I've had a couple conversations with congregations lately about serving them as pastor. These conversations were not for what our tribe (denomination) names as calls of service, but to serve as interim or supply pastor. Perhaps in lay-mans terms... be a part-time pastor, though I'm unclear about what this really means.
Our tribe, considers people who are rostered (ie credentialed) leaders who serve at a congregation as called positions of service. Meaning that a pastor is called to serve at a church. Being a called servant of the church means (at least the church hopes) that the Holy Spirit of God nudges the congregation and person seeking the call towards discerning whether or not both congregation and pastor are called to work in the congregations ministry together.
A calling also implies something higher and deeper taking place. For our tribe, an importance on conversation, forgiveness, and grace is part and parcel of this higher calling that both the congregation and the pastor are part of. And... this is where our tribes potential breakdown comes from because this is also the crack opening for our sinful desires to penetrate.
A job on the other hand is sort-of open-ended. You apply for a job... you get an interview or two, take some personality tests, and you get hired. While I believe most employers seek our loyalty (some jobs demand it) many workers aren't all that loyal. Many are still looking for that job that pays better, has better benefits, or better working conditions. Many settle and do the job or task they are told to do for a short time until the next move. Especially with today's economics as they are. It's a JOB!! and when you are without IT's A JOB!!! You invest what you need to and continue the look.
Back to "a Calling".... a calling I believe implies a deeper passion of vocation. When you are called to do something it implies a loyalty to the largeness of what could be. A calling is the coming together of your giftedness and passions empowering the vocation.
I believe if passion and giftedness are missing, one or both... well then, you have a job. Most people have the ability to do a job, but passion & giftedness take you to another level, thus it becomes a vocation.
All of this to ask.... is a part-time pastor position a calling or just a job? I mean, a person no matter if they are a pastor or just a regular Joe or Josephine, has to support themselves and or family don't they?
Another question that often crosses my mind... Is it ok for a pastor to look at what he/she does as a job? When I find myself thinking this I'm troubled by it. However, when I look at the church for a called position, there are few matches... so much for church/pastor discernment.
The long and short of this conversation is lately... I feel my passion and giftedness of vocation are not being utilized in our tribe. Thus... I conclude the feeling that working as a part-time pastor is just a job.
See You Out on the Road
Our tribe, considers people who are rostered (ie credentialed) leaders who serve at a congregation as called positions of service. Meaning that a pastor is called to serve at a church. Being a called servant of the church means (at least the church hopes) that the Holy Spirit of God nudges the congregation and person seeking the call towards discerning whether or not both congregation and pastor are called to work in the congregations ministry together.
A calling also implies something higher and deeper taking place. For our tribe, an importance on conversation, forgiveness, and grace is part and parcel of this higher calling that both the congregation and the pastor are part of. And... this is where our tribes potential breakdown comes from because this is also the crack opening for our sinful desires to penetrate.
A job on the other hand is sort-of open-ended. You apply for a job... you get an interview or two, take some personality tests, and you get hired. While I believe most employers seek our loyalty (some jobs demand it) many workers aren't all that loyal. Many are still looking for that job that pays better, has better benefits, or better working conditions. Many settle and do the job or task they are told to do for a short time until the next move. Especially with today's economics as they are. It's a JOB!! and when you are without IT's A JOB!!! You invest what you need to and continue the look.
Back to "a Calling".... a calling I believe implies a deeper passion of vocation. When you are called to do something it implies a loyalty to the largeness of what could be. A calling is the coming together of your giftedness and passions empowering the vocation.
I believe if passion and giftedness are missing, one or both... well then, you have a job. Most people have the ability to do a job, but passion & giftedness take you to another level, thus it becomes a vocation.
All of this to ask.... is a part-time pastor position a calling or just a job? I mean, a person no matter if they are a pastor or just a regular Joe or Josephine, has to support themselves and or family don't they?
Another question that often crosses my mind... Is it ok for a pastor to look at what he/she does as a job? When I find myself thinking this I'm troubled by it. However, when I look at the church for a called position, there are few matches... so much for church/pastor discernment.
The long and short of this conversation is lately... I feel my passion and giftedness of vocation are not being utilized in our tribe. Thus... I conclude the feeling that working as a part-time pastor is just a job.
See You Out on the Road
I would agree with your conclusion - if you are a "pastor" then you are there to serve and help people in their spiritual journeys in this life. So how can someone do that part-time? If all they want is a drone to get up and spit out some form of bible based talk on a Sunday then are they really even journeying in faith or placating their own need to believe they have faith so they can "get into heaven"? I think if anyone takes any position as a leader/pastor/minister with a group of people then they are investing their gifts and to treat such actions as a "job" while it may be needed to pay the bills in this modern church times of consumerism church I believe it would be a very hard thing for anyone with love and passion given by God for people to do it as only a Job..
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