To All The Pastors

Perhaps they have church members who actually help pull their share because they understand it's the responsibility of all Christians to do the work of Christ, instead of just the pastor.

Churches like that are few and far between and if our BB pastors are blessed to have such a church, I say PRAISE THE LORD!

 

That's me!!! Double praise the Lord!!!:applause::wavey::jesus:

 

That is a question I have often wondered myself. I am amazed at the amount of time and effort my pastor dedicates on a daily basis. It is truly humbling and encouraging to witness. I couldn't imagine him ever having time to sit in front of a computer posting on a message board. But then again I am also often amazed at the amount of time spent here by many no matter what their vocation.

 

How much time do pastors spend on this board? What is the specific number of minutes or hours they spend?

 

I don't think one can automatically make that assumption. I can only speak about my own church, but I believe it has more people selfless giving of their time than any church I have ever seen. I always have assumed it was from the wonderful example, the loving attitude and the spirit of serving that our pastor and staff produce.

 

while i am a pastor I am not a "sr pastor." I hope that adds a necessary qualification to my post.

Perhaps two major reasons exist how I have the time. One I believe my interaction with various Christians on these boards is essential to my personal growth. I love conversation so I make time for it, though admittedly it doesn't take my much tome to post as I do here. My second reason is that I serve with. Large staff in a large church context. This means I don't have to do everything for the church. I find time to read, study, and complete my pastoral obligations by coordinating with other staff. I stay busy, but not so busy primarily because of shared duties.

One of my "tricks" is that I post using, primarily, my iPhone. I check the msg boards through having various browser windows available. I can simply check a board, I have become pretty adept at speed reading from my PhD days, and I engage only threads that seem to interest me. I can do most of my replying in short five minute segments in the morning, afternoon, and evening. It really doesn't take up that much time. As I travel around, which isn't as frequent as it once was, I spend lots of time waiting for the next plane. This is good time for posting and reading here and in other online communities. I value that time.

While I've been working on this reply I had to pause to reply to an email, its just multitasking and I've gotten pretty good at it. I stay super connected and will be on some kind of electronic device nearly all day. Its not a bad thing for me, its how I get stuff done. Usually Fridays and Saturdays are a bit less electronic than other days.

As a pastor and one who knows other senior pastors of varying sized churches, we all make time for what is important to us. I can conduct all of my duties and take care of my flock while still engaging in a number of conversations electronically or personally. There is an abundance of time in the day for all of this, it is just how we manage it. When I am studying for a teaching time, or working on a new book, or whatever I can use this kind of a place as a relaxer and way to see how people reply to ideas.

I'd be willing to bet that if we examined everyone's days we could all find time to do many other things if we validated them. Including me. I know for senior pastors lots of this comes down to delegation and what is important to them. For me I never stop thinking about Sunday, I am focused and always refining. There are important times and there are not so important times in my year. Its all in what we validate.

 

Neither should one automatically assume that pastors (or other people) who frequent this board are neglecting their duties in other areas by being here.

This is a hot topic for me, Steven, because I've seen so many church folks display such nasty holier-than-thou attitudes about how others, especially pastors, use their time. That's why you'll see I'm quick to defend pastors in this thread.

My dh is a bi-vo pastor and he hardly has time to use the bathroom, much less spend quality time with his family. If he spends a few minutes each day unwinding by posting on an internet forum, getting fellowship with other believers, that's certainly fine by me, and I'd set anyone straight who dared complain about it!

Maybe the op is just curious, and I hope that is the case. On the other hand, if I had a quarter for every time I've heard people expressing their ignorant opinions about how the pastor should spend his time, I'd be a rich woman.

 

Bingo! :thumbs:

 

I am not a pastor but my guess is that they know that folks like you and I need their wisdom here on the BB.

HankD

 

I don't think that is what the OP was doing. I have had that same question myself, and while I am amazed at the quantity of time spent here by some, I don't automatically think that they must be neglecting anything in doing so. Personally I couldn't imagine spending so much time posting on a message board, but not because doing so would be neglecting anything, but rather IMHO I would feel like there would be a more productive way of spending much of that time.

Thats understandable, I can appreciate why you might be quick to react.

I can appreciate that, good for you. I don't think Martin was thinking of the amount of posting you just descibed when he asked the question.

 

our pastor does his job and has a christian blog where he write articles, does anumber of things, and still presents 2 sermons on Sunday and a lesson on Wednesday. He has support in church, he does not do everything in the church himself. A pastor with no free time is an over worked pastor where his people think he should do everything and they have no responsibilities. Have seen this a number of times, and I'm sure everyoen else has too.

 

I am at my office by 7:15 every morning. I don't leave until after 5 PM, then I eat dinner, spend time with my wife and usually go visit someone or call people.

I take the time because I think it important to myself. I don't look through every thread. When the debate is about Calvinism/non-calvinist or eschatology and for the most part any political issue, I stay out although i might read what people are saying at least until people start nit-picking and name calling.

 

Even a pastor gets to have some time away from church duties. As for me, I still get it all done!

 

Most pastors I know, and I know alot of pastors, have their set duties and only emergencies interupt their "comfort zone". Too many are preoccupied with other activities than serving the Lord full time. I'd hope this wouldnt be so common today as if their time on BB wasnt a way of filling up spare time. I'd rather hope our time is Spent ministering and refuting false idiologies we see so much of here ;-)

 

Hey Martin, it sounds like your pastor is headed toward burn out. I only go out at night two nights a week if I can help it and that doesn't count Wednesday night. I try to keep my hours between 40 and 50 and if I can help it I keep it closer to 40. I get done what needs to be done. And, in the meantime I spend time with my family, take care of the house, and somehow manage to find time to post on the Baptist Board.

Actually, the Baptist Board only involves around five or so minutes at the time. Say I'm stuck on a sermon point and need to get away and let some thoughts brew. During those few minutes I'll check my email and the BB.

 

Yeah, I'll "zip on," post 1-2 things, and "zip off."

There are times early AM (5-6 a.m.) which I might stay a while. Often I've been up since 3-4 (because of my back, I don't sleep well and sleep in "spurts.")

I've trended down significantly over the last year or so on posts during the day. I still take those 5-10 minute breaks, but I don't want folks thinking I'm wasting time.