Early in my career I discovered that some of my colleagues would complain about their jobs and the churches that they served when we were together as a group of clergy. The practice bothered me. I made up my mind that I would avoid speaking negatively about the work I was called to do and the people I served when I was in a gathering of clergy. the practice didn’t cause me to be dishonest about my work. Sure, there were times when being a pastor was a challenge for me. There were things that happened in the churches I served that I wish had not happened. However, for the most part, I didn’t have complaints. I was treated well by the congregations I served. They were filled with good people who tried hard to do the right thing. I was never the victim of abuse by a congregation or its leaders. I did, however, think that some of the complaints I heard from my colleagues were petty. They, too, had the benefit of meaningful work and flexible hours. They also were treated with respect and love.

These days, I spend quite a bit less time in meetings of clergy than earlier in my career. Many of the church gatherings I attend now are mostly lay people with a few clergy. However, I still have plenty of conversations with clergy. When I was an active pastor, I often met with clergy who were older than I. The congregations I served had retired clergy members and the Black Hills of South Dakota were an attractive place for retired clergy. There were plenty of meetings of clergy in South Dakota where retired pastors were the majority. Sometimes there was a lot that I could learn from my colleagues. Sometimes, I wished that our time had been spent wrestling with the challenges of serving congregations instead of telling stories of what used to be.

These days, when I am talking with other clergy, the others are usually younger than I. I try very hard to offer stories of the past only when I find them to be relevant to the challenges and pressures of contemporary pastors. I try to spend more time listening and less time talking.

It bothers me, still, however, when pastors complain about their calling and the congregations they serve.

Recently I was with a few colleagues who we talking about Holy Week. The particular pastors with whom I was talking served congregations that had two or three extra services during Holy Week. That doesn’t seem excessive to me. There were years when I had at least one extra service every day of Holy Week. I didn’t, however, tell my story. I tried to listen instead. One of my colleagues told of an Episcopalian priest who had a lot of extra Holy Week services in the congregation that person served. The response of the colleague with whom I met was to say, “I’m glad I’m not Episcopalian.” Somehow the way the comment was made got me to wondering whether or not the colleague who was telling the story enjoys leading worship. I always did. I found it to be a privilege. I confess that I really miss being in the pulpit each week.

I suppose that there must have been times when I was a younger pastor when I complained about the work of preparing worship services and writing sermons. Looking back, however, I cannot see those experiences as a burden. I feel fortunate to have had the career that I was given. I loved the work that I did. Furthermore, I don’t have it bad now. I am allowed to live near my family and I get to see my grandchildren nearly every day. I get to work with small groups in the church and I get to lead the time with children in worship on a regular basis. I am allowed to teach Bible study classes and plan intergenerational events. I don’t have to deal with the pressures of balancing budgets and enduring long meetings in the same way that was the case when I was the senior minister and head of a church staff.

I wish I could see more of the joy of being a pastor in the lives of my younger colleagues. I don’t know how to take their complaints about the work they do and the congregations they serve. Then again I realize that it isn’t up to me to change their attitude. It isn’t my responsibility to do anything more than listen respectfully. I can do that.

I hope that the dedicated lay volunteers who serve the church have opportunities to see the joys of our calling. I hope that they don’t only hear stories of sacrifice and burnout. Being a worship leader and being called to serve a congregation is a wonderful privilege that leads to a life of joy. Crafting a sermon is a challenge and can involve hard work, but it is work with a lot of rewards. Serving a congregation can be a process of coming face to face with a lot of grief, but grief work is good work and being with those who mourn is an opportunity to learn about the nature of life and develop strength for endurance that carries you through the tough times of life.

My prayer for my younger colleagues is that when they reach the point in their lives where they look back - a place in their careers similar to the place where I find myself - that they can look back with joy and that their memories are of the deep meaning and love found in faithful work. May the complaints they sometimes voice fade into the background of their memories so that the memories of joyful service come to the foreground. May their memories put a smile on their faces and a spring in their step. I know that mine do. I have indeed been blessed by the work to which I was called. I wouldn’t trade the long days and tired nights of a busy career for anything. I don’t remember them as a burden. May they also discover that joy.