Recently the Christian Science Monitor published its list of 'The 10 Happiest Jobs in America.' Multiple factors came in to play in evaluating job satisfaction.
Coming in at #1, 'Clergy', followed by 'Firefighters, Physical Therapists, Writers and Teachers.'
I would agree with this ranking and here's why:
1. Pastors make a difference in people's lives. We get to see change, often dramatic and usually for the better!
2. Pastors have the rare distinction of being with people at every formative stage of their lives: birth, marriage, kids, during tragedy and at the time of death.
3. Pastors have a source of wisdom that is incomparable to all other forms of wisdom: God's Word.
4. Pastors don't have to be perfect. In fact our effectiveness is directly connected to our authenticity.
5. Pastors have a Boss who knows exactly what it is like to Shepherd others.
Or may be it is because we only work one day a week, and only an hour at that! Or maybe its the, 'Out Of This World' benefits package...
Does it come as a surprise to you that Clergy rank the highest in terms of job satisfaction? Why or why not? Post your comments below!
3 comments:
not surprised at all!
I'm very surprised. There must be so many disappointments. People who you just can't reach, people who leave the church, people in very difficult circumstances that you can't always help. Then there's the stress. Dealing with people who can be very difficult over minor matters. Being so close to sickness and death, having eyes always focused on you and your personal life. And even good things like the new building add a whole new batch of stress and things that need be tended to.
I'm not surprised at all! I think when you find true joy in what you are doing, it's really difficult, if not impossible, to not like/love what you do. I guess it's more about joy then it is about the type of job.
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