I still remember my first day working at Bridgeway, back in July of 2022. One of the pastors on staff, with a knowing twinkle in his eye, told me that working for a church would be a wild adventure. He characterized it as “fun,” “frustrating,” and “fulfilling.” Three years later, I can confidently say he was telling the absolute truth.
If you’re anything like me, you’d imagine working for a church to be this ethereal, heavenly experience. Visions of walking the halls with tambourines, singing “Hosanna, in the highest!” and spending countless hours on our knees in prayer, right? Um, not quite.
Working for a church, much like any other work environment, comes with its own unique blend of crazy co-workers, non-stop meetings, and the occasional existential crisis about printer paper. Oh, and let’s debunk the biggest misconception right out of the gate: church staff do not only work one day a week. If only! Sunday is merely the grand performance after a week of frantic planning, troubleshooting, and, yes, occasional moments of silent prayer that usually involve asking for the Wi-Fi to cooperate.
Monday? That’s typically spent recovering from Sunday. Tuesday through Friday? These are the moments when the true engine of the church hums to life. For a pastor’s assistant, this period is a focused blend of administrative bedrock, strategic support, and interpersonal engagement. My days involve meticulously managing the pastor’s dynamic calendar, ensuring that meetings and sermon preparation time are all carefully balanced. I also often serve as a crucial liaison, connecting congregants with the right resources or team members – a sort of ministry switchboard operator.
Yet, despite the often hectic reality, working for a church offers a wealth of unexpected blessings. Perhaps the most significant is the profound sense of purpose derived from contributing to a mission-driven organization dedicated to community well-being and spiritual growth. This connection to a larger cause provides a unique sense of job satisfaction and continuous motivation that transcends the routine of daily tasks.
Furthermore, being surrounded by pastors and church leaders offers invaluable exposure to diverse interactions. They constantly engage with individuals from varied backgrounds, address sensitive issues, mediate conflicts, and provide guidance. This environment naturally cultivates skills in active listening, empathetic responses, and the nuanced art of navigating complex interpersonal dynamics. You learn to choose your words carefully, interpret unspoken cues, and build trust—all fundamental to effective communication.
Moreover, collaborating with church leaders provides exposure to strategic planning and organizational development. Churches, regardless of their size, require intricate planning for programs, finances, and outreach initiatives. Working for one offers a unique opportunity to learn about goal setting, resource allocation, and the practical implementation of a vision. You witness firsthand how a clear mission translates into tangible actions and how to mobilize individuals toward shared objectives.
Even with the sometimes-bonkers state of affairs behind the scenes, working for a church offers unparalleled rewards. There’s a genuine connection with a community that often feels like an extended, slightly eccentric family, and the deep satisfaction of knowing your work genuinely makes a difference in people’s lives.
It’s a job where glitches and grace coexist; where spiritual growth is often accompanied by unexpected bursts of joy and laughter; and where every day brings a new opportunity to serve, stumble, and sometimes simply stand back and marvel at the beautiful, bewildering chaos that is church life. So, if you’re ever wondering what it’s truly like, just know it’s probably not what you think. And that’s exactly what makes it such a wild, frustratingly fun, and fulfilling adventure.