Research nerds, rise up. If you haven’t already, hurry along and read the full research report of the Canadian Multivocational Ministry Project. It’s a great study that helps name many dynamics of multivocational ministry.1 There’s plenty to unpack in the report but for today I’m going to stick to a list that comes early in the report. They provide a list of all the other jobs clergy have. Get ready for this delight.

I’ve only really ever known small churches. And I mean actually small churches, like 20 or less people. I love these churches. To me, 100 people in worship feels huge. I’m typically not bothered by worship attendance numbers because I know the value in a little church.

Key word: typically.

Praise for the multiplicity, praise for living complex lives.

When I was in high school I was part of the exceptionally nerdy Academic Decathlon team. I never did quite get the hang of the economics tests or memorize enough history facts, but there was one event I consistently loved and did well in. That event was impromptu speech.

I feel the pressure in my life for everything to be purposeful. There must be a goal or gain. If I have limited hours to work for the church I must make them worthwhile. I better be prioritizing my higher paying hourly jobs. Be cleverer, make do with less, and above all, don’t let people know if it’s hard. In summary, the message I hear is make it count.

What I loved about this service is how when it came time for the laying on of hands, where ordained clergy are often invited forward to join in, the bulletin had some very specific instructions. All faith leaders were welcome it said. You do not have to be robed or dressed up to participate it said. Join no matter your religious tradition it said. And so, I got to participate, in my “normal” clothes, being able to sit with my spouse, being able to look just like me, and that was enough.

More than a set system, I’m an advocate for any time of accountability. This could be self-imposed or shared with others. Writing it down tends to be enough for me.

As I’ve been finishing my taxes it gave me a chance to do a money review. Last I checked, I received income this year from at least five distinct sources. I was going to say let’s not talk about my taxes, but the whole point of this is to do the opposite. I’m deep in the waters of gig economy and I want to drag you there with me.

But you know, my official church work will only be 30 hours max this week. And then, there’s a week after. Do you think I’m going to be still hustling the week after Easter? No way! I’m going to be working in my garden.

I don’t return all messages from my parishioners within the day. Sometimes, it takes me a bit to respond.

I was returning one such call after a couple days had passed. My congregant, after confessing that they do call at weird hours from time to time, said, “I don’t know what part of part-time is part of time you’re working.” To which I quickly responded, “I don’t always know either!”

It’s the best week of the year—it’s freshly tuned piano week.

What fleeting joys! The clarity of the notes, each key aligned. I love that I have a piano tuner that will text and schedule an appointment, making even the administration of the event simple. Something about the piano makes the financial part of my brain shut down. Would I pay double, triple for the service? If the tuner asked, I would pay up, no questions asked.

It’s a 45 degree day in Ohio in March and the world feels infinite.

I often tell people that my emotional range tends to be pretty middling. My highs are an 8/10 and lows 3/10. It makes me an excellent pairing to the enthusiastic. When I feel the edges of my experiences as I have this past week, when my highs are high and my lows are very low, I feel disoriented from myself. Where is the in-between ease?

You know the look. You’re just enjoying yourself, scoping out the buffet table, eyeing up the desserts and someone is really trying to catch your eye. You know why—someone has to get this party started.

That someone is you.

Fellow pastors unite in the singular experience of being called upon to pray before a group meal. More than weddings, funerals, or anything in-between, I think I am called upon most in my pastoral role to offer a simple blessing of food. Let it be known, I am ready to do this at a moments notice. I can be in a complete group of strangers and feel my the hairs on my head tingle, knowing somewhere, someone has just spoken the words: Ask her, she’s a pastor.

I had a sense that my jobs might be underpaid, but the expectation in the white church spaces I inhabited as a white person myself was that ministry was a full-time vocation that was able to cover your expenses fully.

To this I say, be careful of superficial fixes to systemic problems. Do you need Marie Kondo or 12 weeks paid parental leave? Do you need inbox zero, or for your job to be appropriately scaled?