Understanding the Life of a Pastor
Published:Thursday | June 4, 2015 | 11:11 AMTamara Bailey
SPALDING, Manchester:
PASTORS ARE sometimes taken for granted because their work is viewed as 'light'. Others marvel at how easily the job gets done and make increased demands. However, Leighton Hynes, interim pastor of the Spalding District Seventh-day Adventist Churches said pastoral service is no easy task, but his passion for ministry makes it all worth it.
Hynes who also works at the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as a pastor, evangelist and an assistant sports director, admits that the work of the church can take away from one's personal life if one is not careful.
"My busiest day has always been on Sabbaths (Saturday) due to the fact that it is on this day that my congregation worships, and being a pastor of eight congregations, I try my utmost best to see to it that all is well in all the churches while still ensuring my own worship is not hampered."
balance must be struck
During the week, it is no less taxing, as members look to pastors for counselling, mediation and physical support, which become a full-time job, but a balance must be struck.
Hynes told Family and Religion: "As a pastor with an enormous amount of responsibilities, it is very easy to take fun for granted or to see having fun as being non-essential. I make spending quality with my family as my fun, whether it's going out for dinner, heading to the beach or our evening walk, etc.; spending time with family is my fun. It is very easy, while helping other families stay together, to have yours fall apart, so family time is fun and essential for me. I like swimming, playing football, and tennis, but I hardly find time for those," said Hynes.
Having his most difficult task being witness to the withdrawal of fellowship from an individual, the young pastor says the heart-wrenching moment is only made better when souls are rescued from the devil.
"Seeing individuals giving their hearts to Jesus, and witnessing the transforming power of God that has changed criminals into church leaders and nation builders, from menace to mentors, from being served rum glass to serving communion wine is a joy for me," said Hynes.
ultimate goal as a pastor
He added: "My ultimate goal as a pastor is to know God and let him be known. I believe my congregations see me as hardworking, focused, innovative, driven, and a spiritual leader, and I believe my colleagues see me in the same light. However, all I need to know is that they know me as a child of God."
Looking forward to years of ministry and adding little ones to the Hynes clan, the anointed one remains motivated and assured by the word of God.
"My main motivating factors are my love for God, and love for people. Pastoral ministry can be lonely at times, and people tend to overlook pastors as being humans, but if you love God and people, you will always be motivated to serve. I think I am now ready to start adding children to the mix. I love children (and) I think now is the best time to start having my kids, while I have youth on my side," ended a cheerful Hynes.