Shepherding the Little Flock”, the “Centrality of Jesus”, with specific challenges to parents, and singly, the men.
This article, by Dr. David Prince, highlights how the pastor’s home serves as a model for doing family ministry within the church. It also shows how the pastor’s family needs to take precedence before the pastor can ‘work’ on helping other church families. It highlights dynamics such as “Father’s as Shepherds”, “Shepherding the Little Flock”, the “Centrality of Jesus”, with specific challenges to parents, and singly, the men.
“Parent First, Pastor Second”
You may have chosen to be in the ministry...but your kids didn't. This article, by Kevin Harvey, helps pastors be good parents to kids forced to live the ministry life.
You may have chosen to be in the ministry...but your kids didn't. This article, by Kevin Harvey, helps pastors be good parents to kids forced to live the ministry life.
Confidential Pastoral Care Line from Focus on the Family
This is a support and crisis phone line from Focus on the Family for pastors who may need an understanding ear, a word of advice, a timely referral or a simple prayer. The number is Toll-free: (844) 4PASTOR, Monday – Friday, 6:00am – 8:00pm (Mountain).
This is a support and crisis phone line from Focus on the Family for pastors who may need an understanding ear, a word of advice, a timely referral or a simple prayer. The number is Toll-free: (844) 4PASTOR, Monday – Friday, 6:00am – 8:00pm (Mountain).
Caring for Pastors
This organization provides discreet, confidential counseling for pastors in crisis. Services are rendered in person, on the phone, or by video conference.
This organization provides discreet, confidential counseling for pastors in crisis. Services are rendered in person, on the phone, or by video conference.