Yesterday I slept late for the first time in months. The younger child was off sick and I just about managed a whole day off, rather than respond to the urge within me that had meant I felt I should be at a meeting in a different city. When I say just about managed, there were two things which I ended up doing because it meant I wouldn’t be flapping around today and tomorrow trying to fit them in.

There was a little discussion yesterday on another media format about minister’s days off, and when they happened. The traditional pattern of a Monday seems to be disappearing as more people recognise that some of the things that happen on a Sunday can be dealt with the following day and so allow for a decent day of time to self and family. I personally have always preferred a Tuesday, although it tends to move during particular seasons of the year to allow for Bible Studies and acts of worship.

The discussion though had many ministers admit and acknowledge that the reality was that many of them were struggling to take a full day off. Not for belief that they were the only person capable of doing the pastoral care, administration, or leading of groups, but because instead the role involves people and there was a feeling of letting others down when they could not fulfil an obligation.

Whenever someone takes on a new role there is an element of expectation on either side. In a new post whatever the occupation there is usually acknowledgement that commitment will be pretty full on as the effort to work out who people are and what the expectations mean are worked through. Sometimes that means that proper days off slip, and time for self and family becomes a bonus rather than a routine.

A continuing pattern of finding the fine line between parish minister and congregational chaplain haunts many ministers and ministries, The joy of being part of the Church of Scotland is that we have made a commitment to serve the people of Scotland and beyond, and for ministers that does involve being involved in the community. I have always appreciated the line that a church is the one organisation that exists for the benefit of its non-members.

The fine line is managing to find time to be out and about, but also ensure that a congregation feels that its minister has a vague interest in them. Visiting doesn’t have to be done by a minister and many congregations have found ways to use pastoral support groups well in the care of their congregations. However some patterns of belief are hard to break. There continues to be a belief for many congregations that the church does not care if the minister has not visited.

So what does today hold for me. Well looking at the snow, it could be fun. I’ve a baptismal visit to make, then a trip to another church to hand some equipment back; a trip to tidy eyebrows (vain but part of the making sure I look cared for). This afternoon I’ve one visit at least I hope to get to, and then I want to make sure I know what I’m saying and doing this evening. Tomorrow I’ll be school chaplain-ing on two occasions and trying to work through the ever growing list of visits that get put on the back burner when funerals appear. Hopefully the Wild Goose or Heavenly Dove will put in appearance sometime in the next 72 hours and there may be something to say on Sunday.

Feeling hard done to? No, just a little battle weary. Bright and cheery service will be resumed by Sunday.