One Protestant church recently posted an opening for a senior pastor's position, boldly stating a long list of characteristics: "We want a Pastor who is well-organized, dynamic and youthful in outlook: one who is not afraid of innovative ideas or of risk taking; one who takes strength from and is strong in preaching and teaching the Word; one who is open and inventive, able to find new and different ways to worship God. Our Pastor will look for ways to develop consensus . . . "

Realizing, perhaps, that these characteristics sounded much like a description of Superman, the pulpit committee added a note at the bottom that read:

"The ability to walk on water would be nice, but is not required."

This may be humorous because it often rings true in parish life: a minister is often expected to be all things to all people, and do all things with near perfection.

More so than any other professional, the minister needs flexibility for there are many hats pastors wear throughout any given working week, ranging from administrator over educator to counselor, etc.

In the following discourse we will look at some of those roles clergy need to fulfill and how the variety of roles might affect the performance and life of a minister. First, let us identify some pastoral roles.

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A Biblical Perspective on the Roles of a Pastor in the Faith Community:

1. evangelism / missions ("making disciples of all nations" Matthew 28: 19)
2. administering the sacraments ( "baptize them . . ." Matthew 28: 19)
3. teaching  ("teaching them" Matthew. 28:19; "and teaching" 2Tm 4:2)
4. preaching  ("preach the word" 2 Tm 4:2, "feed my sheep" Ez 34:2)
5. pastoral care / healing ("heal the sick / bandage the hurt" Ez 34:4)
6. social outreach ("strengthen the feeble" Ez 34:4)

From Acts 6:1-7 we can extrapolate two more pastoral roles (the appointment of deacons to help distribute aide):
7. lay empowerment
8. administration

Additional Roles
As though these were not enough hats to wear, there are often more roles to be assumed by pastors--of a social, political, and secretarial kind.  An example is the small church setting, where pastors are known to be treasurer, secretary, janitor, etc. in addition to the traditional pastoral roles.

The Minister on the Pedestal
Many scriptural passages suggest that a pastor ought to be a role model in the community, married to one spouse, have control over their children, demonstrate an attitude of wisdom, temperance, respect for elders, etc. This scriptural requirement has doubtlessly over the centuries contributed to the idealization of ministers.  Being on such a pedestal in the public eye could be seen as a role in its own right.

All of these roles are very important and exert an enormous pressure on the minister, not least because the minister is expected to have the right words at the right time at all times--speaking with the voice of God.

Next, I would like to highlight some challenges that ministers face as they attempt to juggle all these roles in addition to being family members and . . . themselves.

 

What is the pastoral role that challenges you the most?
click here to share with our readership.

Challenges:

Pastors face several challenges given the multitude of roles they have to assume.  First, the multitude of roles represent various jobs which require more time than is available. Consequently, ministers never feel that their job is done, or done satisfactorily.  This often results in a feeling of inadequacy which is heightened by the idealization of the office and person of the pastor.

Secondly, ministers often suffer from a low self-esteem partially because the assumption of different roles often challenges a person to be just themselves.  This can bring on a crisis of integrity and identity.   The professional "role play" 8-10 hours per day can easily eclipse a minister's personal self-understanding, especially in light of the fact that ministers are on call 24/7 and must be able to slip into a pastoral role on the ring of a cell phone.   In extreme cases, this can lead to role and identity confusion.

Not surprisingly, a Fuller Institute of Church Growth survey (1991) shows the following results of interviews with ministers from various denominations:

• 90% work more than 46 hours a week
• 50% felt themselves unable to meet the needs of the job
• 90% felt inadequately trained to cope with ministry demands
• 70% say they have a lower self esteem now compared to when they started in ministry
• 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend
  

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What advice can we give?  What can a minister do to alleviate the pressures and the stress that comes with having to assume multiple "God-roles?"

I don't purport to be an authority on this issue, but there are a few things I found helpful during my ministry years:

• Keep strict boundaries--make good use of vacation times and days off
• Let your guard down, try to be yourself when you're around family and friends
• Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your pastoral roles (this will encourage a feeling of integrity)
• Try to read the Scriptures and devotional literature without thinking: "how does this preach?"
• At the end of the day, tell yourself: "I did the best I could do and that is all God asks of me (it may be less than what parishioners ask of you--but never mind that!)"

Please feel free to add to this list of advice by using the submission field below.

Richest blessings on you and yours,

Rev. Frank Schaefer
DPS director/developer
www.desperatepreacher.com

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Links

• A Roman Catholic Role Definition of "Pastor" (Parish Priest)
       http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11537b.htm
• An Article on a Pastor's Duties
       http://www.teachingpages.co.uk/minilesson/pastorsduty.html
• What One Church is Seeking in Their New Pastor
        http://www.fpcsa.org/cif/pastor.html
• Selected Humor on this Topic--Compiled by DPS
        http://www.desperatepreacher.org/pastorcare/humor.htm

Contents:

What is the pastoral role that challenges you the most?
How to you relieve stress that comes being all things to all people?
 

Your Input:

Date: 3/16/2003

Contribution

testing

Date: 3/20/2003

Contribution

One of the most irritating roles is cleaning up after people who leave messes, changing lightbulbs after weeks of no outsight lights & people groping their way in the dark, and dragging out the trash. I don't mind doing my fair share, but being servant to all is a strain. Occasionally a few people clean up, but as Phyllis Diller used to say, you clean & scrub & polish and six months later you have to do it all over again. When I find myself overloaded with tasks that no one else wants to do, I try to do them with a grateful heart, thanking God for the things we have - to clean, to care for, etc., but I have to confess that sometimes I am just plain annoyed. I have tried letting things go undone - for weeks, I have tried talking with leaders and others, but too often, in this small parish, it just doesn't get done. Amigo

Date: 3/22/2003

Contribution

How I envy (yes, one of the seven deadlies!) churches that have an administrator, someone to sort out the paper, e-mails, phone calls, and questions about matters that have nothing to do with pastoral/spiritual care, even finding a new roll of paper towels or a package that someone dropped off for someone else to come by and pick up!

I'm a pastor first, a teacher, a liturgist, and I resent the amount of time and effort I have to use for "office" jobs! With e-mail, it's even worse, not better. My super secretaries (see below), treasurer and lay leadership do their best, but far too much "stuff" has to go across my desk. Anyone got any suggestions?

Responding to "Amigo:" As the first woman pastor in two parishes now, I've had to learn to draw boundaries, and make them quite clear as pleasantly as possible. For example, I don't take minutes at meetings, something lots of folks assume a woman will do as a matter of course. I've deliberately avoided learning too much about the office computer for the same reason! I'm pretty proficient with the copier though, if I do say so myself, and always ready help out if either of our two great secretaries need it. (Before anybody gets excited about "two secretaries - it's actually one job, 20 hours a week shared between them in a fairly large, busy parish!)

I happily join work parties for specific projects, perhaps not for the full time, but certainly long enough to make a substantial contribution to whatever is going on.

As for "chores," if no-one else is around and something really needs to be done before worship or a meeting, or if it means inconveniencing someone to come in for just a few minutes, I'll do it if I can. For example, if there's to be a small gathering of visitors for worship (our church is often requested for meetings by other church groups), I'm willing to look after preparing/cleaning the altar - the altar guild folk appreciate this, and rarely "let" me do it, bless 'em! I've been known to pick up rubbish and to haul out a ladder and change a light bulb.

I protect my privacy too, seldom inviting folks to my home -though I thoroughly respect other clergy who are more hospitable. It's just not my "thing."

Amigo, what would happen if you left things undone, and used sermon time to talk about how "we feel good when we look good," and how the world out there sees us. Are we proud of the Gospel we proclaim, or does our appearance say we don't really care? Bless you for trying to put a positive spin on doing the chores! As the saying goes, "God loves a cheerful giver (of time and energy), but God also loves a grouch!"

It seems important too, to consider what precedent one is setting for those who follow as priest or pastor in the parish. Yes, we're all different, and that can be good, but there are some common areas we can co-operate on!

Peace to all! Frandy

Date: 3/28/2003

Contribution

hospital ministry. first, I don't like hospitals, never have. second, I always feel like i'm intruding into someone elses space, somewhat uninvited at that. Especially when visiting someone you don't know well, it's hard to know what to say, when to pray, when to tell a joke, when to follow up with family and the list goes on. i normally just feel lost. kn in ln

Date: 3/31/2003

Contribution

I feel God calling for spiritual growth in all of His Churches. God first, then pray without ceasing! Praise be to God for the privilege to be able to worship in America. Praise be to God for those who hear the call of the Lord and follow it!

Date: 4/1/2003

Contribution

My major challenge at the moment, as a new Pastor, is coming to terms with all the 'chat' that goes on in the church. I know this is a common church problem, and one not unique to mine. While before I could say, 'I don't want to hear it, go talk to the person directly', I now have a responsibility to my congregation and do need to have a fair idea of what's going on. It is a challenge to try and strike a healthy balance and understand when to put my foot down with the type of information that is being passed onto me. I'm sure you've all been there. I know God will give me discernment in this area (I've asked Him you see!) God bless you all.

Date: 4/10/2003

Contribution

Q-TIP: Quit taking it personally. When I become the lightning rod for the frustrations others feel due to changes in their lives or in the life of the church, not getting their way, disfused anger,etc., I try to remember that it most likely doesn't have anything to do with me personally, but that I am the handy symbol. it helps me to not take things so personally....Patricia in West Virginia

Date: 4/11/2003

Contribution

THANK YOU PATRICIA! The Q-TIP advice was absolutely perfect for me this week, and made me laugh out loud!!! I love it!

Kerra in TN

Date: 4/28/2003

Contribution

VISITATION!!! As a part-time pastor, I have another full-time job, and I'm a student (some of the time), not to mention being a husband and father. I work seven days a week, and there never seems to be enough time. Also, the church I'm serving used to have a full-time pastor, so their expectations are of that type of availability - which at first I liked and didn't dissuade..... I do get lots of support at church, though. Don't have to change many light bulbs or take out the trash very often. Everyone seems to want to help, wants to pitch in. But they'd all like a visit every couple of weeks or so, it seems.... :)

Date: 5/25/2003

Contribution

I try to always keep uppermost that God calls me to be faithful rather than successful. In the pastoral role, we do many tasks and try to plant seeds to begin many ministries. Some of these seeds grow and some don't, but to be faithful in being a sower of seeds is the important thing and not whether everything succeeds, especially as the world or the people of the church count success, i.e. numbers, more money, etc.

Date: 2/17/2004

Contribution

Teach, Preach, Counsel, Pray, Speak to the whole church 2-6 years old 7-12 years old, 13-29 years old, 30-55 years old & 55+ years young