Monday, June 20th marked my one-year anniversary of serving here at Trinity. I will state the usual cliche that I cannot believe that it has been a year already. I will also say that I feel like I have been super busy without feeling like I have accomplished a whole lot (I have heard that I share this sentiment with most pastors). But most importantly, I will say that God has been at work through my efforts here. And nothing could be more valuable to me as I assess my faithfulness as a pastor.
A few months back, one of our congregation's young adults asked me what I do all day. For a split second, I felt offended, because I thought that she was intimating that my daily work couldn't possibly be that worthwhile. But then, I realized that I used to ask the same questions about my pastors, and that most of the members of the church (who usually only see the fruits of my labors on Sunday morning or in church meetings) truly do not know what it is that we do all day, and want to know that we are being good stewards of their donated funds.
Well, in response to this question and in honor of my first anniversary at Trinity, I thought I would list some of the tasks that accompany a typical week for me. As an associate pastor who does not preach on a weekly basis and does not have a singular focus for ministry, I am tasked with scattered (but important!) responsibilities. So here is a tasting of the things that I regularly do around here:
- As the pastor of Evangelism, I and a team of two other great staff members (Lisa Elliott and Karen Smith) contact (via e-mail, phone, or note) visitors to our worship services in order to get to know them and to see if we can assist them in their walk of faith in any way. Also, this responsibility involves making sure that Trinity is a hospitable place.
- As the pastor for our Young Adult ministries, I am in charge of organizing events (like our YA Tailgate and Convergence), YA Sunday Schools, and other YA small groups. Did you know that Trinity has over 500 members who are between the ages of 22 and 35???
- I am also in charge of our Men's Ministry, which involves me helping to plan two dinners every year, along with men's small groups.
- I coordinate the Trinity Business Directory, an online yellow pages for Trinity's entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- I am the staff liaison for Trinity's Boy Scout troop, Troop 97.
- I am in charge of creating Trinity's annual church-wide survey.
- I am also charged with overseeing the Family Life Center (gym), where we host birthday parties and athletic events.
- In the fall and spring, I teach one short-term small group.
- Every Tuesday morning, I join the clergy and the entire church staff for meetings to discuss the prior Sunday, the upcoming Sunday, other events and ministries around the church, and also long-range planning for the future of the congregation. Most of the staff meets between these two meetings for a short, 30-minute chapel service.
- General pastoral duties include weekly hospital visitation, counseling (marriage and personal), preaching (which I have done about once per month on average), and other worship responsibilities.
- I have found that working on my own spiritual formation in the midst of all of this is crucial to my growth as a pastor. As such, I read a psalm and pray before I turn on my computer every day. I spend about 10-15 minutes translating one or two verses from my Hebrew Bible and my Greek New Testament. If I have enough free time at the office, I will also try to get some pertinent reading done (to see what I'm currently reading, friend me on Goodreads).
- In order to compensate for our work on Sunday and business "after hours" throughout the week, I am granted one day off in the middle of the week (which is usually errand day!).
- Occasionally, I find time to post a blog.
