Okay, pastors. What is your best guess as to where our profession is ranked in a list of 200 jobs in America? Towards the top? Middle? The bottom?
CareerCast.com ranked 200 jobs from best to worst based on five criteria: physical demands,
work environment, income, stress and hiring outlook. To compile its list, the firm primarily
used data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other government agencies.
The best job? Software engineer. Worst? Coming in at 200 is lumberjack. Clergy come in near the middle at 92, right behind funeral director at 90. But we're ahead of security guard at 117 and flight attendant at 175.
In another report I read that clergy have the fourth toughest job. President of the U.S. was the toughest.
All this is to say that pastors are very aware of the difficult parts of our jobs. Let me invite the pastors reading this to comment on the toughest parts of their jobs. Pastors have a hard time talking openly about this because for us it is a calling from God, affirmed by the Church. Some of us have embraced this calling without question from day one. Others of us have struggled with the calling like Jacob wrestling with the angel. Sometimes this calling can mask inner feelings of inadequacy, hidden resentments, or being unappreciated.
Let me also invite the laity to comment on your perceptions of the hardest parts of the job done by clergy. Perhaps you might send your pastor a note of encouragement acknowledging the difficulties your pastor faces.
If you want to see the full list check out this link. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303772904577336230132805276.html
Grace and peace,
Dave
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