My Fervent Wish

I think it is the secret desire of every pastor to see more people become pastors. There is a tremendous shortage of ministers throughout the United States. I'll admit that the pay potential is probably not as high as it is in other professions. But the benefits are out of this world, literally! You often get a housing allowance or a parsonage to live in. You get health benefits. A book allowance (a huge plus for a book worm like me!)

But getting paid to preach God's holy word is its own reward! Man, there is nothing like it in all the world. God uses you to be a blessing in other people's lives. And there is an aura of respect that often goes along with being a servant of Jesus Christ.

I love reading and studying and growing more knowledgeable in the ways of the Lord. I love visiting with other people in the church, especially on the days I have serious cabin fever from sitting in front of a monitor all morning.

I also love getting together with other ministers. Being the pastor of a non-denominational church, I have to be more intentional and assertive about developing friendships with other clergy. But since I am an outgoing person, that is usually not a problem.

I should say that the only time I don't like making a house call is if they have a wild dog running loose or if the home owner is a heavy smoker. There was one lady I used to visit in Potter who was a chain smoker. And whenever I came home, my clothes smelled like I had been cleaning out chimneys all afternoon. Jeanne would make me put my clothes in the washer and take a shower immediately.

I also love the flexible hours. On Mondays, I sometimes skip town and catch a movie at the Darboy theater (I didn't go today, perhaps tomorrow).

I should also say that I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to making a sermon. Once I get going, I will work all night if need be until I get it done. Toward the end of the week, it is hard for me to think about anything else exceot getting that sermon out. It's like when a mom is giving birth. Her husband might really want to talk about the drapes for the new baby's room. But at that moment, the mom cannot think about drapes, but only about the ordeal of the birth. It's kind of like that for me. That sermon is my baby, and there is strain and pain associated with getting it out each week.

And once it is out, I tweak it and fine tune it and cut things out and add things in right up to the time of the service. I'm certainly not suggesting that other ministers do it the way I do it, only that this is my routine. I have Jeanne read the transcripts in advance, and she will make helpful suggestions. But she has a job of her own, and I sometimes feel guilty for relying on her proofreading skills all the time. Perhaps I should find someone else.

PM