What would be the typical day of a staff pastor at the world's largest church? I had already spent many days with staff pastors in America. Now I determined to document the day in the life of a YFGC staff pastor. For a staff pastor to accompany and observe, I chose Kisuk Hong.

I had known Pastor Hong since he was appointed a deacon and cell leader in the church, diligent in his evening seminary classes. We had often talked, discussing everything from his wife and son to his desire to go into full-time ministry. Since he was now a YFGC staff pastor, I asked permission to go with him during a typical day. His English was limited, as was my Korean, but we always managed to communicate.

OUR DAY BEGINS

Our day starts as I meet Pastor Hong in his district office at the church. Thirteen grey desks line three sides of the spacious office. At each desk sits a staff pastor, busy writing or preparing for the coming day. Maps, charts, and written goals cover the walls. "Pretend that I don't know anything about the church or what you do," I ask the middle-aged minister. "Please tell me everything you think an outsider should know about what you as a staff pastor do."

In halting English, Pastor Hong explains how YFGC divided the city of Seoul into 23 geographical districts. Each district has a large office in the church; an appointed ordained minister serves as district pastor, and oversees the pastoral staff in that area. Several sub-districts are in each district, with a sub-district pastor over each sub-district. The staff pastors at each of the thirteen desks in this district office, like Pastor Hong himself, are sub-district pastors.

I notice a chart above Pastor Hong's desk. This chart lists the 18 lay section leaders who help Pastor Hong oversee the 121 cell leaders in his ministry area. Another nearby chart documents 1,911 church members in his particular sub-district. (1)
 

ESTABLISH REGULAR SCHEDULES
 

Pastor Hong explains his regular schedule. Tuesday through Saturday, he arrives at the church by 8:30 A.M. Twice a week, the entire pastoral staff meets for devotions and prayer. The other days, they pray that first hour in their district offices.

Most staff pastors leave the church office by 10:00 A.M., to begin a day of home and business ministry visits. The earliest Pastor Hong completes a day of visitation is at 5:30 P.M., usually after making 5 to 7 ministry visits. At least one day a week, his visits extend into the evening in order to minister to working men in their homes.

Monday is "family day," his only day off, when Pastor Hong rests with his wife and son from an active Sunday schedule. Once a month, he accompanies other staff pastors, lay leaders, and members from his district to their district's three-hour prayer and fasting service at Prayer Mountain.

As we talk, Pastor Hong completes his written report of visits he made the day before. He turns to give the report to his district pastor, who often goes on visitation with him.

Eighteen black notebooks line one side of Pastor Hong's desk--one for each of the sections under his oversight, with a separate page of information on each family and home cell group in that section.

This is the annual time for "Grand Home Visitation", when pastors systematically make ministry visits to each church member in his or her home or business. Pastor Hong picks the notebooks for the two sections we will visit that day, places them in his briefcase, and we are off to our first visit.
 

UTILIZE THE IMPORTANT SECTION LEADER
 

I ask several questions as we ride in Pastor Hong's car, careful to record each point. Pastor Hong shares that he plans his schedule a month in advance. He spends one day a month with each of his lay "middle management" section leaders: on Tuesdays he meets with one lay section leader, on Wednesdays with another, on Thursdays with a third, and so forth until he has gone on visitation with each of his 18 lay section leaders during that month. But on this day we will be with two section leaders.

Pastor Hong explains that he meets each day's section leader at the first designated home by 10:30 A.M. Since the lay section leader best knows the cell leaders of that area, and is aware which church members were most in need of ministry, the section leader is responsible to arrange the appointments for the day; Pastor Hong's job is to minister. If the section leader has a full-time job, he or she arranges to be with the sub-district pastor one day a month. "Section leader very important," Pastor Hong insists.
 

SET A PATTERN OF MINISTRY
 

The first home we visit is modest. Section Leader Uhm, the "middle management" lay leader who cares for the cell leaders and members in that area, greets Pastor Hong and directs him to the living room. He sits beside Senior Deaconess Kim, an older lay leader who often accompanies him in visitation. This practice of taking a grandmotherly lay leader keeps male staff pastors above reproach, especially when they visit women at home alone.

The next two hours we visit four more homes. The lady in the first home is discouraged in her Christian walk. A five-year-old boy in the second home is in need of prayer. A young mother and her infant son are the focus of ministry in the third home. Those gathered in the fourth home are greatly encouraged by Pastor Hong's exhortation from Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
 
 

STAFF PASTOR'S TYPICAL WEEKLY SCHEDULE MONDAY -- "Family Day" the only full free day  TUESDAY -- 8:30 A.M. devotions with entire pastoral staff; spends remainder of day (at least until 5:30 P.M.) in ministry visitation  WEDNESDAY -- 8:30 A.M. hour of prayer with staff pastors in his district office; spends remainder of day in visitation unless one of a handful in district office during 2, 5 and 7 P.M. worship services  THURSDAY -- 8:30 A.M. hour of prayer with staff pastors in his district office; spends remainder of day in visitation; at least one evening each week will visit until 8 or 9 P.M., to visit men who work late  FRIDAY -- 8:30 A.M. devotions with entire pastoral staff; spends remainder of day (at least until 5:30 P.M.) in ministry visitation; usually will try to nap before coming to the all-night prayer service  SATURDAY -- 8:30 A.M. hour of prayer with staff pastors in his district office; spends remainder of day in visitation unless one of a handful in district office during 2 and 5 P.M. worship services  SUNDAY -- Expected to be in his district office from 7 A.M. to 9 P.M., the span of worship services. Will take time to join one worship service, and to eat. Otherwise, is in district office to pray and counsel with people, especially between worship services.

Section Leader Uhm and Senior Deaconess Kim accompany Pastor Hong to each home, and listen attentatively to every word he speaks. Whether he counsels or preaches a mini-sermon, they mark their Bibles and take notes.

The set pattern of ministry in each home is much the same: Pastor Hong sits down with his accompanying lay leaders, and all bow their heads in a minute of silent prayer. Pastor Hong then opens his black book on that section, turns to the page on that specific family, and asks a few questions to update recorded information. Through this questioning process, he discovers an area of concern or struggle that needs ministry. Then he asks the senior deaconess to pray.

During her prayer, he quietly turns in his Bible to find the most appropriate passage. After the prayer ends, he asks the targeted person to read the selected passage. The next ten minutes he exhorts that person with the Word of God. Each visitation service concludes with a prayer of blessing for that person, family, and home.

As I watch in the fourth home, I write some of my own insights in a notebook: "When pastors preach on Sunday, they bring the light of God's Word to a congregation. But when a pastor shares the Word in a ministry visit, knowing the specific situation of that individual or family, it is more like concentrated laser light. One ministry visit seems worth a year of sermons."

When that visit ends, Pastor Hong says farewell to Section Leader Uhm. The senior deaconess and I get in the car with Pastor Hong for a ten-minute ride to the next section.
 

LEAD MONTHLY SECTIONAL MEETINGS
 

The fifth home this day is different. It is a larger house, able to seat all the cell leaders from that section. Pastor Hong meets that new area's "middle management" section leader, and they speak briefly. Soon he begins a monthly sectional service, held in a home for all the cell leaders and any desirous participants from that section. Since there are 18 sections in his sub-district, Pastor Hong conducts 18 of these meetings each month.

Musical strains of "Power in the Blood" fill the room as we join to sing the beloved hymn. Then Pastor Hong leads those gathered in concert prayer for specific needs.

In his sermon Pastor Hong emphasizes the importance of persistent patience in ministering to others. Pastor Hong's text is James 5:10-11, "Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and see what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

After prayer, cell leaders bring in two tables of food. Lunch is festive as cell leaders share how God has been helping and blessing them. Two women describe a specific problem to Pastor Hong. He spends ten minutes counseling and praying with them.
 

MAINTAIN A CONTINUAL POSTURE OF MINISTRY
 

The next homes are within walking distance. The section leader of that community then leads Pastor Hong, Senior Deaconess Kim, and myself to nine more visits, all to church members in that area.

In one visit we hold a dedicatory blessing service over a new noodle restaurant before it opens for business. In three visits we pray for sick believers eager for healing. Two visits are to welcome members who had recently moved from other areas of the city. Pastor Hong then visits a tailor shop whose owner serves as that area's men's cell group leader, and encourages him in his Christian walk. We make another brief visit to a family struggling with limited finances.

By the fourteenth and final visit of the day, nine hours after our visits began, my notebook has only room for one more entry: "There is a continuous posture of ministry in this home visitation," I write. "Two things impress me. First, Pastor Hong flows with a quiet but powerful spiritual gift. In each visit he quickly discerns the heart of a situation. He knows the exact Scripture to turn to, and what word or piece of wisdom to give. Most respond by nodding their heads. Some respond by crying. Others sigh in relief. All value his closing prayers of blessing.

"A second important thing," I continue in the space remaining, "is these lay leaders that go with him. They hang on every word, often making notes and outlines of his mini-sermons. It is as if they plan to share with others what he has said. Sometimes he turns and gives instruction about how they are to follow up in ministering to a specific person. They take this entire process quite seriously. Perhaps it is because he takes ministry so seriously."

After that final visit ends, I say good-night to Pastor Hong, and journey to my room to ponder the day's events. I begin to consider the month before, when I had spent a day with a staff pastor at a church in America. My day had been much different with this more typical staff pastor than today had been with Pastor Hong. I had talked with the other staff pastor about his daily administration of several church programs--including his oversight of the men's ministry, new singles' ministry, and the monthly senior citizen's meeting--and his frustration with a growing schedule of pastoral counseling.

They are so different, I thought, Pastor Hong and that other staff pastor. Soon only one question fills my thoughts: How would one compare today's typical staff pastor with the YFGC staff pastor?
 

THE DIFFERENCE IN ACTIVITY
 

Most obvious is their difference in activity. During the week the typical staff pastor administrates various programs or departments, making several telephone calls, and doing a limited amount of counseling in the church office. Most staff pastors teach a Sunday school or Bible study class once or twice a week, sometimes training the lay leaders in their respective programs. By contrast, Pastor Hong and YFGC staff pastors spend four and one half days each week making home and business ministry visits. During most days a staff pastor visits 5-7 home or businesses; during Grand Home Visitation he visits about 10 homes a day. In each visit he preaches a different mini-sermon or devotional to correspond with specific concerns. During most days of visitation, staff pastors officiate at major birthday parties or go with lay leaders to requesting businesses, for a service of dedication and prayer. One observant Westerner said, "A minister with a 'preaching itch' would love to serve on this staff."
 

THE DIFFERENCE OF MINISTRY LOCATION
 

Another difference is the location of where they serve and minister. The typical staff pastor spends most of his time in the church office, administrating and counseling, usually teaching or preaching in the church facilities. By contrast the YFGC staff pastor spends most of his time with his lay leaders, ministering in homes and businesses.

There are only three occasions a YFGC staff pastor will be found in the church office: about 90 minutes in the morning, when he starts his day with an hour of prayer and devotions, and completes his written report from visitation done the day before; during worship services on Wednesday; and from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. during Sunday worship services. Before and during the multiple worship services on Wednesday and Sunday, cell and section lay leaders check in with their staff pastors. Anyone may come for prayer and counseling with a staff pastor during these times. A limited pastoral staff is also present during the Saturday afternoon services.

Korean pastors who visit Western countries bemoan the lack of personal ministry given to church members. I was talking with one Korean pastor in America, formerly on YFGC's pastoral staff, who pastored a Korean congregation in New Orleans. In frustration he turned to me and said: "I do not understand these American pastors. All day long they sit in their offices. Why don't they go to people's homes and minister? What's wrong with them?"
 

THE DIFFERENCE OF EXPECTATION AND ASSUMPTION
 

These two type staff pastors also differ both in what they expect of themselves, and in what others expect of them. Typical churches expect staff pastors to be able administrators in the office. Their programs and departments require planning and preparation--often including weekly classroom teaching and training--with the assumption that these programs and departments will result in ministry to participating individuals.

By contrast, YFGC expects a staff pastor to be a servant with solution to daily difficulties; in each home and business visited he is expected to have a Scripture or word that reflects God's mind in that situation. Ministry, he assumes, often occurs one person or one family at a time.

YFGC also expects each staff pastor to serve as a ministering model, accompanied on each ministry visit by a lay leader. This accompanying lay leader is the one who plans the visits for that day, freeing the staff pastor from that aspect of administration and setup, allowing him to focus on ministry to those he visits.

Three other benefits come from having a lay accompaniment. First, by taking a lay leader from the area with him, the staff pastor shows that he acknowledges and respects the lay leaders in that area. This leads to a mutual respect that builds unity in the church.

Second, it keeps the staff pastor above suspicion. If a male staff pastor is visiting a female, he will take at least one older female lay leader, like a senior deaconess, with him. This prevents any real or rumored misconduct.

Third, and most importantly, taking a lay leader allows the staff pastor to model ministry in the field. Not only does the staff pastor minister to the person whose home or business he visits, but he also uses that situation to model to the lay leader how ministry should be done. Often that same accompanying lay leader will follow up on the family or person visited.

When a staff pastor administrates in the church office, and preaches from a pulpit or podium, he is modeling specific behavior. Laymen often make the reasonable assumption that "real" ministry only occurs when one is in the office, or teaching or preaching behind a pulpit.

When a pastor goes into a home to pray, talk, and minister the Word to a person, that behavior expands the definition of "real" ministry. Home and business visitation is a ministry that the layperson can continue, allowing people to minister directly to others.
 

THE DIFFERENCE IN PRAYER
 

Another marked difference in these type staff pastors is seen in their prayer lives. The prayer life of the typical staff pastor is based on that individual's decision. Some have a consistent time for daily private prayer; others do not. In most staff meetings, prayer usually has just an opening and closing function. Another factor enters in: it is more abstract, and therefore less challenging, to pray for departments and programs than it is to pray for specific people.

By contrast, Dr. Cho mandates that YFGC staff pastors pray three hours daily. YFGC staff pastors spend the first hour of each working day in corporate prayer, as well as spending a daily average of an hour and one half in private prayer.

Dr. C. Peter Wagner, professor of church growth at Fuller Theological seminary, surveyed more than 500 American pastors from a variety of backgrounds. His discovery: American pastors spend an average of 22 minutes each day in prayer. (3) In another survey he conducted, he found that Korean pastors spend an average of one and one-half hours a day in prayer. (4)

Wagner further observed in America that Pentecostal/ charismatic churches have outgrown other traditions "by leaps and bounds." His survey disclosed that while liberal pastors pray an average of 18 minutes a day, evangelical pastors pray an average of 17 minutes a day, and Pentecostal/charismatic pastors pray an average of 46 minutes per day. Wagner asks the question: "Could it be that because the pastors of those churches set aside more than twice the amount of time for daily prayer than do the pastors of slower-growing churches have anything to do with their vigorous rate of growth?" (5)

One fact observable by any who have spent time in Korea is that Korean pastors do pray more. But the other reality is this: because of direct personal involvement in people's lives through home visitation, and the responsibility to model ministry to the dozens of lay leaders working with them--Korean pastors have more to pray about. The typical YFGC staff pastor oversees more than 15 lay section leaders, about 100 cell groups, and up to 2,000 people. Wouldn't you pray more?
 

THE DIFFERENCE IN STANCE AND RESULT
 

But perhaps the most marked difference between these two type staff pastors concerns their overall stance and related results. The overall stance of the typical staff pastor is fairly passive. He is to administrate attractive and need-meeting events and programs, usually in the church facilities, to which others are to invited to come. The result of this staff pastor's overall stance and work: sporadic growth and maintenance.

By contrast, the overall stance of the YFGC staff pastor is aggressive. Accompanied by lay leaders, he ministers in the homes and businesses of the communities. While he does spend limited time at the church building, his main emphasis is on ministry in the marketplace, where people live and work. The result of the YFGC staff pastor's overall stance and ministry: continual growth.
 

Footnotes:
(1) At this time Pastor Kisuk Hong served as a sub-district pastor. He now serves in the church as a district pastor, overseeing and daily visiting with a multiple staff of sub-district pastors.
(2) For each visit, this daily report includes: the name of that person's home cell leader; the name of the person or family visited; the phone number of that person; the purpose of the visit; which lay leader(s) accompanied the staff pastor on the visit; the time at the beginning and end of the visit; the mini-sermon title or topic, with the Bible passage shared; any type of literature given to that person or family.
(3) Peter Wagner. Praying for Your Pastor (Regal Books, 1992), p. 61.
(4) Ibid., p. 62.
(5) Ibid., pp. 74-75.

Church Growth Today
Vol. 9, No. 3 & No. 4

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