What pastors want staff to know

I’m teaching a new course titled “How to Thrive and Succeed as a Congregational Ministry Associate.” The course features a narrative component that consists of visits from “practitioners.” These are ministry associates, “second chair” leaders, currently in congregations. The visitors were at several stages in the trajectory of professional ministry. Some were just starting their first or second years in ministry and some were seasoned veterans with many years of experience. Each was asked to share about their calling and to tell the story of their professional ministry experience.

Last week we offered “equal time” to a “first chair” leader. A former pastor, who only recently changed his ministry context, I asked him to share as part of his presentation a list of the “Five Things Pastors Want Staff to Understand.” Here is his list:

1. It’s not about you. It’s about the congregation, the Church, and the call to ministry.

2. Numbers matter. Numbers are not the measure of everything, but they are important to know. For example, numbers can reveal the “reach” of your congregation.

3. Clergy are called to embody the Gospel. This pastor cited tithing as an example, stressing why it is important for pastors and staff to practice tithing. His challenge: “Stop your whining and pay your tithe.”

4. Fifty hours of work a week is the standard in ministry. Ministry is complex and demanding and it’s not a nine to five job.

5. Be ye doers of the word. It is not enough to organize others to do ministry, this pastor said. “You have to do it yourself.” Ministry is about doing something for Jesus, not just getting others to do it, he said.