Welcome to Season 2 of the Your Church Matters podcast. In this episode (56), I unpacked 2 reasons why the idea of a pastor having to go to work is actually detrimental to significant ministry.
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I have been asked the following questions:
- Are you working today?
- Are you at work?
- Are you going to work today?
- Are you going to be at work today?
I have often answered, “Yes, I am working, but I will not be at the office.” My perspective is that you don’t always need to to “go to work” to be effective in ministry.
Two reasons why pastors shouldn’t have to go to work
- Work is not a place; it is an action. It is something to be accomplished. The work of ministry happens in various times and places and through various means. It is not limited to the physical location of the church building. In fact, some of the work of ministry cannot happen there. A mobile pastor who gets out to where the “real” people are and stays connected through the technology available to him may be doing more effective ministry than one who remains “at the office” in case someone drops by. And if work is not a place, then things like study, drive time, preparation for meetings, lunch with church members and others, connecting with the community through a local service organization–these are all included in the work of the ministry.
- Having to go to work may rob you of the joy of getting to do meaningful ministry. This is a matter of perspective. Someone once said, “Do what you love and you’ll never work another day in your life.” If you have to do something, you probably don’t love it. If you get to do something, it takes on a different meaning. Stop saying, “I have to go to work today.” Instead, say, “Today, I get to study God’s word in preparation for sharing life changing truth with people. Today, I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the lives of people who are struggling with questions, concerns, disappointments, and ailments. Today, I get to do life with people, helping them to find and fulfill their purpose as followers of Jesus. Today, I get to show people what a Christ-follower looks like in real life situations.”
What is one thing you can start doing today that will change your perspective on going to work? How can you help your congregation adopt this perspective?
To comment on this episode or leave a question for a future episode:
1. Comment section below
2. Email: contactgerrylewis@gmail.com
3. Voicemail: 817-929-0643
4. Direct tweet @drgerrylewis
*Special thanks to Keith Cooper (Guitar Music)
*Special thanks to Nathan Woodward (Saxophone Music)
