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Hey, Pastor, What
do you do all week? By DR. DAVID L.
CHANCEY This is a true story, not a "pastor tale." A pastor in Ohio went to the home for Alzheimer's patients to visit an elderly church member. After greeting her, he said, "Lillie, do you know who I am?" She paused for a few moments and concentrated, trying to mouth the words. The pastor said, "Take your time, I know you know me. Who am I?" Her mouth began to form the word she finally spoke, "You're pastor . . ." "That's right," said the pastor, "do you remember my name?" She thought and thought and worked hard to finally say, "Yes, you're pastor good-for-nothing!" I wonder where she picked that up? Of course, that pastor's good for nothing! Why, he only works one day a week! I've had folks ask me, "What do you do all week?" Good question! Every week is different, though all have some similarities. No matter what else happens, I must to be ready for Sunday. Sermon preparation and prayer take up most of my mornings. I try to spend the afternoons doing visitation and administration. I try to visit members and prospects every week, but it never fails no matter how much ground I cover, there's always someone I meant to see. That's the nature of the ministry. It's never done. There was always one more phone call I should have made, one more visit I should have completed, one more task I should have tackled. That's why one pastor commented that he'd never hire anyone to mow his lawn. That was one task that gave him a sense of completion. Here's an example of one week in my ministry, February 23 March 1. SUNDAY: Arrived in time for 9:15 meeting with Sunday School workers to present plans for the March 16 McDonough Road 500 high attendance day. It was our turn to prepare breakfast for the youth division (up to 50 people) and my wife sent the breakfast with me. After the meeting, I stuck my head in several Sunday School classes and greeted people. A deacon asked if he could see me for a minute and met in my office for 15 to share a concern. I went over my message, "Thy Kingdom Come," and made last-minute adjustments, prayed and went to sanctuary to greet worshippers. I ate with a Sunday School class meeting for a chili lunch after worship. I returned home, read two sections of the Sunday paper, and put finishing touches on my Sunday evening message. I returned to church at 4:15, taught FAITH learners class at 5 p.m., left early to get to a listening meeting in sanctuary, preached, and made a FAITH visit to prospects' home. I returned to church for FAITH reporting time and got home about 9 p.m. MONDAY: A church member invited me to attend chapel at Chick-fil-a headquarters to hear Coach Mark Richt speak. Had picture taken with coach, spoke to Truett Cathy and greeted another church member and her parents. From there went I traveled to Piedmont Hospital to see a member and his wife. The husband was recovering from open heart surgery. I had a phone consultation with chairman of deacons while traveling home for lunch. I spent the afternoon in the office, where I met separately with three staff members on different matters. I mailed a letter to welcome center workers, and made phone calls while preparing to begin studying for Sunday. After supper, I travelled to Jones Funeral Home in Newnan to visit a member upon the death of her brother. Got home at 9 p.m. TUESDAY: Arrived at office around 8:20 after taking son to school. Met briefly with minister of music, then "closed my door" to get some serious studying underway. Left at 11:30 and went to weekly Fairburn Baptist ministers' luncheon in Union City for first time in months. Then I visited in two church members' homes on the west side of Fayette County until I returned to the office around 4:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY: Held staff meeting 9-10:30 a.m. Met pastor friend in Jonesboro for lunch to plan a deacon retreat I'm leading, met a waitress who lives in Fayetteville and is not attending church, and invited her to church. Phoned church members, phoned a prospect. Tried to make visitation appointment for Sunday night. Had phone conference with architect in preparation for listening meeting Wednesday night concerning a possible building expansion project. Made hospital visit at Fayette Community, then back to office to prepare for Wednesday night activities. Left church at 8:15 p.m. THURSDAY: Put finishing touches on Sunday morning sermon, prepared sermon notes outline for worship bulletin, then had quick visits in office with one staff member and three deacons throughout the morning. I went home for lunch, then made six newcomer visits, and one church member visit. I attempted other church member visit but the person was not feeling well. I went home about 5 p.m., then attended "clergy night" at the Fayette Civitan Club as a church member's guest. Had a good meal, heard a good program and met some fine men. FRIDAY: This is my day off, but I came into the office briefly to pick up some materials I needed to go over at home. SATURDAY: I enjoyed time at home, but did make several phone calls to prospects before Sunday. (Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Georgia. Join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m.).
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