Given that the day to day exercise of the pastoral ministry has such an unknown quantity about it, planning ahead may seem to be an exercise in futility. We frequently complain about shortages of time and the stresses arising from unexpected demands which can throw a day into disarray. It takes only one phone call to move you from order to potential chaos. There too often appears to be a basic disregard for even the simplest strategies of ordering one's life. Of all vocations, the pastoral ministry is one which has minimal provision for any accountability of substance.
Most pastors are solo operators.
There is no one looking over the shoulder. Again, unlike most other vocations, many pastors work from the manse given that there is often not a study in the church. Significant numbers of pastors manage to have three meals at home most days. The claim that the ministry has unique pressures attaching to it needs to be balanced up with the way in which so many of our people have to live their lives. Anybody holding down a good job these days is working long hours and carrying heavy responsibilities.