Oh for Heaven's sake - I do work more than one day a week

my week What is work?

The ministry is not an ordinary job, with set hours. The result of this is that many ministers do too much. But I have never lost the sense that it's a great privilege to be set apart - and paid! - to communicate God's truth and to try to minister to my fellow human beings.

What was your first job?

Delivering Reader's Digest in the north of Edinburgh - where all subscribers either lived in top flats or had ferocious dogs? During my student years, I also worked in a woollen mill, a laundry, department-stores, an office, a wholesale warehouse and the post office.

What did your mum and dad do?

My dad was a clerk in the animal foodstuffs department of a large milling company. My mum was a housewife.

What is your greatest difficulty at work?

Thinking up answers to questions like, "What is your greatest difficulty at work?" But seriously, I suppose the greatest difficulty is in getting people to think spiritually in this materialistic world. So many people today have dismissed Christianity without giving it any serious thought.

How do you stay motivated?

I try to keep my sights on the main thing. When I was a boy, I became a member of the Crusaders Union, which has as its motto the phrase from Hebrews 12:2 - "Looking to Jesus".

Having such an attitude is the only way I know to keep motivated for the work of the ministry.

Is goal-setting important?

I am a member of a Board of the Church of Scotland which has the stated goal of helping people to "hear clearly the gospel of Jesus Christ, see the life of His Spirit among His people and come to know the love of God the Father".

I don't set targets - having to have so many converts by a certain date - but the great goal is that others should become disciples of Christ, and grow in grace. It's good to aim high.

Are you a workaholic?

I work hard, but I am not addicted to work. I love my work.

Do you perform well under pressure?

Yes. Two major sermons every week, plus other addresses to give and meetings to convene - not to mention articles to write for the press! It's taxing, but I thrive on it.

Do you have a secretary/PA?

The word is spelt w-i-f-e Are you a good boss/employee?

My assistant has just left for a charge of his own - ask him whether I'm a good boss. Mostly, ministers are left to get on with things by themselves.

Do you e-mail and surf the internet?

I don't have much time for surfing, but I find e-mail a great boon. Thanks to one of our elders, our congregation now has its own web-site.

What's in your briefcase?

Train timetable, diary, whistle for youth club games, reams of minutes of committee meetings.

What single change would you make to your working week?

Reduce the number of people who makes cracks about ministers only working one day a week.

Have you ever been sacked?

Whatever my congregation may wish, the answer is no.

What would make you leave your job?

The second coming.

Do you think talent gets to the top in Scotland?

Ministers have no "top", because we seek to follow a "servant king" who "calls us now to follow Him".

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