Found this while looking for something else. It is a list of things that hard working Pastors don’t tell their parishioners. I was looking for something Pastors that spent 8 hours a day on the computer actually say to their parishioners but couldn’t. This is pretty much fun reading though.
1) You know how your doctor, lawyer and dentist had to complete years of grueling training and had to face numerous credentialing bodies before practicing her or his profession? Me too. In most cases I have completed a four-year undergraduate degree, a three-year professional degree, completed internships and clinical training. So when you assume I’m an idiot who just doesn’t understand, I’m gritting my spiritual teeth and remembering Christ’s humility. I’m smiling, but only on the outside.
2) Your offering is not a tip for a good sermon, nor are you paying for services rendered. Your stewardship, bringing your tithes and offerings to the community in which you worship, is a spiritual practice that comes right out of scripture. The people Jesus taught and healed lived in grinding poverty. And then there were the taxes, enforced by a brutal occupation army. Remember Matthew the Tax Collector and all those centurions running around? They weren’t there for a parade. Yet Jesus still presumed the Hebrew practice of tithing. Failure to give appropriately is a spiritual problem. I know, and I am praying for you.
3) You probably think I only work an hour a week, because that is how often you see me. But that one hour a week took hours of preparation. I also managed to visit several people who were sick or homebound, and had to call the plumber and the dumpster company. I also represented the church at a civic function, and took three long phone calls telling me last week’s sermon was “too political” because I pointed out that Jesus insisted we care for the poor. It’s been a busy week, but I kept it down to under sixty hours, so that’s good, right?
4) Oh, and about Sunday morning… I have been “on,” like rock concert “on,” all morning. I’m smiling and being social, but I’m actually fried. You know that important thing you needed to tell me as you shook my hand and headed off to brunch? I forgot it, along with the important things eight other people told me. Sorry, I didn’t mean to, but you better write it down, send it in an email, or leave me a message. I think it is important because you think it is important, but I’ve already forgotten it.
5) I work for God. I know it sounds insane, but that’s it, flat out. Every other level of authority, bishop, vestry or church council, is just middle management. I didn’t accept this call to make money. I accepted it because I couldn’t say “no” to God any longer. That means I’m not always going to preach what you want to hear. Sometimes I’m going to challenge you, in fact, sometimes I’m going to piss you off. I don’t do it for fun. I do it because Jesus told us this following thing was going to be hard, and that we needed to do it with a good team behind us. And I’m on your team by choice. If I stop challenging you, you’ll know that I am either exhausted or scared. Neither is good for you or the church you love.
6) Speaking of scared, I’d like to keep my job. I may have a spouse working in the community, kids in the local schools, and I most certainly have student loans that will follow me to the grave. It’s a razor’s edge up here, trying to please God and middle management and every person sitting in the pews. I need your prayers, and possibly a good therapist…
7) I care more about the regulars. I know I’m not supposed to, but I do. You know, the one’s who show up in the pouring rain, there for every fund raiser and Bible study. When a perfect stranger shows up demanding the rites of the church and treating me like I’m an unfortunate prop in their personal movie, it’s a problem. She may be your granddaughter, but she hasn’t been inside of a church, except as a bridesmaid, in years. She may promise to raise that child as a Christian, but you and I both know she’s not going to get up on Sunday morning. I’m having serious theological qualms about this, I’m just not telling you.
8) When you insist on “the way we do things in this church,” I’m wondering when you stopped worshiping a living God and started worshiping a building and its resident bureaucracy. Give me half a chance, and I’ll help you drop the average age of worshipers and give this church a future. Many thousands of churches close every year. This doesn’t have to be one of them. But it’s your choice. When you are ready to look forward instead of backward, I’ll be there to lead the way. That is, after all, what you keep telling me I’m supposed to do.
9) Finally, I am human. Really. That nasty comment you made on your way out the door? It hurt. And wasn’t very Christian. But I forgive you, and still love you, because that’s how I roll.
Nice, I think we all too often forget. Pastors are people too.
Ruby
Well said. I know a several people that complain about my Pastor’s pay from the church.
I have known my Pastor for many years. He is there, not for the money, but because Christ called him to shepherd this flock. He works as a butcher at a local supermarket to supplement his income.
I have tried to get these individuals to complain to him, and not to me. It’s gossip, which I choose not to participate in.
Thank you for a very refreshing look behind the scenes.
I work with an online ministry called http://www.onlinechurch.com and as one of the moderators for a group of Christian Goth kids on Facebook.
Wayno
Honestly? This is a little whiney. Although I believe in clergy wellness, I am not fond of whining.
Best,
The Rev. Robert K. Gieselmann
(who is happy people care enough to call about my sermon -and to think about it after Sunday is over)
Pastors, take time for yourselves. You do not. My old-timers did. Sundays, they had the men over to the rectory to watch a game and bend elbows, or they went to parishioners’ homes. I cannot get my guys and girls to hang out, even on my dime. Even at coffee hour, they do not hang long with their flock.
Flock, take care of your pastors. Insist they visit. They do not ask for much. A meal and drink and they’ll be happy. Take them to the cinema.
Oh yeah, and one more. The criticism from other clergy.
While I agree with some points and disagree with some, I do find this thought provoking. Though I sort of side with Rob on the overall tone. However, I am a fan of irony. And I find it very ironic that the last one is about members making nasty comments, within a blog posted on the internet that complains about the members.
I also enjoy tangents. I’m not going to complain about the pay of pastors, some are probably overpaid, some underpaid, and some just right, just like every other profession! However, what bugs me about every church I have been too, is that I have heard church leaders (not always the pastor) talk about how much certain members give or don’t give. I don’t get it! Churches preach about giving with your heart, some even mention it is confidential, yet at every church I have been too, I have heard judgement statements on various members and their givings! I refuse to ever write a check again and put it in a collection plate. I always wade up / fold my cash, hide it my hand so the ushers don’t see it and put it in the collection plate. Once again, the irony being that I’m sure those counting the money have figured out the folded up cash always comes from me! If churches truly care about members giving more to them, perhaps they should start being respectful to their members and how much they give and stop gossiping about it. But then again, that’s just my opinion, what do I know, I’m just a lowly member.
This pastor doesn’t sound like he belongs in parish ministry. Could he be wearing a bag on his head because he (rightfully) is ashamed of authoring these comments?