On Being Paid
It is an interesting thing, in the priest-ing business, that many people think I only work on Sundays.
If you are one of Those People, listen closely--I work every day. I get a day off, thanks to God's requirement of Sabbath (and to the unions of years past), but I work during the week. Full-time. More than full-time, sometimes.
When I hear someone wondering what priests do all day I want to ask them to shadow me for a day. What do I do all day? What do I not do?
Paperwork, for one thing. Sometimes filling out Official Diocesean Forms in Triplicate but more often making paper--that's right, I kill trees. I write content for youth and young adult fliers, then design them, print them, fold them, stuff them in envelopes, address and stamp them. Before all that, I spend time in meetings, on the phone, sending emails and IMs to determine what the content of those mailings will be and, more importantly, why. I call people. Sometimes they're in crisis--spouse left me, mother/father/aunt/dog died, daughter/son is a teenager (say no more). Sometimes it's just to chat--how's yer life, you seen Serenity yet, what do you think about the new church building?
And, yes, I do play computer games. There's only so much office work I can stand.
And sometimes I get to go out into the world and do ministry (or just see the sun shine).
And, oh, yes, I teach Church School, run youth programs, lead worship, sing in a band, and preach from time to time.
What does all this have to do with being paid?
I love it.
I can't believe I get paid to do what I do.
There must be a God.
If you are one of Those People, listen closely--I work every day. I get a day off, thanks to God's requirement of Sabbath (and to the unions of years past), but I work during the week. Full-time. More than full-time, sometimes.
When I hear someone wondering what priests do all day I want to ask them to shadow me for a day. What do I do all day? What do I not do?
Paperwork, for one thing. Sometimes filling out Official Diocesean Forms in Triplicate but more often making paper--that's right, I kill trees. I write content for youth and young adult fliers, then design them, print them, fold them, stuff them in envelopes, address and stamp them. Before all that, I spend time in meetings, on the phone, sending emails and IMs to determine what the content of those mailings will be and, more importantly, why. I call people. Sometimes they're in crisis--spouse left me, mother/father/aunt/dog died, daughter/son is a teenager (say no more). Sometimes it's just to chat--how's yer life, you seen Serenity yet, what do you think about the new church building?
And, yes, I do play computer games. There's only so much office work I can stand.
And sometimes I get to go out into the world and do ministry (or just see the sun shine).
And, oh, yes, I teach Church School, run youth programs, lead worship, sing in a band, and preach from time to time.
What does all this have to do with being paid?
I love it.
I can't believe I get paid to do what I do.
There must be a God.