"Is the Pastor In?"

Secondly, much of a pastor's work is done in the afternoons and evenings.  From committee meetings, to pastoral visits, to youth meetings, to small groups, pastors often begin working when everyone else is getting off work!  To make room for family and other personal needs, a pastor may not come in until 11:00 or 1:00 if he has been at a meeting until 9 or 10 the night before (which is fairly common!). 
Finally, even when a pastor comes in to his office to work, it is often not for an entire day.  It may be to check mail, work on the bulletin, make calls, and do some planning, but much of the work of pastoral ministry is "out" with people or in the library researching for a sermon or at a Presbytery or small group meeting.
So, the next time you call the church and there isn't a pastor around, you may still be frustrated that you're need won't be immediately met, but hopefully you'll feel better knowing why we're not in.  We're just doing our job!

By Randy, Paul and Nelson

This past month, the staff of our church had their annual meetings with the Personnel Committee.  One question that came to the pastors' attention was the issue of the pastors' work hours.  Some people were frustrated that when they called at 9:00 a.m. on a weekday, a pastor was not available to talk.  This can be frustrating and confusing, especially if there is a pressing issue at hand.  However, just because a pastor is not at his desk when you call, does not mean he is not "doing his job." 
A pastor's job is a very unconventional one when compared to other 9-to-5 occupations.  First, and obviously, Sunday is not a day off; and usually, Saturday is also filled with either sermon preparation or church events.  To compensate for this, pastors take a day off during the week.  So, if you call on his day off, you won't reach the pastor.

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