Week 5 - Hours Worked in Ministry

Adam Fike
Tuesday 2/10

Interviewed – Pastor Mark Deisler on January 28, 2009

1. Study (alone)
8-10 hrs./wk. on sermon
2-3 hrs. Bible Study
Total Study Hours – 10-13 hrs.
2. Administrative/Office (administration, paperwork, computer, etc.)
10-15 hrs.
3. Services (worship, Bible studies, etc.)
Sunday Morning Service – 4 ½ hrs.
Sunday Evening Service – 3 hrs.
Wednesday Evening Service – 2 hrs.
Total Services Hours – 9 ½ hrs.
4. People (meetings, committees)
6-7 hrs.
5. What Else?
Unexpected Drop-ins – 15 min.-3 hrs.
Hospital Emergencies – ½ hr. – full day
Master’s Degree Education – 8-10 hrs./wk.
Total Miscellaneous – 9hrs-32hrs./wk.

Observations
1. I was surprised how much time was spent doing administration work in proportion to sermon preparation and meetings with people. It seems to me that sermon preparation and time spent with people should be greater than administrative work.
2. There are several unexpected and add-on things that Pastor Mark is not expected to do that take up a good chunk of the week. He is working on his Master’s Degree right now, which takes up about one full work day a week.
3. I also was reminded that you have to plan for an emergency every week. A hospital emergency might take anywhere from ½ hour to a full day.