Another week has come and nearly gone…
It felt like a normal, almost typical week…
At times it seemed so scattered and chaotic at times that I wondered if I had accomplished anything.
That’s “normal”…
I decided to look back at my calendar to see what I had actually done
Here are some highlights from a “typical” pastor’s week:
- Renewed the vows of a pastor friend’s 40th anniversary
- Talked to a pastor ready to quit
- Reconciled an expense report
- Talked with a man questioning his marriage
- Helped a pastor think through strategic change
- Talked to parents distressed over a son who got in trouble
- Wrote a sermon
- Led a meeting to talk about improving discipleship
- Met with school system officials (we meet in a school)
- Sent some thank you notes
- Wrote 9 blog posts
- Performed a wedding
- Met with the leader of a para-church ministry
- Did a radio/podcast interview
- Led an all-staff meeting
- Talked to a newly married son back from his honeymoon
- Met with the teaching team
- Had a date night with my wife
- Met with a staff member considering a new direction for his ministry
- Walked downtown with my wife
- Collaborated on a new e-Book project
- Met with my mentor
- Returned or made 30 or so phone calls
- Talked to a husband thinking his marriage is over
- Went to the dentist
- Tweeted…once or twice
- Met with a special team to organize a new ministry opportunity
- Answered and sent over 400 emails
- Walked a dog…a lot!
- Sent or received about a hundred text messages
- Met with a staff member with some personal issues
- Ran over 30 miles
- Instant messages with a son in Italy
- Hugged a daughter-in-law
- Prayed…a few times
- Helped a businessman think through organizational changes
- Hung out with my summer intern
I guess what I’ve discovered is…
There is no typical week…
At least I only work on Sundays!
What did you do this week? Is your week ever “typical”?
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After reading this and thinking about how random our schedules can be as pastors it reminds me of how flexible we have to be. I’m always trying to keep my life better organized but sometimes that seems so futile. Question, do you journal daily about your day to remember all othis? Or was this just off the top of your head? Should we journal about our week? Just curious…
You're right. We do have to be flexible. I do journal, but not like I used to. I journal in my Evernote, keeping notes of the day and in my calendar and then much of it appears on my blog….as a post. I had to look back over it, but the good thing with it being online is that it doesn't go away or get lost. I think some form of capturing our day is powerful, if for no reason than looking back and seeing how God moves.
I think that a hectic schedule. It's business as usual in my life as internal auditor in thi week. Preparatory work, field work, travel, post field work, report writing, meeting with management, reading one book, etc.. etc..
Thanks Uma! Sounds like you are busy also!
Yup! As internal auditors, always TRAVELING tobranches/projects of my organization.I am like a vagabond, at times. From: notifications@intensedebatemail.comTo: uma_maheswaran@hotmail.comSubject: ronedmondson replied to your comment on Highlights of a “Typical” Pastor's Week
Thanks Uma!
This was my week:
– Co-hosted local radio program
– wrote 5 blog posts
– Led 5 Bible studies at Vacation Fight School
– wrote over 3000 words on the discussion boards of 4 separate college classes (I'm working on a degree)
– read 6 chapters in American Politics, Human Sexuality, and Human Lifespan Development
– met with a mentor to discuss strategic changes
– read 27 chapters in the Bible
– reviewed sermon notes for weekend message
– built graphics for weekend message and produced video announcements
– participated in 57 phone calls and responded to about 200 emails
– several phone meetings about an upcoming event
– phone meeting with a potential church planter
– great conversation with a man outside of our church building
– talked with 4 new families who have started attending our church
– fixed broken toilet at church
– talked strategy and new direction with team members
– had several impromptu sword fights and wrestling matches with 2 sons
– met with 2 separate AC repairmen regarding 2 separate yet equally broken AC units
– lots of praying!
– facilitated a Financial Peace University class
– read a book
– worked on research paper titled "The Effects of Bipolar Disorder on the Successful Achievement of Erikson’s Life Tasks During Developmental Stages of The Lifespan"
– congratulated family on the birth of their first child
– cooked dinner for the family
– took my wife on a date
I'm with you, there is no such thing as a typical week for a pastor!
Wow, you were scattered too! Does it go with the job?
I think it does. In my 6.5 years of full-time vocational ministry I don't think I've ever had a work week that didn't look something like this.