On Hard Work

I don’t know for sure because I have never had another one, but a pastor’s job looks to be one of the hardest jobs there is.  So far as I have observed the only tougher one may be a homemaker!

It used to amuse me when people would say to me, “Boy, I would not want your job.”  Now it concerns me.  Did I get in the wrong line somewhere?!?

This provides no excuse for a pity party or for a point of pride.

Call it reality.

You will be tested and challenged as a congregation pastor.  Don’t kid yourself.  The rigors are great.

You will be challenged spiritually.  Satan and a host of evil assemble against your work.  And the weaknesses of your sinful nature won’t be of much help either.  The temptations will not end:  pride, sloth, lust, greed, gluttony, wrath and envy.  Back when Disco was king they said, “This ain’t no disco! This ain’t no foolin’ around.”  No, it is an incredible spiritual challenge.

You will be challenged intellectually.  You have to think through Biblical statements and apply them in multiple, contemporary situations:  sermons, counseling sessions, classrooms, evangelism calls, hospital calls, staff meetings, governing board meetings, chance meetings, dinners, golf outings, et al.  You must deal with people lots smarter than you.  You will deal also with people far less educated than you.  How do you apply what you know about what you know, taking into account what you don’t know about what you don’t know all in a meaningful and appropriate way?  What does history teach?  How do your church’s Confessions apply?   Does science or anthropology speak to the issue?  Hymnal, no hymnal, screens, printed, memorized, extemporized, old liturgy, new liturgy, what’s a liturgy?  

My head hurts. 

So will yours.

You will be challenged “familially.”   Long ago a neighbor encouraged me to become a pastor only if I did not get married and have a family.  No, he wasn’t Catholic!  He understood that the life of a pastor’s family is a tough one.  He hit the nail on the head.  It’s a challenge to be husband and dad at home, pastor at church, and still be the same person.  It’s tough for a family not to really have a pastor since the guy at home also serves as the pastor at church.  It’s tough for the wife to be the wife of a guy who happens to be a pastor and at the same time resist the temptation to be assistant pastor or the secretary to the pastor or the conduit to the pastor.  And how does she handle hearing the “Word of the Lord” from the same fella who can’t pick up his socks or get the faucet fixed?  How does the husband/father/pastor balance multiple responsibilities all at once at 7:00 p.m. on a Tuesday night when a committee is meeting and the lawn needs mowing and the high school orchestra is playing and the sun is shining for the first time in a month?

You will be challenged physically.  It’s physically demanding to lead and preach two or three or four services on a Sunday.  You’ll be surprised.  It’s wears you out to get up early on a Thursday for a Bible class, work all day and have a meeting that night.  There is no such thing as a three day weekend for recuperation because our weekends include Sunday!  Ever visit someone who smells of feces and vomit?  Ever visit with someone who has bolts screwed into her head, right into the skull, because her neck has been fused in place?  You will.   It takes its toll physically.  Much of our work has to be done when others are either not yet fired up (Sunday mornings) or are shutting down (evening meetings)—and we need to be “on.”

You will be challenged financially.  Unless I miss my guess, no matter how much money you make as a pastor, you could find a more lucrative job that would satisfactorily match your gift set.   You are going to have to set the pace in giving.  The demands and schedule of your work may prohibit or limit your wife’s outside employment.  Also, again unless I miss my guess, your congregation will always be scraping by because it has not learned to tithe.  There won’t be finances enough for proper staffing or continuing education.  Many well meaning members will suggest financial solutions and plans for your congregation that you need to graciously resist because they run counter to Biblical teachings.  Scripture says much about money, the world says more, and you’ll have to sort out which message comes from which.

You will be challenged… no wait, that’s enough.  I’ve made my point.

Eyes wide open.  It’s hard work.  Don’t kid yourself.

Indeed there is much joy and fulfillment in your work.  Indeed God will bless and work all things together for your good, the good of your family and the good of the Kingdom.  Indeed God has called you to a high and noble Calling.

But it is hard work.    

There, you are warned.  Don’t whine.  Don’t be a cry baby.  Keep your head down and your feet moving.