It’s a fine line. Pastors and other paid Church workers can
either become workaholics and neglect their families, or they determine to put
their families first and stick to a forty hour work week.
We all know the dangers of pastors who put the church before
their families. Their top priority is
the church and often there is little left over for home life. Spouses feel
neglected and children feel resentful to the parent, to the church and
sometimes to God.
Then there are those who insist that they will put family
first and not work over their forty hours a week.
I also have a problem with this attitude.
The church asks and even expects its members to volunteer
their time. They teach Sunday School,
youth group, serve on the worship team, plan events and much more. These jobs require not only time during
Sunday services but all the preparation time as well. Many put twenty hours or more a week into serving at church. They do this out of love for God and
commitment to their local congregation; never resenting the time they spent
serving.
If the church expects its members to volunteer their time,
after putting in forty to fifty hours in at their own jobs, how can their staff
not do the same? I think church staff
should be required to volunteer hours as well as their ‘paid’ hours at the
church.
Servant leadership involves leading by example. We cannot expect our people to do anything
that we are not willing to do ourselves.
I realize that most church staff falls into the first
category but this is still an issue that needs to be addressed.
Linking with Ann, I thank God for:
two days with no migraines
being able to exercise today
the elders at my church who anointing me with oil and prayed for healing from migraines
the sweet elder's wives who prayed with me afterwards, affirming their love for me
God's presence and power as I spoke at a Women's Tea on Saturday
a new friend who asked to go with me and for three hours spent sharing and bonding
my daughter who fixed Mother's Day dinner for me
my sweet mother who has been such a godly example in my life
my daughter and her sweet girlfriends who cleaned the house after their party
so so many who affirm their love and friendship and their support of my ministry
Hi Shanda - I agree with you. It most certainly is a huge balance issue. I am so glad to hear you have been migraine free for 2 days, trusting its the first days of many. God bless
ReplyDeleteTracy
Thanks, Tracy. It has been such a relief! I think the main problem is that I went off the preventatives and I am back on them.
DeleteI had not really thought of the staff being volunteers, too, just like all of the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteYou ask a hard question, and one I do not have the answer to. I am going to have to think on that one. Thanks for the prod!
I love your list of blessings-no migraines for 2 days. That is great!
Thanks for stopping by and following me. I just wanted to let you know that I was already following you.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more from your Blog. I hope you'll stop by to visit my blog from time to time.
http://lifewithtwinsandadramaqueen.com/
Doesn't "required to volunteer" kind of take away from the meaning of "volunteer"? :)
ReplyDeleteSeveral years ago when I was working 30+ hours on a church staff, which included all Sunday services and the Wednesday night programming, plus had two young kids at home, it would have been nearly impossible to fit a "volunteer" position into my life. I wanted to be involved with my kids' schooling so I volunteered in their classrooms when possible. I don't know when or how I would have been able to volunteer at church too. Whether I was working a church job or a secular job, I would not have had much time to volunteer at church. My husband, who was also on the church staff, volunteered in children's programming when I was working. Being told I had to volunteer on top of all that was going on in my life was overwhelming to me.
As families, we go through seasons that are busier than others. Whether we are church staff or not, our time can be limited and our ability to volunteer up to 20 hours a week is not always possible.
On the flip side, I get it. We ask people to volunteer but when we ourselves are not willing, it is an unfortunate situation.
Seems to me that it all comes down to attitude and where your heart is. If your attitude is such that you are no longer willing to serve wherever or whenever needed, then it might be time to look for a different profession...
Jennifer, I totally agree with you. That is why it is such a deli ma. Families are so important and they are our first priority. I guess I see so many, like you, who volunteer so many hours. I know you, even if you were working, you would still so 'something' at church. It is because it is your love language to God and who you are. When my children were young, I chose to volunteer in areas they were involved in.
DeleteI just think if we expect our people to serve at church on top of a work week, we should be willing to put in a few extra hours as well. This is not directed at any person or church....you know me...I've been at many churches. It was just what I was thinking of last night when I knew it was time to get a post out.
It does come down to the heart.
Totally agree.
ReplyDeleteYou really hit on something that I've been weighing back and forth for years. We all try to put family first, and I think it is Biblical that those who serve in our churches need to have their home and family in order. But I think when someone has a full time position in the church and is paid for that, then yes, there needs to be some "volunteering" just as the rest of us do. I worked 40 hours or more, took care of my home, mowed my lawn, did the shopping, etc. But because I was single, I was asked to do just about everything from nursery duty, teaching, kitchen duty, banquets, decorating, bible studies --- you name it, I did it. I just about lived there. But the paid staff all went home when they put their time in. I wondered about that. Still do. I'm so glad you brought this up today. I'll be back to read the comments that come after mine.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply Cora. I do think the church almost takes advantage of some people, especially singles. I remember when I was a single missionary, we would have mission meetings to refresh and the singles were asked to take care of kids??? Therefore , there was no refreshing time. I guess that is a different subject all together but we do take advantage of people who really have servant's hearts.
DeleteI'm not seeing a lot of comments so either people don't agree or don't have an opinion!
Oh they have a opinion Shanda :) We put all kinds of expectations on leadership. I agree with you but like you said there is a fine line---and there are seasons and giftings that have to be considered. Where I live in the South, it is not okay for the pastor not to go see people in the hospital but he tells my friend that the Elders said it wasn't a part of his job description. I think, "well, what about your heart condition? Like, why don't you go not because you have to, but because you can? You drive by the hospital on the way to your house. Leave your office an hour earlier."
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, who am I to judge another's heart? Are we not all growing up in Christ on an individual education plan?? There is no instant sanctification when one starts getting paid for ministry. And not to forget, leaders/teachers face a greater judgment. This should cause us to pray for them more---that they just don't put in their time but that God uses them greatly all day, every day. I want this for my leaders. I want them to have joy. I don't see it evident that often, but I am not quitting on them.
Interesting topic! I'm not on the church staff, but I am a volunteer who is burning out quickly because it is so hard to get people to volunteer. That's my disclaimer before going further :-)
ReplyDeleteI do think there is a lot that lies with the heart and with the attitude. Certainly there are seasons and stages and short-term circumstances. But if we are serving when God MOVES us to serve, then I have to believe that the ebbs and flows will balance the "work force", so to speak. I mean, it's God's work, right? And He knows what has to be done. And some people never see their responsibility in caring for and serving within the body.
And while I had not ever considered this directly in relation to church staff--I guess I have to agree that they are not exempt. As you stated, we all have other commitments, so to serve is a sacrifice for everyone. Yes, it is a tricky balance to maintain, and they will go through stages just like the rest of us. But to never have to do anything outside their church responsibilities? Nah. I don't think I can agree with that.
And now I've probably said enough.
So glad you're feeling better!!!
Steph
haha...I probably said enough the first time---without commenting further.
Deleteyeah, ha! That's what you getting for writing out loud! :)
DeleteI totally agree with you Shanda... leading by example is the way to go! to volunteer is to serve... if we love the Lord, it all comes naturally and we enjoy doing it :)more so, we'll find ways of serving! Glad you've been pain free for two days :)x
ReplyDeleteI think it comes down to boundaries. When I was single (for 37 years!) It felt like I was asked to volunteer more often because I could. I didn't have the home responsibilities. What people might forget (those who marry earlier in life) is that your friends are your family and your investment. They were my extended family. Now that I am married AND deacons in our church we will not allow that responsibility to take over, we will say no and do our best to find balance.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that your church staff volunteer... it may not be at your church, but somewhere. Especially it is expected from you the congregation.
I find myself often struggling to figure out what fits into my 40 hours at a church and what fits into my volunteer time. I often find myself "working" within office hours and outside of office hours doing "assigned" work and doing things that God has blessed me within the skill set. I find it hard to find the balance when I'm at the church at least 50 hours a week, plus the hour commute to and from work, and then to throw co-leading a mission this summer. I am thankful for my singleness in that I can strive to push myself to serve, but also I am learning the importance of taking a sabbath. I see a lot of people who work at a church and often don't get the spiritual growth they should be getting because they work at a church... they are pulled in a million directions when they work or even attend on a Sunday. Where is there time with God? I think it is often missing, so for me I'm learning to find the devotional and journaling balance, balancing worship and attending a service as a member... not as a staff member, and then working my hours, but also serving above and beyond...
ReplyDeleteI know too many pastors who work too hard. My husband has worked hard to find balance in this area ... but I still remind him at times, with a smile, "You are NOT Jesus... you do not have to save the world."
ReplyDeleteShanda, your post today speaks so beautifully to the spirit of one of our paid church staff whose retirement was celebrated yesterday. For almost 8 years, she has served as our Christian Ministries Director. Untiring, exuberant, happy, joyful, faithful, hard working, committed and many more adjectives describe the spirit she brought to her paid job. BUT she also taught us all about servanthood and discipleship in the many ways she gave of her time to programs and mission projects in our church. She has truly been an example of what you speak to today. I am so proud to be able to have worked alongside her in many programs, both in Sunday School and MOPS, and to have learned along with her what a servant really is.
ReplyDeleteGlad you've been headache-free for the last two days!
In our community, a lot of the staffers have a service also. Unless they are not members of our community, and then they are evangelized into community. Patsy from
ReplyDeleteHeARTworks
You make some really good points, Shanda.
ReplyDeleteValid comments - hot topic. I began my comment here - but it became too long. I guess I had more to say than I initially thot. Therefore, I have decided to write a follow up post at my place rather than clutter your place with my 'opinion'. You are welcome to join me there for a further read. And maybe, we'll get an even broader audience to address this real-time topic.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your candor and courage to address this, Shanda. I trust that it is OK for me reference and link to your post here - from mine.
blessings
Patrina <")>><
That is a difficult one...although I have to say that I have usually seen the pastor putting in more hours than what he/she was getting paid for. I've been at many churches and have witnessed many pastor-styles, but it has been rare to see a pastor not put in extra hours. The few that I have seen not do "above and beyond" often didn't have the connection with the congregation and volunteers like the other pastors. Then there is the struggle with family - pastors' children need attention just like any other child. What my husband (who is a pastor) and I (who is part-time church staff) have learned to do is involve our children as well. Good family time is serving together and our kids are learning to have a heart for serving God. We just make sure that we are involving them in an area that they show gifts.
ReplyDeleteSharon, thank you for sharing this 'work around'... That was indeed what we did growing up in a pastor's family. God bless you as you work to bring about balance.
Deleteblessings
Patrina <")>><