Semper Gumby

One of the more interesting aspects in the life of a pastor is the uncertainty.

I'm one of those guys who likes to make plans. Always have been. In the years when I earned my living in various sales positions I was taught to "Plan your work and work your plan". One sales manager was fond of saying, "If you fail to plan then you plan to fail". These are words of wisdom - generally speaking - but when one is in ministry things don't always turn out as planned. This weekend I had planned to attend an annual conference for pastors, but it didn't work out. One of our church members passed away and plans had to be changed.

True, we spend lots of time planning our ministry activities. Appointment calendars are always at the ready. Convention, Association, and Church functions are entered into those calendars months in advance. Counselling sessions are set up and weddings are scheduled. Looking forward to future evangelistic efforts, mission trips, and key events take up much of our attention as ministers. Planning our preaching is most important. There are special messages to be prepared for special occasions. Sermon preparation takes a lot of time each week, and I always try to look ahead to future subjects or books for particular sermon series projects.

Even with all the planning, one thing pastors learn pretty quickly is that none of it is written in bronze and signed in blood. Things can change, and change quickly. If preaching were all we did it would be pretty simple. But there is a lot more involved in ministry than the things we can plan. The pastor is the "under shepherd" of the flock. The flock has needs. Often those needs arise at inopportune times. My friend, Doug Virgin, often says, "Ministry always comes before meetings", and he's right. Many are the occasions when a pastor's plans have to be changed. Often this has an effect on the pastor's family as well.

Younger pastors are often taken by surprise when they realize that personal plans must take a back seat to the responsibility of ministering to their congregation. People have "unscheduled" accidents and sudden illnesses. Crises of all types can pop up at any time, and certainly death comes among the families of our congregation when we least expect it. Deacons and yokefellows can help the pastor share the load. Sunday School teachers and classmates can and should minister to their friends during time of need. But even with all that, there are times when people just need their pastor.

One of the practical lessons that seminaries must get across to the young preacher is the concept of "Semper Gumby" (translated - "always flexible"). Otherwise it is easy to burn out. I believe the surprises are harder on younger pastors and their families. We older guys and our wives have learned over the years that the call can come any time of the day or night. Regardless of dinner plans or ticketed sporting activities, you may be called away. From time to time, Mom has to pull "single parent duty" when Dad is ministering to a family who may have lost one of their own.

No pastor with a true pastor's heart begrudges those situations which cause plans to change. Sure, there may be some personal disappointment, but there is a peace that comes with knowing you are doing what God called you to do. It's an awesome responsibility. It also presents us with the challenge to effectively juggle home and family responsibilites which are also very important. That is partially why I'm writing this.

When you pray for your pastor (and I hope you often do) pray for his family. Pray for his kids that they will understand when Dad has to miss some activity to be with someone else's hurting family. Pray for his wife who sometimes has too many dinners and evenings alone. Pray that the pastor's time with his family will be quality time that is absolutely special for his wife and kids. Pray that he will stay strong physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

Oh yeah. One other thing. Call your pastor when you truly need him - day or night. He'll gladly come. But pray that the members of the flock will also use good judgment when doing so. When they call him out of bed or away from his family, is should truly be for something that just can't wait till morning.