pastoral work survey

I asked for an annual review when I came here. I provided a breakdown of my sterwardship as time goes. included secular work, drive times and even sleep tims. gotta keep good records to provide a good account.

I made up the survey and had a team tally the reszults. It was enlightening to see where they percieved I was and the results of my record keeping. most congregations don't realize how busy we are.

the committe had the record before the survey was handed out. and unsealed it when the church and I reviewed the resulys.

 

I think you may be opening yourself up for some undue criticism. I would proceed with caution.

 

The Natural Church Development group will do that. They will evaluate the entire church and its health.

 

That is why that is the one question I ask when meeting with a search committee. Know up front what they expect.

 

The expectations of the pastor should be made up front. If something new comes up, the congregation needs to make the pastor aware that something new is expected of him.

If you take a survey from the congregation, they would want someone who is 35 that has 40 years of experience who can relate the professionals and lay people alike. He spends all of his time visiting the shut-ins and is always available in the office. The pastor is a man that can accurately exegete the Scriptures and fix a running toilet. I know you've heard that one before.

I think many people in the congregation expect things of their pastor they would never expect of themselves. After all, the pastor only works three hours a week, right?

 

Several years ago, my then-pastor gave the congregation a survey asking each one to tell him how much time he should spend in various pursuits--sermon preparation, hospital visitation, outreach visition/soul winning, personal devotional time, counseling, planning, administrative matters, etc.

He tabulated the results and reported to the congregation, "You want me to work 122 hours a week."

Then he used the survey as a teachable moment. "You know I can't do that. I'm going to try to be faithful to my obligations as pastor, and as a member of this church. That means there are some things that need to be done that I can't do. I'm not going to be your member for you. If you don't do them, they won't get done."

Most members, I've found have no idea of the amount of time pastors spend in sermon preparation. Sometimes as much as 20 hours a week. I know that when I'm called on to prepare a messsage for, say Baptist Men's Day, it takes me forever just to pick a text and a subject, much less prepare. I don't know how pastors put together two or three sermons and a Bible study each week. Obviously God has gifted them.

A question for some of you pastors and preachers: For each sermon, what's your normal prep time?

Tom B.

 

Why would we look to the congregation to set our schedule? What ever happen to the undershepherds going to the Shepherd for direction.

Does the Shepherd go to the sheep for direction? Why?

As pastors our vision, and direction come from God and God alone.

I was told once that the church runs the church not the pastor. The truth is Christ runs the church when the undershepherd is a mountain man like Moses was. We need to be going to that mountain top daily to get our instruction and vision from God, and bring it back to his people.

 

An old well known retired pastor told a bunch of us that one thing he discovered is that every pulpit committe is a liar.

The issue is trust and verify. Trust what they say but verify everything.

 

Matthew 28:19, 20 and 4:19.

 

Pastors Work Faithfully

 

"Normanl prep time" wish I could give you a diffent answer...but in my short 34 years of preaching and pastoring...I can only tell you my experience.......there is no such thing as "normal prep time"
With all the factors that I feel we must take into consideration to prepare to deliver God's word..........
1. Seclecting the proper topic to fit the needs of the flock.
2. Selecting the proper food to nourish our flock at the proper times
3. The vital time in meditation and prayer with our Lord....(Very vital eliminate in prep)
4. The study,study, study time to insure we present the food in the most nourishing manner.

on and on the prep time goes. So I personally have never found a normal prep time for a sermon..

A wise old Pastor gave me some advise that has stuck with me down through the years...."Devote your very best to preperation....But remember you are just the vessle God is using to present Himself to the listeners...you do your part and the Holy Spirit will do the rest."

 

If the pastor is a good steward and a faithful undershepherd the people will know. If not, they will also notice.

A survey may have some benefits but it is not something I would do.