THE MINISTER’S DILEMMA…3/11/08
by SteveSeveral people have told me in the last week or so how much they have appreciated the last 4 sermons…some of the comments from people who NEVER say anything about one. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t think much of it, but the comments were so good and so frequent that I began to think about what was different.
The only difference I can think of is that I have been sick the whole time! How can my being sick affect my sermons? Easy. Because I’ve had the flu and a few other ailments in the last few weeks, I have been afraid to make my regular visits to shut-ins and people in the hospital. The time I would ordinarily have spent visiting and traveling, I spent reading and studying. I read more extensively, reading more commentaries and utilizing a wider variety of study material as well. Once I had each sermon written, I then had several days to edit and polish, and by the time I got through, what I had was a better sermon than usual.
Not surprising at all. The thing that all pastors wrestle with is how best to utilize our time. If we spend too much time in the study, people complain that we’re too studious and not real “people persons.” If we spend too much time out in the community, teaching and preaching suffer. So I am constantly torn between the two. There are so many visits that I just absolutely have to make, because people want to have their pastor present during illness and other crises.
On the other hand, I believe that my greatest opportunity to be effective is through preaching and teaching, and I think those are my primary gifts. So, as in so many other areas of life, there is a trade-off. My best sermons will be preached when I take the most time to work on them. When my role as pastor rather than preacher consumes a larger part of my week, preaching and teaching are likely to suffer a bit.
All of this points toward the importance of involved laity. When our layshepherds and others are doing their jobs by visiting, calling, and staying in contact with our congregation and community, I can do better what I do best. When, as sometimes happens in other churches, everything depends on the pastor, all ministry suffers.
Remember that we are all called to ministry. If each person does the job he or she has been called by God to do, then real ministry takes place and everyone benefits. May God help you and me to always give our best, and help us to know that even when we fail, there is grace.
RSS
One of the best sermons I ever heard was preached by a pastor (United Methodist) in the Statesville District many years ago…and, as I understood it, he consistantly delivered wonderful, thought-provoking sermons week after week. I asked about his ability to do this….and he responded that he spent a minimum of 40 hours per week in the preparation (prayer/meditation; reading; researching; contemplation) before the first word was put to paper. So, I know it makes a difference…. Keep in mind that he also had to make time to visit the sick; counsel the burdened; marry, bury, baptize, etc. He was able to do it all BUT at the expense his marriage. That is something I do not believe God asked/asks/or will ever ask, to be sacrificed.
The greatest gift we, as laypersons, can give to our pastor is the time needed to exercise their God-given talent/passion/calling. We do this best when we, as the church, are exercising our God-given talent/passion/calling.
Thanks, Debra. I’m waiting for you to open your “advice blog for pastors.” With 17 years in the Statesville District, you probably have more experience than any of us!
I thank God for a wife who helps me to keep my priorities in order! (not to mention a nagging district administrator!)_
I’m not sure this is only a “minister’s dilemma”. I’ve always been puzzled by the dictates of our culture which insure, the better we become at something, the more will be expected. How often have parents failed their children and spouses failed each other, trying to keep pace of mile-a-minute jobs and expectations. It’s as though we can’t be successful unless we’re trying to do too much. A recent study concluded one in ten people in this country are chronically sleep-deprived, trying to fit so much into so few hours. That’s 30 million people… who don’t *ever* get enough sleep. I think we took Neil Young just a bit to seriously over “It’s better to burn out, than to fade away…” Not that I have any room to speak – as the ADHD poster-child, I’ve been trying to do everything, NOW, for most of my life, afraid I’ll miss something along the way. I’ve no idea how we’re supposed to prioritize, or when we should (to borrow a phrase) ‘just say no’. It seems almost ‘un-American’ to say that, we’re so ingrained to push through, no matter what – ‘no pain, no gain’. I just hope that when we learn what our limits are, we’re not too broken to continue.
But, this is one of the great ministries of any church – it’s congregation, individually and collectively, supporting each other, giving encouragement here, a helping hand there, and the fellowship of an extended family to remind each of us of what’s truly important. It’s not about loving money, or challenges,or jobs, or possessions, or excitement. It’s about loving people.
Bj
WOW! Berry, you have so eloquently described so many of us! I found out the hard way that one should not, nor cannot, depend on their occupation for their happiness. In the end, both figuratively and literally, it is in the striving for Christ-likeness that results in true happiness and fulfillment.
And, Steve, a nagging administrator I may be, BUT I have raised you so well..! You make me proud! (Besides, Judy needed all the help she could get…)
PS: Berry, look at the blog, “Be Yourself” of 03/06.
I love the level of discourse on this blog…from the sublime to the ridiculous! I feel right at home. Berry, your comments call to mind Duke basketball! After so many years of winning, winning, winning, a season with 4 losses is looked at as a failure!
You and Debra are both “poster children,” but I’m glad you have both discovered that the secret of the Christian life is not complicated: follow Jesus…the rest of the stuff is optional.
What an excellent response from Berry!
Steve, tell me it ain’t so….Duke has 4 losses this season?
Oh, and PS: Go heels!