Pastor on the clock

[Luke2427]

When is a pastor "on the clock"? I mean that metaphorically because I know very few of us actually punch a clock. But many church members think a pastor is only serving the church, doing the job for which he is "getting paid" if he is either visiting or preparing directly for the specific message which he will preach in the church. If he is not spending at least 40 hours a week doing that then he is shafting the church.

What do you think?

When is the pastor "on the clock"?

 

[Don]

When is the shepherd not responsible for his flock?

(in other words, I see what you're saying, and agree)

 

[Luke2427]

I, as a pastor, am "on the clock" every minute I have a good exegetical, theological or ministry practical book in my hand. I might be stretched out in my recliner, but I am "on the clock" nonetheless.

I am "on the clock" every minute I am on the phone with fellow ministers discussing theological or ministry matters, seeking counsel and letting iron sharpen iron.

I am "on the clock" every minute I have church members or sinners at my home for a barbeque while I am trying to make disciples out of them.

I am "on the clock" every minute I am talking to my wife about a matter in the church- even if we are lying awake in bed.

Church members who clock in at their job in the morning and clock out in the evening oftentimes do not understand this. They don't see the pastor out VISITING eight hours a day and they think he is lazy. I find this to be true especially in rural areas. We really need someone to educate laymen on the biblical and, indeed, practical duties of the pastor.

 

[glazer1972]

A pastor in my opinion is on the clock 24/7/365 since he is almost always subject to a call out.

 

[Salty]

A pastor in my opinion is on the clock 24/7/365 since he is almost always subject to a call out.

so he gets Feb 29th off? :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Havensdad]

I, as a pastor, am "on the clock" every minute I have a good exegetical, theological or ministry practical book in my hand. I might be stretched out in my recliner, but I am "on the clock" nonetheless.

I am "on the clock" every minute I am on the phone with fellow ministers discussing theological or ministry matters, seeking counsel and letting iron sharpen iron.

I am "on the clock" every minute I have church members or sinners at my home for a barbeque while I am trying to make disciples out of them.

I am "on the clock" every minute I am talking to my wife about a matter in the church- even if we are lying awake in bed.

Church members who clock in at their job in the morning and clock out in the evening oftentimes do not understand this. They don't see the pastor out VISITING eight hours a day and they think he is lazy. I find this to be true especially in rural areas. We really need someone to educate laymen on the biblical and, indeed, practical duties of the pastor.

I know exactly what you mean.

 

[Dr. Bob]

An elder (serving as a pastor, one of the roles of some elders) should be careful to guard "down time" - vacation, time off, kid's recitals or ballgames, date night with the wife, etc

Like a fireman, he has to be ready to attend an EMERGENCY that if out of a regular schedule (remember, most of the time firemen are on call, they are doing exercise, cleaning equipment, holding out boots for $$)

But firemen leave the job of "on call" and take days off and vacation. So should a pastor.

I take "cruises" since, unless a catastrophe happens, I cannot be reached and cannot just "drop everything" and return. Joy of a plurality of elders so that I can schedule another elder to cover such emergencies, preach in my absence, etc.

And when I am required to work a long week, I take extra "time in kind" off - maybe another day.

45 years of pastoral experience teaches priorities. And babysitting bawling sheep is part of the job but NOT a priority.

 

[saturneptune]

The answer when is a pastor on the clock is to a large extent determined by the local church. Our church goes to great lengths to give a pastor time for his family, and general time off. Deacons step up to do Wednesday night Bible studies and other duties to ensure this. We have a very good balance between the "pastor on duty" and his personal time.

 

[annsni]

He is off the clock when he can ignore e-mails and phone calls. Otherwise, he's on.

 

[Gina B]

The title of this gave me thoughts of a pastor at the pulpit checking his watch and thinking "nope, sermon's not over, I need 30 more minutes of pay this week." :laugh:

I just KNEW there was a reason they sometimes go on and on and on!

 

[Havensdad]

An elder (serving as a pastor, one of the roles of some elders) should be careful to guard "down time" - vacation, time off, kid's recitals or ballgames, date night with the wife, etc

Like a fireman, he has to be ready to attend an EMERGENCY that if out of a regular schedule (remember, most of the time firemen are on call, they are doing exercise, cleaning equipment, holding out boots for $$)

But firemen leave the job of "on call" and take days off and vacation. So should a pastor.

I take "cruises" since, unless a catastrophe happens, I cannot be reached and cannot just "drop everything" and return. Joy of a plurality of elders so that I can schedule another elder to cover such emergencies, preach in my absence, etc.

And when I am required to work a long week, I take extra "time in kind" off - maybe another day.

45 years of pastoral experience teaches priorities. And babysitting bawling sheep is part of the job but NOT a priority.

Wise advice.

 

[SaggyWoman]

Sunday all day.

Study time.

Visitation time. (if that is done)

Counselling time.

Service time.

 

[Luke2427]

Sunday all day.

Study time.

Visitation time. (if that is done)

Counselling time.

Service time.

How do you define "study time"? Time studying in preparation for a particular sermon soon to be preached at the church or do you allow for time to study things that may NEVER be preached at church?

Is time on the phone discussing some theological subject considered study-time?

What about hosting a barbeque for some people the pastor is trying to build relationships with to get them to Christ? Is that on the clock?

What about time spent discussing church matters with the wife?

What about time spent meditating- no book, no computer- just lying there thinking about spiritual matters? Is that on the clock?

And how much time should he spend visiting compared to how much time he should spend studying?

 

[Dr. Bob]

I considered the Baptist Board a "ministry" since the day we began, and have both shared AND learned over the past 13+ years with this bunch of miscreants. 8)

 

[Gina B]

I considered the Baptist Board a "ministry" since the day we began, and have both shared AND learned over the past 13+ years with this bunch of miscreants. 8)

and on and on and on and on....

 

[Gib]

"I'm not sure what my pastor does with all his time. Seems like he could squeeze in cutting the church lawn, light cleaning around the church? He's only at the church about 5-6 hours a day Monday thru Thursday. He doesn't even work a full work day. Comes in when he wants and leaves around 3 everyday"

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

An elder (serving as a pastor, one of the roles of some elders) should be careful to guard "down time" - vacation, time off, kid's recitals or ballgames, date night with the wife, etc

Like a fireman, he has to be ready to attend an EMERGENCY that if out of a regular schedule (remember, most of the time firemen are on call, they are doing exercise, cleaning equipment, holding out boots for $$)

But firemen leave the job of "on call" and take days off and vacation. So should a pastor.

I take "cruises" since, unless a catastrophe happens, I cannot be reached and cannot just "drop everything" and return. Joy of a plurality of elders so that I can schedule another elder to cover such emergencies, preach in my absence, etc.

And when I am required to work a long week, I take extra "time in kind" off - maybe another day.

45 years of pastoral experience teaches priorities. And babysitting bawling sheep is part of the job but NOT a priority.

 

[Crabtownboy]

Not just pastors, but anyone who claims to be a Christian is always on the clock. If they are not ..........................

 

[Ed B]

I, as a pastor, am "on the clock" every minute I have a good exegetical, theological or ministry practical book in my hand. I might be stretched out in my recliner, but I am "on the clock" nonetheless.

I am "on the clock" every minute I am on the phone with fellow ministers discussing theological or ministry matters, seeking counsel and letting iron sharpen iron.

I am "on the clock" every minute I have church members or sinners at my home for a barbeque while I am trying to make disciples out of them.

I am "on the clock" every minute I am talking to my wife about a matter in the church- even if we are lying awake in bed.

.....

I agree, but as a layman, when I do all or most of these same things I would like to at least get a gold star added beside my name on the sunday school board. You will need to have some age on you to understand that reference.

Pastors are salaried employees, they are not hourly. Salaried employees work when work needs to be done and are often paid for their expertise and applying that expertise to meet the needs of the organization. There is also an expectation that salaried employees will put in more that 40 hours most weeks.

 

[Luke2427]

"I'm not sure what my pastor does with all his time. Seems like he could squeeze in cutting the church lawn, light cleaning around the church? He's only at the church about 5-6 hours a day Monday thru Thursday. He doesn't even work a full work day. Comes in when he wants and leaves around 3 everyday"

He comes in and works at the church 5-6 hours four days a week AND has to put up with church people who are stupid enough to say such things??

Give that man a MEDAL!