Carol Howard Merritt, a Presbyterian pastor and the author of Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation (2007 – read my review here) and Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New Generation (2010 – read my review here), recently shared her list of 10 reasons why being a pastor is the best job ever. It included
- relating to anyone,
- writing, and
- variety.
So What?
Pastoral ministry is one of the more diverse professional pursuits. While many immediately think of a pastor serving a local congregation (and often as a solo pastor), increasing numbers do ministry in other contexts. For me, all such experiences have including incredible amounts of writing (and speaking) as well as amazing variety. And, as a whole, they have taught me an important life lesson: how to relate to anyone.
As I pondered what I might add to Merritt’s list, I considered many possibilities. The additions I would be most likely to suggest are
- people, people, and people (something like location, location, location is to real estate),
- recruiting, equipping, evaluating, and celebrating volunteers (anyone who has ever had to “fire” a volunteer understands how handling human resources matters with volunteers differs from doing so with paid staff), and
- enjoying incredible meals (certainly a contributor to a negative: many overweight ministers).
Pastoral ministry can be hard work, but it is also the best job I have ever had.
- What is the best job you have ever had?
- Share something positive about pastoral ministry.