MONTHLY UPDATES

MAY 2019

One of our own Standing Stone shepherds recently posted a staggering story on Facebook. I thought it was quite telling regarding the unspoken expectations put on pastors. Kimble Knight said...

"How many hours must a pastor work each week to satisfy the congregation? As an experiment one pastor gave a survey to the twelve deacons in the church. He listed several congregational responsibilities and asked them to share the minimum amount of time that he should average in each area each week. He listed about twenty areas, but they were free to add other responsibilities to the blank lines.

He was shocked when he tallied the results. In order to meet those twelve deacons' minimum expectations, he had to fulfill the following responsibilities each week:
• Prayer at the church: 14 hours
• Sermon preparation: 18 hours
• Outreach and evangelism: 10 hours
• Counseling: 10 hours
• Hospital and home visits: 15 hours
• Administrative functions: 18 hours
• Community involvement: 5 hours
• Denominational involvement: 5 hours
• Church meetings: 5 hours
• Worship services/preaching: 4 hours
• Other: 10 hours

Total: 114 hours per week

If the pastor met only the minimum expectations of twelve deacons, he would have to work more than 16 hours a day for seven days a week. Or he could take one day off of work each week, and work 19 hours a day for six days a week. And then he would still would only meet the minimum expectations of twelve people in the church, not the entire membership. Clearly a pastor will sense the tension of so many factors competing for the limited hours in a week. And no one can ever humanly meet all those expectations."

That's why we are Standing Stone shepherds! Julie and I continue to encourage and counsel pastors, their spouses, young missionaries, former pastors, Christian counselors, and other ministry leaders. Thanks so much for your support through prayer and finances. We couldn't do this without you! We love you all and appreciate so much that you are partners with us.

For the Kingdom,

Jamie and Julie Overholser, field shepherds