This

is a true story, not a "pastor tale." A pastor in Ohio went

to the home for Alzheimer's patients to visit an elderly church member.

After greeting her, he said, "Lillie, do you know who I am?"

She

paused for a few moments and concentrated, trying to mouth the words.

The pastor said, "Take your time, I know you know me. Who am I?"

Her

mouth began to form the word she finally spoke, "You're pastor .

. ."

"That's

right," said the pastor, "do you remember my name?"

She

thought and thought and worked hard to finally say, "Yes, you're

pastor good-for-nothing!" I wonder where she picked that up?

Of

course, that pastor's good for nothing! Why, he only works one day a week!

I've had folks ask me, "What do you do all week?" Good question!

Every

week is different, though all have some similarities. No matter what else

happens, I must to be ready for Sunday. Sermon preparation and prayer

take up most of my mornings. I try to spend the afternoons doing visitation

and administration. I try to visit members and prospects every week, but

it never fails no matter how much ground I cover, there's always someone

I meant to see.

That's

the nature of the ministry. It's never done. There was always one more

phone call I should have made, one more visit I should have completed,

one more task I should have tackled. That's why one pastor commented that

he'd never hire anyone to mow his lawn. That was one task that gave him

a sense of completion.

Here's

an example of one week in my ministry, February 23 ­ March 1.

SUNDAY:

Arrived in time for 9:15 meeting with Sunday School workers to present

plans for the March 16 McDonough Road 500 high attendance day. It was

our turn to prepare breakfast for the youth division (up to 50 people)

and my wife sent the breakfast with me. After the meeting, I stuck my

head in several Sunday School classes and greeted people. A deacon asked

if he could see me for a minute and met in my office for 15 to share a

concern. I went over my message, "Thy Kingdom Come," and made

last-minute adjustments, prayed and went to sanctuary to greet worshippers.

I ate with a Sunday School class meeting for a chili lunch after worship.

I returned home, read two sections of the Sunday paper, and put finishing

touches on my Sunday evening message. I returned to church at 4:15, taught

FAITH learners class at 5 p.m., left early to get to a listening meeting

in sanctuary, preached, and made a FAITH visit to prospects' home. I returned

to church for FAITH reporting time and got home about 9 p.m.

MONDAY:

A church member invited me to attend chapel at Chick-fil-a headquarters

to hear Coach Mark Richt speak. Had picture taken with coach, spoke

to Truett Cathy and greeted another church member and her parents. From

there went I traveled to Piedmont Hospital to see a member and his wife.

The husband was recovering from open heart surgery. I had a phone consultation

with chairman of deacons while traveling home for lunch. I spent the

afternoon in the office, where I met separately with three staff members

on different matters. I mailed a letter to welcome center workers, and

made phone calls while preparing to begin studying for Sunday. After

supper, I travelled to Jones Funeral Home in Newnan to visit a member

upon the death of her brother. Got home at 9 p.m.

TUESDAY:

Arrived at office around 8:20 after taking son to school. Met briefly

with minister of music, then "closed my door" to get some

serious studying underway. Left at 11:30 and went to weekly Fairburn

Baptist ministers' luncheon in Union City for first time in months.

Then I visited in two church members' homes on the west side of Fayette

County until I returned to the office around 4:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY:

Held staff meeting 9-10:30 a.m. Met pastor friend in Jonesboro for lunch

to plan a deacon retreat I'm leading, met a waitress who lives in Fayetteville

and is not attending church, and invited her to church. Phoned church

members, phoned a prospect. Tried to make visitation appointment for

Sunday night. Had phone conference with architect in preparation for

listening meeting Wednesday night concerning a possible building expansion

project. Made hospital visit at Fayette Community, then