“So, what exactly do you do as a pastor? Do you do a lot of counseling?” Adam and I were on vacation the week after Christmas and the man who ran the B&B where we stayed asked me this.
It’s hard to explain. At least this guy didn’t ask if I only work on Sundays.
I wrote this list for my church board last year, trying to capture as much of what I do as possible. It ended up very nuts and bolts — much more administrative-sounding than it really is. A lot of what I do is more emotional work: inspiring people, comforting them, setting boundaries, keeping order. It’s sort of a combination between running a small business, being a family matriarch, being a life coach, running a family camp, and running a theater with a single weekly production every Sunday morning, year in and year out. Sometimes I also feel a bit like a museum curator, in charge of a historical tradition that people want to connect with as a way of connecting with the past, or family traditions. I also hope I’m working as a subversive revolutionary, speaking up for love, mercy, transformation, and the Big Presence of Love I call “God” and feel so potently in the world around me.
Or at least, that’s how I see it today. It’s sort of a constantly changing algorithm of variables. Sometimes I want to snort when we call it “organized” religion, because, at least in my world, it’s kind of a mess. And that’s ok.
Does she just blow bubbles all day?
Anyway, here’s the list. (I did some translating, but some things may still be in “church language” – apologies in advance!)
Worship Leadership
clergy sermon group, weekly plan Sunday service plan and proof bulletins plan seasonal liturgies (Lent, Pentecost, Advent, etc.) study for and write sermons preach sermons lead Sunday service collaborate on music w/ music director collaborate with the altar guild coordinate seasonal liturgies (Christmas, Holy Week, Rogation) oversee ministry leadership (lectors, ushers, chalice bearers, acolytes) weddings: meetings, plan, sermon prep, lead funerals: meetings, plan, sermon prep, lead
Teaching
Sunday Seminars for adults – get suggestions for and plan topics – invite speakers – prepare and lead some sessions myself school-age classes – recruit and coordinate teachers – lead classes – communicate with parents – plan other activities younger kids class – oversee teachers, curriculum, and program plan and teach Inquirers’ Class in Lent (7 classes, meets weekly) Lent, Advent, and other weeknight offerings research, order and distribute Lent and Advent special devotion materials Baptismal preparation with parents or adult candidates Confirmation preparation with teenagers Ordination process: teach, guide, and prepare those who feel called to be deacons or priests to enter the process at the local and diocesan level
Ministry Programs
encourage leaders to imagine and create ministries or discussion groups they’re interested in follow-up with lay leaders on various projects and events visits to various church ministries/groups attend church events retreat planning and participation (occasional)
Communications
maintain email communications answer voicemail coordinate newsletter articles with newsletter editor write newsletter column/s oversee website coordinator outdoor sign messages with sign team facilitate announcements in the bulletin facilitate and balance the church calendar write weekly email updates write thank you notes
Pastoral Care
individual intentional conversations with parishioners (“one-on-ones”) pastoral visits to hospital & homes for the sick stay in touch with elderly members with visits and phone calls pray for parishioners and their families counseling individuals or couples pre-marital counseling meeting with families to plan funerals presence with members in times of crisis
Evangelism and Outreach
connect with newcomers pray for our local community ensure that bulletin, narthex, sanctuary are welcoming and hospitable keep our website attractive and informative strategize ways we can reach out to our community ensure that church events are being publicized, when appropriate attend local community events (high school, village, church networks)
Administrative
serve as liaison to the diocese and national church attend finance meetings and review church finances (monthly) plan and attend wardens’ meetings (monthly) (board chairs) serve as liaison to stewardship and fundraising planning (fall) serve as liaison to capital campaign team (2011-12) oversee groups that rent or use our space keep track of legal and historical documents and information log services and attendance numbers log membership and contact information prepare annual report on attendance and membership numbers prepare a report, make agenda, collect all other reports, and chair the Annual Meeting (January)
Congregational development
attend continuing education conferences, speakers, and workshops read books, blogs, articles on church development and best practices plan for the church’s future lead the Bishop’s Committee – prepare agendas for wardens’ meetings – prepare Committee meeting agendas – plan leadership development activities and discussions – chair meetings – plan, coordinate, and lead biannual BC retreats inspire congregation with vision and dreams of what is possible pray for guidance
Personnel
staff supervision – weekly meetings with music director and secretary; monthly check-ins with nursery caretaker – review and sign timesheets – performance review for music director (annually) hiring (every other year or so; sometimes more often!) – advertising position (rewrite job description?) and review resumes – interviews by phone and in person – finalize Letter of Agreement, background check, and tax documentation – training the new staff person supervise training for sexual misconduct prevention for leaders and volunteers who work with children
Diocesan participation
Serve as a member of the Commission on Ministry (monthly meetings, paperwork, emails) Attend Diocesan Convention (November) Attend Clergy Days (Lent, other) and Clergy Conference (October) Meet with liaisons from Congregations Commission and Bishop and Trustees Complete paperwork for Bishop and Trustees’ financial support and mission evaluations Deanery meetings (monthly) Attend ordinations and installations of other clergy (three times a year?)
Personal spiritual life and growth*
personal bible study prayer life Clergy Quiet Days retreats spiritual reading clergy bible study clergy support group
*That really shouldn’t come last! But when I first drafted this, it’s how it worked out. Go figure. That may be what’s wrong with the way a lot of us clergy do things these days… but that’s another column for another day.
