The 90/10 Principle

Benjamin Glaser

An interesting part of pastoral ministry that I’ve come to embrace in my now fifteen years in the pulpit is what I’ve termed the 90/10 Principle. We’ve all heard the idea of the 80/20 in the church, that 20% of the people do 80% of the work (though in some congregations that number may be higher or lower depending on the hospitality quotient). This thesis follows a similar pattern of thought. In this case it is that for the minister 90% of his life is taken up with the care and concern of the members of the church he serves, while approximately 10% of the individual church member’s life is involved with the pastor or the congregation where they have their own membership. It’s helpful sometimes to meditate on what goes on in the background to help better serve and positively reinforce what happens in the foreground.

Let’s first think a little bit about the expectations both pastor and church have for one another. It is a common trope that seminarians imagine these grand conversations they’ll have about esoteric theological questions as they lead deep discoveries into God’s word through preaching and teaching. While I am sure that takes place somewhere it is not the common experience of most of us in the real world. When I was in boot camp at Parris Island, through infantry training at Camp Geiger, and even during MOS school we would often hear tales of the Fleet Marine Corps. It was this mythic landscape that us green jarheads were looking forward to be subjected to when we received our orders to our first duty station. In some ways it met those ideas, but in other more substantial ways it never did live up to this picture we had made up in our head. Yes, it had its moments, but for the most part it was like having a real job, just with fancy uniforms, manning combat mops on Thursdays, and PT three or four days a week. Some of us kind of were let down by it, but other things we did more than made up for it and it turned into the best four years of my life in many ways. Full Metal Jacket it was not, neither was it Stripes either.

When it comes to life in the ministry this can follow a similar pattern. Seminary for all its good parts doesn’t do a great job preparing you for real life in the fleet so to speak. Attempts are made to remedy this by requiring internships and the like. However, these often end up being a cheap way for churches to have a youth pastor. As important and vital as that work is it is not the normal experience of being a solo minister in a congregation where you are the staff. Too many times I’ve seen young guys who do internships at large multi-hundred member congregations die on the vine because they’ve never had to unclog a toilet or write an evening sermon in a hospital room because there isn’t a pastor of visitation to do it, because that’s your job. Maintaining competency for morning and evening worship, bible study, and Sabbath School all the while checking in on every member on the rolls takes a different kind of mindset. It’s central to the picture of ministry Jesus taught His disciples. Servanthood takes sacrifice and it takes effort.

Pastoral work is not for the lazy or the easily overwhelmed.

Which brings us back to the 90/10 Principle. Another part of pastoral ministry worth noting at this point is the toll it can take on a man’s family. An understanding and supportive wife is a non-negotiable here. There are some similarities between being a first responder/military spouse and living with a minister. He’s going to get called out, and he’s going to go if he’s serious about his labors, and he’s going to miss stuff. Now, to be fair too many pastors use this as a means of getting out of doing things around the house. Sometimes a text/FB message/call is sufficient. Do the dishes and sweep the hallway when you get a chance. It makes a big difference. Yet the pastor at home is still the pastor at the church. His mind is going to be constantly dwelling on the spiritual, physical, and mental needs of the sheep under his charge, again, if he means what he says on Sunday. Walking around with that can take a toll on someone. It’s part of the reason why men and women need to be praying for their pastors. Alcoholism and substance abuse are an unspoken (until it isn’t) danger in the ministry for a reason. Often this happens for one of two reasons, either the minister thinks he’s Moses in the Wilderness, got to take care of everything himself, or he is daily failing to take his own advice in regard to the need of resting in Christ.

Being spiritually unprepared leads to destruction. What’s the best way to force a minister to not take those kinds of risks? Well, in the Presbyterian church every pastor needs a Jethro. Somone with the gumption to slap him upside the head with the 2x4 of the Holy Spirit and inform him there was only one person able to bear that weight, and He needed the third person of the Trinity, so why do you think you are capable of it? Liverpool Football Club is famous for using the Gerry and Pacemakers song You’ll Never Walk Alone as a rallying cry. It is a keen reminder that all of the Merseysiders are with the men on the pitch. In the ARP, and in the Bible we get these ideas from, the Elders in the local congregation are specially tasked with watching over and protecting the shepherd from himself, by prayer, by intercession, but also by not leaving all the tasks of guiding the flock to him. A well-ordered church makes light work by the labors of many hands.

Lots of ideas have been spread around in this essay for Seventeen82. If I’m going to leave you with anything it is this idea that often your pastor is carrying around other people’s burdens that he cannot, for many good and godly reasons, share with you. He’s not keeping secrets, silently waiting to weaponize them for control and power (at least he shouldn’t be). There is a part of the calling of Christian ministry that must be done in the silence of the prayer closet. If your pastor is anything like me most of his supplications are cried out in the chamber in his empty head. Being in constant contact with the Lord as the needs of a local congregation get cycled around in the grey matter needs kept in mind (no pun intended) when thinking about how to support the one God has laid to oversee your soul. This is not to make it seem like more than it is, but it’s not to downplay it either. 90% of his life is taken up with what may be 10% of yours. This dichotomy, as they say, comes with the territory and it is part of the reason why Paul tells Timothy that it is good that not many seek to be overseers (1 Tim. 3:1). Don’t think you have a call, unless you do.

In closing, the realities of life are not often fun to talk about. It’s why we use euphemisms for everything. Being open and honest provides opportunity for the devil to strike. Take what is said here for what it is worth. But know your pastor loves you, cares for you, and prays for you, at least he does if he’s worth his salt. Fake and false ministers do more damage to the church of Jesus Christ than Satan himself. If this describes you Mr. Pastor? Flee from the wrath to come. However, for those of you faithfully, quietly serving, remember what Jesus said. Come unto me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.

Blessings in Christ,

Rev. Benjamin Glaser

Pastor, Bethany ARP Church