Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Preacher's Day Off

In the normal work force of America people work Monday through Friday about 40 hours a week. They normally get Saturday and Sunday off.

1. Shouldn't a Pastor get one or two days a week off like the rest of America?
2. Should a church require their pastor to be in "The Office" a required number of hours?
3. What would be considered working hours? (Visiting, study, coffee with a deacon)
4. Should a pastor be compensated for overtime and travel for out of town funerals?
5. Does a pastor get nationally observed holidays off?

3 comments:

  1. 1. Shouldn't a Pastor get one or two days a week off like the rest of America?

    I don't know, but I'd say give at least 40 hours a week to the church, and make sure you give adequate time to your family (whatever time that may be.) I make it Saturdays.

    2. Should a church require their pastor to be in "The Office" a required number of hours?

    I don't think so. If he isn't doing the required work, they should just let him know. If he still refuses, bring two or three witnesses.

    3. What would be considered working hours? (Visiting, study, coffee with a deacon)

    I consider visitation, study for sermons and school my "working hours." Because of what it does for me, I consider preaching and church worship and in no way connected to my job as an associate pastor with youth responsibilities.

    4. Should a pastor be compensated for overtime and travel for out of town funerals?

    What is "overtime" for a pastor? As to out-of-town funerals, sure. But some churches pay ministry travel expenses already. Of course all this depends on the church's ability to give.


    5. Does a pastor get nationally observed holidays off?

    I don't take them. Do you? I mean, I may travel to Louisiana to visit the in-laws during Thanksgiving and Christmas, but if a church member calls, I'm gone back to church. I'm still "on-call" if you can use that phrase. On top of that, I tend to do much more study during those times than when I'm home.

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  2. Are you saying you do not enjoy your in-laws or family in general.

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  3. Until I went to school, I always took Mondays off (when necessary things did not interfere. If my schedule gets busy, I have the freedom to take some free time at odd times. Since I am on call 24/7, I have never kept office hours. I do my best to put in more than minimum time. I work at pastoring - although some joke it is a 3 hour a week job.

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