Comments on: 3 Reasons Youth Pastors Should Have Office Hours

By: Best of 2008: Youth Ministry Tips | Shore Youth Ministry

Best of 2008: Youth Ministry Tips | Shore Youth Ministry — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:06:50 +0000

[...] 3 Reasons Youth Pastors Should Have Office Hours by Josh Griffin [...]

By: Theresa Rae Gay

Theresa Rae Gay — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:45:13 +0000

This has been the best part of my job. I was asked to work in youth ministry full time when I still had little ones at home. Due to my husband’s and my fierce determination to not do daycare, we have convinced the church that I can do youth ministry and be a “stay-at-home mom.” It ruffles feathers occasionally but God gives us the strength to stand up for the rights of our kids.

So, my office hours are when my kids are in school. Presently, that means 8:30 ish to 11:40ish Mon-Thurs. Next year, that means I’ll be in the office 7:30ish to 1ish. Of course I work more than 40 hours, but those are my “office hours.”

Adam hit the nail on the head. Our office staff and phone answering volunteers have said I work part-time. LOVE THAT! I just say, well if you count working 50 hours per week part-time, then you are RIGHT! Or I ask them to volunteer to work a lock-in or trip. Works everytime!

Parents and teens reach me via cell phone for the most part – even when I am in the office. Thank you Lord for text messaging! It is an IBG thing for me but I think it is IBS for the teens.

By: Andy Lawrenson

Andy Lawrenson — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:37:56 +0000

I keep regular office hours. I even give those hours to our parents in our newsletter so they know how to get a hold of me. The hours are “flexible” according to what is going on in the evenings or weekends. I also get comp time for events that take me away from home on the weekends or out of town from my family. I even figured out how to call Monday “Home Office Day” and parents and ministry team people know they can call me at home. I get my most work accomplished in my recliner for some reason.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:41:26 +0000

Pro-office hours? I thought I was the only crazy one who thought having office hours was a good thing. Thanks for your advice.

By: adam

adam — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:59:45 +0000

To be clear your not saying I have to be in the office 9-5 Monday through Friday. Instead set reasonable, non-negotiable hours that you will be in. Like 10-2 Tuesday and Thursday. I’ve also found it to be crucial to communicate the correct thing for the secretary to say. I don’t know where he is or even he’s not here are not helpful. Things like, he was out late with students last night and will be in at 10 or he is on student visitation right now can I take a message. This helps people know you working and not just at home sleeping.