Many years ago I was playing golf on my day off with a friend. I was literally having the best round of my life. A guy we did not know had joined us for the back nine. After I rolled in a long putt, he looked at my friend and said, “Wow, what does he do?” My friend replied, “He’s a pastor.” To which the man said, “Oh, that explains it. He has a one-day-a-week job.”

I didn’t say anything, but that comment upset me…upset me to the point that I blew up after that. It ruined my best round of golf ever! 

Many people wonder what we do all day. I get that. For example, I don’t know how an engineer spends his time during the day.

What happens at The Ridge on a typical weekday?

Usually I arrive early to the church to train. I often hop on a bike or go for a run as soon as it’s daylight. I’m preparing for my next triathlon. While I’m training, our staff begins to arrive. Some arrive by 7:00 a.m. Most are in the office by about 8:00 a.m.

You’ll find the pastors doing a variety of things. They may be working on the budget, counseling someone about what it looks like to take their next steps with Jesus, planning a teen event, preparing a sermon, editing a video for the services, in a meeting to discuss strategic plans or the next community project we want to engage with, selecting the music for an upcoming service, designing the next stage design, or talking with volunteers about Ridge Kids.

At times, we’re laughing, crying, or praying. We do love to laugh, and we need to, so we don’t take ourselves or ministry too seriously.

The support staff is busy supporting all of the above. They may be updating the website, responding to an email, preparing slides for the services on Sunday, recruiting a volunteer to serve, paying the bills, scheduling a meeting, waking Jerry up from a nap, talking to someone who has come into the office, providing IT help, power washing the building, meeting with a pastor to plan, building the next stage design, signing for a package, or answering the phone.

Sometimes you’ll find the staff hanging around in the evening, for a band rehearsal, a teen event, a baptism class, or a meeting with volunteers. 

Truth be told, there is usually more to do than we can get done. I’ve often said that I’ve never had to watch the clock while being a pastor. Usually I am racing the clock. But we’re okay with that. What we are doing matters! 

Our staff works hard and is second to none! We enjoy each other and what we do (most of the time), because we know that ultimately our time is invested in doing whatever it takes to reach our community for Christ!

Whatever it takes,

Jerry