The preaching task alone would be quite formidable even if the other responsibilities were not present. Sermons are expected to be relevant, original, scholarly, properly organized, varied, accurate, rooted in tradition, contemporary, challenging, inspiring, enthusiastically presented and comforting. And this is to specify only a few of the standard requirements! The pastor is expected to be generally available to his constituents for all matter of concerns, but still spend adequate time alone in
Page 12