Pastor Appreciation – 2

In this column on pastor appreciation we want to start looking at the life of a pastor. So let’s talk about what a Church Pastor does. Some people actually think that a Pastor has a great job because he really only works one day a week. I regularly have people ask me what my real job is. Here is a job description I found on the Internet for a Pastor:

The applicant will serve as manager, administrator, and correspondent. He will have experience as a preacher, teacher, and also evangelist. He will be a competent writer and speech maker, and will serve as a decorative piece at public functions. He will also be something of an editor. He will have experience as a social worker, counselor, spiritual advisor, visitor of the sick, and comforter of the bereaved. He will serve as theologian in residence, interpreter of the church at large, and official delegate to all conferences. He will serve as a one-man emergency squad. He will be qualified as a commissioner of oaths, and will offer occasional legal advice, arbitrate disputes, and serve as public relations officer. He will have a basic business sense, and will be a capable salesman. He will also be skilled in marketing and program planning, and will recruit and train workers where available. An in-depth knowledge of computers is recommended, with particular emphasis on word processing, desktop publishing, and databases. A working knowledge of public address systems, and high tech video projection systems is desirable. The applicant will also be called upon occasionally as a maintenance man, landscaper, and janitor. He will lead a blameless life and spiritual walk. Other duties will be added as needed.

That is about right. The pastor generally wears a lot of different hats. The reality is that the Pastor can not be what everybody wants or needs him to be. He has to first and foremost realize that his main purpose is to live a life that pleases God. With the demands of a church it is easy for the pastor to slip in to a role where he is trying to please the people. The problem is, no matter how hard you try, you won’t please everyone. Finding the right balance of ministry, family, and life is something that every pastor has to come to grips with. The better this balance is, the better for everyone involved. Don’t forget to show your pastor appreciation with a kind word or a thank you this week!