mso - I think most of us would never have embarked on it as a career if we had the slightest idea what it entailed. In fact, during the selection process (for me, in 1985/86) we were told more than once "If there is anything else you can do, do it". It is also a fact that none of us are really great at doing the whole thing. For me, my primary "gift" is as a teacher and preacher - fortunately I have some good people who have much more of a pastoral heart than I do and they make sure my shortcomings are covered.
However, the thing that gets a lot of people is the management aspect of it. It is something like being the CEO (and sole paid employee) of a small business - complete with all the worries about buildings, budgets, and so on. Fortunately, I was an administration manager in industry for 8 years before I took this up and so I brought a lot of transferable skills, not least that I am a certified accountant among other things. It is a matter, I think, of using such skills and talents as you have, and allowing other and better people to fill the gaps.
In the end though it really is mostly like being a kind of father to a big extended family. The Catholics maybe have it right with the term 'father' - you love them as best you can and to your delight and surprise you discover that (mostly!) they love you back.
I wouldn't change a day of it.
Mike
However, the thing that gets a lot of people is the management aspect of it. It is something like being the CEO (and sole paid employee) of a small business - complete with all the worries about buildings, budgets, and so on. Fortunately, I was an administration manager in industry for 8 years before I took this up and so I brought a lot of transferable skills, not least that I am a certified accountant among other things. It is a matter, I think, of using such skills and talents as you have, and allowing other and better people to fill the gaps.
In the end though it really is mostly like being a kind of father to a big extended family. The Catholics maybe have it right with the term 'father' - you love them as best you can and to your delight and surprise you discover that (mostly!) they love you back.
I wouldn't change a day of it.
Mike
