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Is Your Job Description Unreasonable?

Orginally published on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 3:59 AM
by Todd Rhoades

Nancy Beach, the Arts Director at Willow Creek has a (fairly) new blog. She recently posted on some things she is hearing about some church arts people (in particular) that have near impossible job descriptions. She writes...

“I’ve been hearing lately from several people in worship/arts ministry leadership roles who have unbelievable job descriptions.  The expectations for some leaders in this role are beyond what any person could handle well.  I have heard of those who are not only leading the arts ministry, but also are expected to lead an entire other area such as the high school youth ministry or church administration.  Recognizing that all churches – including ours – have limited resources, I still have to believe that somewhere along the line we must use common sense and determine how much a person can handle and still lead a joyful, Spirit-filled, healthy life.  The statistics for burn-out in worship/arts ministry are not good.  We are losing too many great men and women who simply can’t bear the burden any longer.  On top of unreasonable job descriptions, most arts leaders don’t earn enough money from the church to adequately support a family, causing even further stress.”

You can read her entire post here at her blog...

She brings up a fewpoints that I’d like your input on.  And I don’t think we need to keep this discussion only in the arts area of the church.

1.  Is your job description, as it stands, ‘doable’ for one person?
2.  Does your current job description allow you to lead a ‘joyful, Spirit-filled, healthy life?
3.  Does your current job description pay you enough money to alleviate the financial stress of supporting your family?

Feel free to elaborate on any of these three questions…

I look forward to hearing your response!

PS—Many of you are readers, but have never posted.  This might be one that you’d like to post on.  (You can always do so anonymously).


This post has been viewed 1118 times so far.


  There are 4 Comments:

  • Posted by eric wright
    Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 8:44 AM

    I have always received very vague job descriptions. They are vague because the pastor/church can put whatever they want into the meaning. Then there is that always present last line: “And all other duties as deemed necessary by the pastor.”

  • Posted by
    Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 8:58 AM

    Your job description as a pastor is not, imho, supposed to be “doable by one person”. You are supposed to equip others to do the work with you. When I look at my job description with that in mind, it’s do-able.

  • Posted by Dave Longstreth
    Monday, June 11, 2007 at 8:50 AM

    i agree with peter, when i look at my job description it is to lead and equip others as well...i would say yes to all 3 questions - and we also have the “anything that the boss says to do” line in our description.

  • Posted by myPond
    Sunday, June 17, 2007 at 4:46 PM

    The first hurdle to jump is getting folks to perceive arts ministry as a “real” job. A top quality arts ministry that is effective and NOT cheesy takes a tremendous amount of talent, creativity and perseverence. It’s one of the most high-exposure positions in the church in this age - and must be led by a qualified professional who is paid appropriately AND given the necessary staff and resources with which to operate.

    A half-baked attempt at a church arts ministry is simply not worth the effort.

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