Pastors have many irons in the fire. A pastor is often on call 24/7. His typical workweek is at least 55 hours long and involves the following:
- Church meetings
- Staff meetings
- Board meetings
- Counseling sessions
- Long term planning
- Lunch meetings
- Sermon preparation
- Conflict resolution
- Crisis intervention
- Weddings and funerals
- Hospital visitation
- Community involvement
In addition, pastors are expected to be well read in all matters relating to Christianity, the church, doctrine, history – both ancient and modern – and contemporary culture. They should have a demonstrated proficiency in Bible knowledge, Greek, Hebrew, English, homiletics, counseling methods, church administration, pastoral ministry, and know everyone in the congregation by name.?
Oh, and pastors are also expected to have exemplary marriages and families. And, as if seven to eight years of college and graduate school aren’t enough, it would be nice to see them get their D.Min.
It’s no wonder that the last thing a pastor wants is one more responsibility. That’s the way I felt when my men asked me to start a men’s ministry in our church. I already felt overwhelmed. How could I possibly take on another ministry?
Fortunately, men’s team ministry to their widowed and single parents in churches is simple enough that an average, ordinary layman can start it and lead it. So, not only does it not heap one more burden on the pastor, it actually takes a major one off – making sure that the needs of the neediest people in a church are being met.
So Pastor, find a layman in your church whom you think might take a liking to this ministry and send him to NewCommandment.org. Then sit back with your feet up on your desk and enjoy ten minutes of rest.
“We will turn this responsibility over to them?” and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:3-4).
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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