Pastoral tasks cover an astonishing array of duties, including spiritual, emotional, financial, organizational, and so much more.
In many lists of pastoral duties, the writer often concentrates on surface tasks—organizing the never-ending to-do list without going crazy. But beneath the tasks we need a healthy foundation.
In this article, which first appeared as a stream on X (there’s a link to it at the end) Eric Hoke takes a quick walk through nine tasks that provide a foundation for healthy ministry—and healthy ministers.
—Karl Vaters
If you’re a pastor and ever need to explain what you do, bookmark this. It’s my go-to.
1. Empathy
As a minister, I worked with people through some of their most challenging situations and circumstances. This taught me to meet people “where they are” and without judgment.
2. Self-Regulation
Leading people through the lens of their spiritual development can be highly stressful and this line of work is known to lead to burnout. I learned to manage my emotions well, and work in a sustainable manner.
3. Self-awareness
Being in a position of religious authority taught me about power dynamics and the weight of my own words and actions. As a result, I have an astute sense of myself and how others perceive me.
4. Cultural Agility
Religious communities welcome people of all differences, and as a result, I learned how to embrace and appreciate different backgrounds.
5. Change Management
Leading a congregation through COVID-19 was a massive test of navigating unprecedented change. This experience and other massive changes have taught me how to lead through unknowns.
6. Fundraising
The congregation that I founded was funded through the generosity of individuals, organizations and grants. Being a minister has taught me how to raise and manage funds, and work with a board of trustees.
7. Recruiting And Staffing
Throughout my career as a minister, I have recruited, interviewed, onboarded, and off-boarded dozens of staff and volunteers. This has taught me best practices in finding and developing talent.
8. Communication
The core skill of any ministry professional is communication. Preaching is just the beginning, leading staff meetings, writing copy and having tough one-on-one conversations have helped sharpen my communication skills and abilities.
9. Prioritization And Time Management
From 2016 to 2023, I was a bivocational pastor, which meant I worked a full time job in addition to leading a congregation. This taught me how to empower staff and focus on the highest priority items in my day.
You can read Eric’s original post on X, here.
(Photo by Kristina Alexanderson | Flickr)
