Pastors & Weekly Schedules

What do pastors do with their time? That's a great question! I don't always do a great job of keeping track of my work time during a given week. Thanks to a recent article from "The Christian Post," here's how I spend my time assuming I'm an "average Senior Pastor."

• Works more than 55 hours/week (42% of us work more than 60 hours.)
• Most of our time is spent in preparing sermons/worship services.
• More than 70% of us spend up to 5 hrs. a week in meetings.
• Half of us spend 2 - 5 hours each week in visitations.
• More than half of us are praying 1 - 6 hrs. a week and the same percentage of us are setting aside 2 - 5 hrs. in personal devotions a week that are not directly related to sermon preparation.

Here's my basic schedule for an average week: (The picture is where I work on my sermons.)

• Mondays - Sermon/Worship Service Preparation (All Day)
• Tuesdays - Staff Meetings, Hospital Visits, (Sometimes Evening Meeting)
• Wednesdays - Worship Planning, Bible Study Planning, Hospital Visits, Teach Bible Study, Lead Worship Service
• Thursdays - Office/Maintenance Staff Meetings, Church/Community Visitations, (Sometimes Evening Meeting,) & Teach Bible Study
• Friday Mornings - Final Editing of Sunday Sermon
• Saturday Mornings - Varies Depending on Church Schedule & Review Sermon Several Times
• Sundays - 3 Worship Services
• Everyday- 30 Minute Early Morning Personal Scripture/Prayer Time

Like any pastor, things change quickly due to funerals, counseling needs, weddings, and pastoral care emergencies. At least one of these ministry areas factors into a given week.

What's my favorite part of ministry? I deeply value my Monday sermon/worship planning time. If you ever notice me in a good mood on a Tuesday morning, it's probably because things went well on Monday! If I'm in a bad mood, then...

Well, let's just say, I appreciate your prayers especially on Mondays!