The Job of a Pastor

Having been a pastor for almost two years now, I have a newfound respect for those women and men of the cloth. Here is the role of the pastor:

Resident scholar of theology and Bible, orator, self-help guide, counselor, administrator, motivator of unpaid volunteers, prayer warrior, living example of how Christ lived, counselor, close confidante, friend, the one who kisses all babies and asks how everyone's grandmothers are doing requiring a very good memory -- and one who is NEVER allowed to forget a name, one who must smile even when hurting inside, worship leader, Scripture reader, musician and/or connected to musical friends to prod into the position, sometimes janitor, computer tech guru, Mr. Fix-it, work-day organizer, perfect husband and father (no outbursts of anger allowed), one who keeps regular office hours, one who is always interruptable, one who changes the batteries in the wireless microphones, back-up sound booth worker, power-point creator, absorber of insults and anger, peacemaker among those who have no desire for peace, reconciler between enemies, solitary monk and the one who knows everyone, host for new members who eat lunch after church, political activist, community leader, one who serves on multiple conference boards, paper-work filler-outer, contact for insurance companies and phone bill companies and banks and disgruntled neighborhood dwellers, voracious reader of new Christian books, keenly aware of the vast body of classical literature (for sermons), youth worker and mentor, one who takes out the recycling bins, mopper, sweeper, and duster, charismatic leader, one who is funny, one who is serious, visionary, prophet, mild and timid listener, and the list goes on...

I'm not complaining. I love my job. But most people seem to think the pastor works one day each week. Think again.

I found this and it is even better than what I've written:

WANTED: SENIOR PASTOR
Handsome pastor needed to preach 10 minutes each Sunday. You will be
working daily from 8 a.m. until midnight. The perfect candidate will have a
burning desire to work with teenagers, and he will spend most of this time with
the senior citizens. He will smile all the time with a straight face because he has
a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his church. He will
condemn sin but never hurt anyone’s feelings. Attendance at all church
meetings is required. The perfect candidate will make at least fifteen home visits
per day and will always be in his office to be available should an emergency
arise. Preference will be given to a young pastor with 15-20 years of experience.
Some light janitorial duties required.