When I Became a Pastor...

When I became a pastor, I started wearing my pearls on a regular basis and not just for extra special occasions like graduations and weddings.

When I became a pastor, I got a new name, pastora, Pastor Heather, kinda like when I became a teacher and overnight became Ms. Willet.

When I became a pastor, I had to start figuring out how to be transparent (which comes almost naturally to me) without talking about myself too much. People want you to listen and relate, but not share too much how you relate. They don't care how you relate. And I held back at the UMW (United Methodist Women) session of griping about husbands. They asked me to contribute, but I really didn't feel it was appropriate for me to do so.

When I became a pastor, I forgot half my knowledge of the Bible. I knew a lot before seminary, then more during seminary, and now when someone asks me where something is, half the time I preface my answer with "I think" or else say, "lemme go look it up." Of course, I also blame online concordances for this - I don't have to remember as much as I used to, because it is easier to look things up now, except when people put me on the spot.

When I became a pastor, Sunday mornings became all-important. I am, and have to be, ON on Sunday mornings. Ready, on the ball, awake and alert, high energy (at least mentally and spiritually, if not physically). I can't miss Sunday mornings. Unless I'm seriously sick, like last Sunday. And I still didn't feel justified in missing last Sunday until the doctor on Monday told me it was good I did. I can't stay out late Saturday night. I have a bedtime on Saturday night, and it is hard to keep.

When I became a pastor, I became expected to know where everything is in the church. This even happened just yesterday - a lifelong member and active volunteer asked me, who has been here just 7 weeks, where something was.

When I became a pastor, I also became a preacher. In fact, I'm referred to as preacher as often as I'm called pastor, at least in English. This hasn't happened yet at my new church, the senior pastor is referred to as the preacher; my first Sunday preaching here won't be til Sept 25. Regardless, I don't like reducing the role of pastor to preacher. It is so much more than preaching.

When I became a pastor, I started a "job" that is just as fulfilling and important as teaching. For the most part, I like working with people. I like building relationships (which is what teaching is, too - how do you think you get students to learn?!). I like making a difference in people's lives. However, that's not the end goal, that's not why I do it. I'm not a pastor to feel good about myself. I'm not a pastor to change lives; that's God's job. I'm a pastor because God called me to become a pastor and my job is to point to God.