Reasons a pastor would take a 3 month break - Page 2

EA · #11 07-18-2009, 10:11 PM

Nahkoe,

I don't know what the answer is in your situation, but I do know that there are times when a pastor needs to step away for a bit. When he needs to escape it all for a while, just to maintain sanity.

See, when a pastor is under heavy stress, it's not enough to step away from the pulpit, because the pulpit is not the real issue. I have found that carrying the weight of everybody's problems can be very depressing, at times. And if a pastor steps away from the pulpit, but comes to every service, those needs are still gonna be there. So, I understand the need for a total break.

IMO, three months does seem a bit long, but I am old school. I rarely miss a pulpit session, and rarer still, miss a service. I am learning to pace myself. My first several years as a pastor, I have chained myself to the work. The next few, I intend to involve others quite a bit more.

Scott Hutchinson · #12 07-18-2009, 10:44 PM

If I ever get to be a pastor and feel a need of a break,I'll let yall know.

Sept5SavedTeen · #13 07-18-2009, 11:00 PM

The pastor needs to be there for the sake of the body, not because he is "most reverend pastor", but because he is a brother. My assembly needs ME, and I am not the pastor, and we need the brother who sits next to me, and the sister, and all of us need each other. The community also needs the church, and a church can not stop holding services for a length of time. To me, I would say a weekly service on either Saturday or Sunday, depending on your understanding is important. We all need vacations, but 3 months sounds crazy and that that pastor probably will lose touch like someone mentioned with his brethren. I also believe in plural eldership, and think a pastor only having to preach every other week or so is a great idea...

-Bro. Alex

pelathais · #14 07-19-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nahkoe

And not attend his church during this time either?

Can anyone think of anything?

I've visited a church 2 weeks in a row. The first week, the pastor wasn't there. Ok, he's out of town. No big deal. But tonight, he was there before service and I met him. But then not there for service, and the guy who preached mentioned that the pastor has been taking a break all summer.

??????

In some ways a pastor's job is something like an academic position. Sabbaticals are routine in academia. Also, it may be that he has family to care for, an elderly parent or a special needs child... maybe he's giving someone else a "break" from their chores while he takes a break from his?

pelathais · #15 07-19-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

If I ever get to be a pastor and feel a need of a break,I'll let yall know.

Yeah, and we'll know we can find you right there on that couch.

ILG · #16 07-19-2009, 10:20 AM

The other alternative is to do what we did and retire in our late thirties.

Pastoring is very hard work and if he wants to take a summer break, I think it may be the best thing he could do.

coadie · #17 07-19-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pelathais

In some ways a pastor's job is something like an academic position. Sabbaticals are routine in academia. Also, it may be that he has family to care for, an elderly parent or a special needs child... maybe he's giving someone else a "break" from their chores while he takes a break from his?

Some of my fellow profs way back took a break from sabbaticals and occasionally worked.

John Wesley the early leader of the Holiness Movement did 15 sermons a week.

Quote:

From this point forward Wesley would travel approximately 8,000 miles each year on horseback preaching an average of over 15 sermons a week (42,000 total in his life), almost until the day he died. It is estimated that he covered over 250,000 miles, almost all of it on horseback, during his life of preaching.

No car, no A/C and no lawn mower for chores back home.
I do think 20,000 miles a year for deer hunting and bass fishing trips is excessive for full time ministry.

CC1 · #18 07-19-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nahkoe

And not attend his church during this time either?

Can anyone think of anything?

I've visited a church 2 weeks in a row. The first week, the pastor wasn't there. Ok, he's out of town. No big deal. But tonight, he was there before service and I met him. But then not there for service, and the guy who preached mentioned that the pastor has been taking a break all summer.

??????

Saints.

U376977 · #19 07-19-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneAccord

Take a break from what? Everyone knows pastors have the cushiest jobs on the planet. Preach 2 maybe 3 times a week. How hard can that be? Why, its so easy a caveman can do it....

You are either being sarcastic or you have no clue what being a pastor is all about. If it was so easy there would not be a shortage of pastors nationwide. Pastors would not be quitting all across the country.

RandyWayne · #20 07-19-2009, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U376977

You are either being sarcastic or you have no clue what being a pastor is all about. If it was so easy there would not be a shortage of pastors nationwide. Pastors would not be quitting all across the country.

I am pretty sure he was being sarcastic.

Someone brought up a good point earlier. While I have NO problem with a pastor taking a short break/vacation, and in fact commend him for it, the fur will usually fly when a normal church member decided he or she needs to skip some services.....