The Child and Their Pastor

One Saturday morning, a child arose and sat in front of the television awaiting their favorite cartoon. As they watched the colorful characters dance across the screen, their father started for the door. The child joyfully requested, “Hey dad, can you come watch cartoons with me?” The father simply replied, “A church member needs me, I have to go see them now” as he left.

One Sunday morning, a child arose and got dressed as they always do for church. They headed to the table to eat their breakfast as their father headed for the door. The child joyfully asked, “Hey dad, can you come eat breakfast with me?” The father simply replied, “A church member needs me, I have to meet them at the church before services” as he left.

One Monday morning, a child arose and got dressed and ran to their father’s room and asked, “Hey dad, can I come with you to work today?” The father thought it was a fantastic idea and simply replied, “Sure! I will call your school and make it a bring your child to work day.” They left for the church and the father warned the child that there were many people coming to see him. He needs to be there for his church members. As soon as they arrived, the members began coming to their pastor for counsel and different business for the church. A few hours passed and it seemed that everyone from the church had seen the child’s father. So, the child stood up, walked to the office door and closed it, sat in the chair across from their father and waited. The father was confused and asked his child, “What is going on?” The child simply replied, “I am a church member too and I wanted to spend time with my pastor.”

Being a pastor can be very busy. People are always in your office or you are always prepping for the next big church thing. It is as if the work is never done. Pastors can get caught up so much in their work that their office becomes their home. Pastors often forget that while in the midst of caring for their congregation, that they are supposed to take care of their family first.

I know I have been caught up in my work trying to do so much and realizing that I have spent so much time at the church rather than at home. Pastors, we need to remember to take a break, rest, eat, and most importantly spend time with our families. They are our priority and primary mission field. Do not be like the father from the story.