You are not the first, nor will you be the last, to ask that question! For the most part, pastors tend to be part of the hurry up and wait crowd; working on 'all the things', so that they are ready for unexpected moments in their days. Each denomination or nondenominational community of faith have their own guidelines for how a pastor is to spend time. There are daily activities, as well as weekly, monthly and annual activities. This makes it hard to put things in a nice, neat package with a bow, but we'll see if we can at least get Iowa United Methodist things in a box.

     As an Iowa United Methodist clergyperson comes before the Staff, Pastor, Parish Committee for the first time, along with the District Superintendent, there is an expectation shared that the pastor will be first appointed to the community and next to the church. In OUMC's case, that would include the Riverside Church Association community. This expectation might include eating in local establishments; shopping at local businesses; hanging out at libraries, museums, and theaters; participation in a civic organization; attending school events, as able; making oneself available for community activities and celebrations; just to name a few. Each appointment will have its own community vibe.

     Each community of faith is unique in their pastoral needs, as well as each pastor being unique in their gifts and talents. How those come together is driven by expectations of the church, but also by the amount of time a pastor is appointed to that church. Quarter time (10-12 hours/week), half-time (20-25 hours/week), three quarter-time (30-35 hours/week), and full-time ( 40-50 hours/week) appointments are the standard in the Iowa Conference. At OUMC this covers activities like sermon/worship prep; worship & special services; community engagement; emails, mail, phone calls and texts; engagements with local church boards, teams and committees; media/technology; church finances; education according to needs of church or pastor's gifts/graces/passions -which can be anything from a book to a conference; Circuit ministry (Pastor Kim is Circuit Leader for the Pott County and Friends Circuit); clergy gatherings at local, regional and conference levels; Confirmation; Annual Conference attendance; spiritual formation of self and others; visitation of those who request visitation and prayers for all; funerals; weddings; fulfilling the Conference requirement of being active in one Conference Board or Agency and one District Committee (Pastor Kim is Chair of Conference Parish Development and Registrar for District Committee on Ministry); counseling; and other duties as requested, as the saying goes. This is the reason for a salary versus hourly pay schedule. Some weeks might be smashed and others might be a bit boring (which you never say out loud), but it all evens out over time.

     In the United Methodist tradition, the Iowa Conference also sets the benefits package the pastor will receive, often based on appointment status, years in pastoral ministry, and other such details. Beyond the financial benefits, the Iowa Conference pastoral benefits package includes, after one year of service, and scheduled around required activities; four weeks of vacation, including four Sundays; two weeks of continuing education/spiritual retreat, including two Sundays; two weeks of sick leave, including two Sundays, with more available at the agreement of leadership; bereavement time; up to three months leave every four years for spiritual renewal; and upon local church and Conference approval, a sabbatical of longer time is able to be granted.

     This is not an all-inclusive list, as just when a pastor thinks they have it nailed down, there is a shift in the landscape or a crisis. I encourage you to reach out to myself or a member of the SP PRC with any questions concerning the activities of a given day or time period of your pastor. May all ministry be done to the glory of God!