Comments on: On the Ministry: Tasks Verses Relationships http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/ A Lutheran View of Depression Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:20:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Crysten http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2263 Crysten Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:19:44 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2263 Maybe this is completely off topic, but what about when the congregation begins to hold the Pastor accountable in a way that makes him out to be an employee rather than a minister? Specifically, I think of a situation where the Pastor is a wonderfully faithful preacher and teacher, in that he delivers wonderful Bible Studies and sermons, and that he also administers the sacraments faithfully. Yet, this man is accused of "only doing what is necessary" in other areas of the congregation (i.e. VBS prep, attending non-necessary functions, etc). I know it is a great thing when the Pastor is able to be at things beyond his "call of duty," but what happens when he is getting called out for not being at those things? Is he in the wrong for not going "above and beyond," or is the congregation wrong for calling him apathetic? Maybe this is completely off topic, but what about when the congregation begins to hold the Pastor accountable in a way that makes him out to be an employee rather than a minister? Specifically, I think of a situation where the Pastor is a wonderfully faithful preacher and teacher, in that he delivers wonderful Bible Studies and sermons, and that he also administers the sacraments faithfully. Yet, this man is accused of "only doing what is necessary" in other areas of the congregation (i.e. VBS prep, attending non-necessary functions, etc). I know it is a great thing when the Pastor is able to be at things beyond his "call of duty," but what happens when he is getting called out for not being at those things? Is he in the wrong for not going "above and beyond," or is the congregation wrong for calling him apathetic?

]]> By: Nasako Weires-Madsen http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2262 Nasako Weires-Madsen Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:27:04 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2262 I would recommend you read some of Scott Hahn's writings-books, articles, etc. even listen to his tapes. Find them at any Catholic Bookstores and/or Christian Bookstores. I sympathize with you. It must be hard trying to be a father and husband to both a family (the domestic church) and a congregation! I understand Jesus' twelve apostles were married except for John and James. Interpreting Scriptures, it sounds like these married men pretty much left their family behind to follow in the footsteps of our Lord working for the kingdom of heaven. Keep up the good spirit Todd and May God bless you and your family for all you do for souls! Thanks for sharing your wisdom! I would recommend you read some of Scott Hahn's writings-books, articles, etc. even listen to his tapes. Find them at any Catholic Bookstores and/or Christian Bookstores. I sympathize with you. It must be hard trying to be a father and husband to both a family (the domestic church) and a congregation! I understand Jesus' twelve apostles were married except for John and James. Interpreting Scriptures, it sounds like these married men pretty much left their family behind to follow in the footsteps of our Lord working for the kingdom of heaven. Keep up the good spirit Todd and May God bless you and your family for all you do for souls! Thanks for sharing your wisdom!

]]> By: ShM http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2260 ShM Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:19:43 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2260 Thoughtful way of boiling down life, Todd--for any of us: what we do or relationships. Good food for thought ... Thoughtful way of boiling down life, Todd–for any of us: what we do or relationships. Good food for thought …

]]> By: ShM http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2261 ShM Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:19:43 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2261 Thoughtful way of boiling down life, Todd--for any of us: what we do or relationships. Good food for thought ... Thoughtful way of boiling down life, Todd–for any of us: what we do or relationships. Good food for thought …

]]> By: Rev. Mark R. Meier, Sr. http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2258 Rev. Mark R. Meier, Sr. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:51:57 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2258 Don't try to do it alone. Identify your strengths and get others to fill in especially where you know your weaknesses. Make sure you are doing those things that only you are responsible to accomplish first and then delegate. Like the week divinded into 15 minute segments, it is time consuming to do the analysis and recruitment but the result could ease some tension and improve the level of accomplishment. Now I need to listen to myself by reinforcing the support I have in my weak areas and making sure I do my best at what needs my attention. btw, I admire the skills I see in you, Todd, and thanks for the work you've shared. Joyfully in Christ, Mark Don’t try to do it alone.
Identify your strengths and get others to fill in especially where you know your weaknesses. Make sure you are doing those things that only you are responsible to accomplish first and then delegate.
Like the week divinded into 15 minute segments, it is time consuming to do the analysis and recruitment but the result could ease some tension and improve the level of accomplishment.
Now I need to listen to myself by reinforcing the support I have in my weak areas and making sure I do my best at what needs my attention.
btw, I admire the skills I see in you, Todd, and thanks for the work you’ve shared.
Joyfully in Christ,
Mark

]]> By: Rev. Mark R. Meier, Sr. http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2259 Rev. Mark R. Meier, Sr. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:51:57 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2259 Don't try to do it alone. Identify your strengths and get others to fill in especially where you know your weaknesses. Make sure you are doing those things that only you are responsible to accomplish first and then delegate. Like the week divinded into 15 minute segments, it is time consuming to do the analysis and recruitment but the result could ease some tension and improve the level of accomplishment. Now I need to listen to myself by reinforcing the support I have in my weak areas and making sure I do my best at what needs my attention. btw, I admire the skills I see in you, Todd, and thanks for the work you've shared. Joyfully in Christ, Mark Don’t try to do it alone.
Identify your strengths and get others to fill in especially where you know your weaknesses. Make sure you are doing those things that only you are responsible to accomplish first and then delegate.
Like the week divinded into 15 minute segments, it is time consuming to do the analysis and recruitment but the result could ease some tension and improve the level of accomplishment.
Now I need to listen to myself by reinforcing the support I have in my weak areas and making sure I do my best at what needs my attention.
btw, I admire the skills I see in you, Todd, and thanks for the work you’ve shared.
Joyfully in Christ,
Mark

]]> By: Shawn Kumm http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2256 Shawn Kumm Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:57:27 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2256 Thanks for bringing this topic up, Todd. In the ten virtures a preacher should have, Luther states, "He . . . should let himself be plagued by everybody." But you express well the frustration we have in that. There are just somethings that have to get done during the day AND there are some people that really need to be visited. I frequently tell my congregation that "people are more important than paper," especially when they say, "Oh, Pastor, you don't need to visit. You're so busy." Once in a great while I will take a week and record on a seven day calendar with each day divided into 15 minute increments everything I've done and everyone I've visited. I noted that often times one phone call could easily turn into 15 minutes of work. I shared the snapshot of that week with the chairman of the Board of Elders and said, "This is what a week looks like for me. If you have any questions or suggestions, please offer them." Thanks for bringing this topic up, Todd. In the ten virtures a preacher should have, Luther states, “He . . . should let himself be plagued by everybody.” But you express well the frustration we have in that. There are just somethings that have to get done during the day AND there are some people that really need to be visited. I frequently tell my congregation that “people are more important than paper,” especially when they say, “Oh, Pastor, you don’t need to visit. You’re so busy.” Once in a great while I will take a week and record on a seven day calendar with each day divided into 15 minute increments everything I’ve done and everyone I’ve visited. I noted that often times one phone call could easily turn into 15 minutes of work. I shared the snapshot of that week with the chairman of the Board of Elders and said, “This is what a week looks like for me. If you have any questions or suggestions, please offer them.”

]]> By: Shawn Kumm http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2257 Shawn Kumm Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:57:27 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2257 Thanks for bringing this topic up, Todd. In the ten virtures a preacher should have, Luther states, "He . . . should let himself be plagued by everybody." But you express well the frustration we have in that. There are just somethings that have to get done during the day AND there are some people that really need to be visited. I frequently tell my congregation that "people are more important than paper," especially when they say, "Oh, Pastor, you don't need to visit. You're so busy." Once in a great while I will take a week and record on a seven day calendar with each day divided into 15 minute increments everything I've done and everyone I've visited. I noted that often times one phone call could easily turn into 15 minutes of work. I shared the snapshot of that week with the chairman of the Board of Elders and said, "This is what a week looks like for me. If you have any questions or suggestions, please offer them." Thanks for bringing this topic up, Todd. In the ten virtures a preacher should have, Luther states, “He . . . should let himself be plagued by everybody.” But you express well the frustration we have in that. There are just somethings that have to get done during the day AND there are some people that really need to be visited. I frequently tell my congregation that “people are more important than paper,” especially when they say, “Oh, Pastor, you don’t need to visit. You’re so busy.” Once in a great while I will take a week and record on a seven day calendar with each day divided into 15 minute increments everything I’ve done and everyone I’ve visited. I noted that often times one phone call could easily turn into 15 minutes of work. I shared the snapshot of that week with the chairman of the Board of Elders and said, “This is what a week looks like for me. If you have any questions or suggestions, please offer them.”

]]> By: Susan http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2253 Susan Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:45:40 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2253 I think pastors are the men with the job that makes them most able to understand what it is to be a mommy. What you both have written sounds like what moms puzzle through and struggle with constantly. I know a pastor who has a pretty good handle on the balance between tasks and relationship-time. What's interesting, though, is that -even then- there can be tension, because there are those around him who may not approve of the balance and wish he was going more to the one ditch or the other. I think pastors are the men with the job that makes them most able to understand what it is to be a mommy. What you both have written sounds like what moms puzzle through and struggle with constantly.

I know a pastor who has a pretty good handle on the balance between tasks and relationship-time. What's interesting, though, is that -even then- there can be tension, because there are those around him who may not approve of the balance and wish he was going more to the one ditch or the other.

]]> By: Susan http://www.darkmyroad.org/2009/10/on-the-ministry-tasks-verses-relationships/comment-page-1/#comment-2255 Susan Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:45:40 +0000 http://darkmyroad.org/?p=480#comment-2255 I think pastors are the men with the job that makes them most able to understand what it is to be a mommy. What you both have written sounds like what moms puzzle through and struggle with constantly. I know a pastor who has a pretty good handle on the balance between tasks and relationship-time. What's interesting, though, is that -even then- there can be tension, because there are those around him who may not approve of the balance and wish he was going more to the one ditch or the other. I think pastors are the men with the job that makes them most able to understand what it is to be a mommy. What you both have written sounds like what moms puzzle through and struggle with constantly.

I know a pastor who has a pretty good handle on the balance between tasks and relationship-time. What's interesting, though, is that -even then- there can be tension, because there are those around him who may not approve of the balance and wish he was going more to the one ditch or the other.

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