Replies

Part of the problem is the congregation. They seem to think the minister is at their beck and call. For every little problem that might be solved on their own. It's taking advantage but they often feel that they are paying the man to be available and he ought to be available.

It's a two way street.

I guess all of us could ask ourselves if there isn't something we could do FOR the family, for the pastor, for his/her children.

"I guess all of us could ask ourselves if there isn't something we could do FOR the family, for the pastor, for his/her children."

There is something you can do - and this is from personal experience....

Tell the pastor to take care of themself FIRST... and their family SECOND... with their job somewhere after that.

I can't tell you how many times I've watched clergy work themselves sick (literally), and be REWARDED for it in pity points. "Oh, gosh, look how much Rev Jones loves us, and how much they sacrifice for God."

GARBAGE.

If God needs another martyr then God will call one. There is absolutely NO need for every pastor to be one.

If anyone works more than 55 hours a week then they kill themselves, their family life, and make stupid mistakes that make them COUNTER-productive (not just UN-productive).

Unfortunately, most clergy like to sit around and talk about how they work 60 - 70 - 80 hours a week. If a pastor says that they only work 40 hours a week (except emergencies and Holy Week) then the other clergy consider them lazy and unholy and actually work to get them dismissed from their ranks.

They seem to think the minister is at their beck and call. For every little problem that might be solved on their own.

The same goes for the wife. Most congregations expect almost as much from the preacher's wife as from the preacher. She is assumed to be on most, if not all committees, sing in the choir, attend ALL church functions, bring a dish to every wake or to the home of ill parishioners. She must keep her house spotless, her children immaculate and well-behaved at all times while smiling adoringly at her sainted husband.

Hillary may think she was the first one to come up with "two for the price of one". Actually that has been a reality in most Protestant denominations for decades.