I feel I have a license to rip on pastors because I am one. It’s not true that I have a license, I just feel that way. I’ll try not to let that false perception push me to being a jerk…but I do have a slight bone to pick with people like me.

It seems like pastors play the sympathy card too much. We talk a lot about how busy we are, how difficult our job is and how we’re always on call. A lot statistics about burnout and stress levels get tossed around. I guess it’s all legit.

But how about a little perspective:

• Your job’s tough, too. It probably comes with a lot of stress.
• Of course I’m busy. So are you.
• I have good weeks and bad. So do you.
• Some weeks I work ridiculous hours. Most weeks I don’t.

Just like you, people often ask to spend time with me. More often than not it goes something like this:

I’m so sorry to ask…I know you’re a pastor, and the church is growing, and you must be so busy all of the time…but do you think we could talk at some point?”

Dear Vineyard Family: Please don’t feel the need to apologize. My job’s pretty incredible, actually! I largely set my own schedule and my own priorities. It has it’s ups and downs, but I’m doing what I love. The truth is, it’s probably a lot easier for me make that meeting work than it is for you.

 A Badge of Honor

Busyness is a badge of honor in our culture. I used to feel proud of myself when my schedule got crazy. It made me feel important, like I was in high demand. Now I’m embarrassed by it. Extreme busyness most often indicates misaligned priorities, poor time management, and an inflated sense of self-importance (If you’re always out of time, this may help).

Maybe it shouldn’t be a badge of honor. Maybe we’d be better off making people think that we do have time for them. Because we do. If we’re following the example of Jesus, we do.

• Have you ever felt the need to apologize when asking for someone’s time?
• Do you think the job of pastor gets put in a different category? Should it?
• Do you think busyness is a badge of honor in our culture? Should it be?

Leave a comment and share your thoughts.