Artists with office hours

Clergy stress is in the news again. Lately
there's been a lot of discussion about clergy health, well-being and
effectiveness. I found these issues personally pressing as the deadline for my
United Methodist conference's annual interviews approached. Pastors are asked
to reflect on the past year, set goals for the next and share their plans for
self-care and continuing education. All of this is growing more important and
more poignant for me since I've returned to work after the birth of my second
child. I find myself noticing how many nights a week I am out of the house, how
many days in a row I'm in the office, how many tasks fill my plate.

It's
not that I'm overworked or want to work less. It's not that I doubt my calling
or effectiveness or feel the judgment of my congregation or supervising pastors
weighing down on me. I don't expect each day to be rich and joyful, and I don't
feel my time is too valuable to do menial tasks, or that God would be better
served if I spent less time talking with people who stop by the office and more
time in prayer. If I fantasize about leaving my job, I give thanks that my
daydreams are usually occasioned by tasks that are quickly if begrudgingly
completed (composing teacher handbooks) or rarely required (justifying my
position to an anxious finance committee).

The
church needs clergy who are introspective and insightful about the nature of
their calling and principled and flexible in the practice of ministry. We need
clergy who are willing to give up a day off sometimes for the good of the
congregation and who know that it's
well-advised to play hooky sometimes. That's the balance I seek for me, for my
family, for my congregation, for God.