I've known many hardworking, diligent, proactive pastors... these men earn their pay and then some.

But I'd be lying if I denied knowing more than a few lazy pastors who basically sit around reading - sometimes studying, sometimes just novels - sometimes watching their kids (because their wife works outside the home) - sometimes watching their grandkids.... outsourcing all their counseling, etc.... and then telling the congregation about how hard their job is and how much they "labor over their souls."

Sorry pastors on this board... I know there are diligent ministers, but I've personally known too many lazy ones to just presume that a minister is earning his keep. (I'm sorry, spending a few hours collecting anecdotes and copying sermon points from other preachers to deliver a 30 minute sermon once a week doesn't, in my mind, warrant the ridiculous salaries I've seen.)

Anyway, If I was in a church I'd want the pastor held accountable for how he spends his time.

But then again, I'm writing as one who goes above and beyond in the execution of his ministry sometimes causing great personal and familial hardship in a field in which many of my peer "ministers" look at me like I'm crazy for doing so.

There's people who whine about being busy because they're weak and/or poor time managers... and then there's people who are busy.

__________________
Ben
Chaplain, US Army
Ft. Riley, KS
TE Ohio Valley Presbytery, PCA