A lot depends on whether or not the church owns the house. It’s sometimes called a parsonage or a “pastorium”, a term I heard from a Southern minister. Sometimes, too, it depends on the community or even state, I suppose. When I lived in Missouri, some churches did have a parsonage for the pastor, and it was indeed next door, literally steps away. Some houses were a little farther away from the church, but it was still walking distance.

Other churches had a house several blocks away–don’t ask me why. In a lot of other cases, the church didn’t have a special parsonage at all. It just depends on every congregation.

To answer your question, no, it isn’t really that weird. If the pastor is “right there” by the church, he has access to the best of both: he has his home, for rest, meals, and so on. He also has the church building for his office, if need be. I know how important it is to get some quality study time before trying to prepare, let alone preach, a message! Also, when the services are over, the preacher doesn’t have the burden of a drive to another area. I live 50 miles away from the church I pastor and it’s a strain to drive, stay alert, preach and teach a Sunday school lesson, and then try to stay alert enough to get back to my house!

I hope some of this was helpful to you. Good question, by the way.