discipleship | mission | practical theology

Once I had made a move towards ordained ministry I began to take more notice of what the clergy on the staff were doing: funerals, weddings and services. I remember a conversation with the curate about funerals and what is involved once the church received a call from the funeral directors or family. What struck me is not how many times you might need to visit the family, preparing the service including perhaps a eulogy, communicating with the director and perhaps the crematorium and what bereavement follow-up might be appropriate. Rather it was that such a phone call might happen at anytime of the week, day or night.

Getting such a phone call on Monday morning when the diary already has preparing for the APCM on Tuesday evening, being involved in civic ceremonies on Wednesday, a day in the school interviewing for a new head on Thursday, preparing for Sunday services on Friday morning and visiting your parents-in-law in the afternoon, can only mean trouble at home when the children begin to wonder where their Dad is. Getting it on Friday afternoon when you are just settling down to prepare the sermon can only mean something gives that cannot be given!!
The easy conclusion is to start the week with your diary half empty! Is this possible?

What is also apparent is that once you get from behind the computer screen and live as a part of the community in which you are the priest, time becomes a very disposable commodity. Going to the Post Office to buy some stamps can turn into 3 conversations and an hour, for a 10 min walk and job.

Being a person who usually starts their week with their diary full and avoids situations that are likely to take more time than I can spare I have a load of movement to make. But…

But what?
Is the answer to diary in community time, in which you either do the things that come up like funeral visits and visiting the sick? When nothing comes up then there is time to bum around the parish and meet some people doing ordinary things like shopping.

Is the answer to never take on the things that eat up you time, like various committees and groups that inevitably result in more jobs on the to-do-list?

Perhaps then I need a strategy that keeps the diary under control and gets me out into the community. Or a passion that means I can keep my strengths and weakness in the right balance? The strength of getting things done and the weakness of being too goal driven?

This diary discipline, which reflects your calling and ministry, your values and passions, is a major area to submit to the sabbatical principle, the chance to break old habits that are getting you no-where and wearing you down. I have slipped into a place where my diary is in control of me and I must do what ever it takes to make sure that when [and if] I start ministry again, I gain a firm grip on my diary. Keeping a balance of my strengths and weaknesses but allowing my passions to express themselves in a way that is life-giving to myself, my family and the parish.