Week #5 Office Work

Office Work

By Nick Smith

This shift in my mind has had a negative impact on the church. This is a great example of the business world encroaching on the church. Clock in and clock out now as a pastor, which in my mind makes it seem like you can go home at the end of the day and not be a pastor. A church with the “study” in my mind is much more ideal. People would be less likely to interrupt a pastor in the “study” rather than in the office because what goes on in most business world offices?…nothing. Pastor’s could spend more time in preparation of their sermons and lessons and spend less time on administration type of things plus, spend time with members who really need their help.
In the ideal world, I would spend my workweek in prayer and preparation plus spending time counseling those in need of direction. You wouldn’t have to call my secretary to set up an appointment, just check the “study” because that is where I will be and that is what I will be doing.
As far as how many hours a week I would spend I think it would vary from week to week. I guess I would take the time to do everything I need to get done as well as fulfill everything others needed of me. Ideally it would be great to fulfill everything that everyone wanted of me as a pastor but obviously that could not happen. It seems that those who are going into the ministry should expect to work at least 65 hrs a week though. Remembering that their job is to look after God’s sheep, it is more important than any other job in the world.