Thinking I have made a SERIOUS mistake in my ministry Career...

[evangelist6589]

A friend of mine whom came from the same background and whom never went to seminary or even got a BA in Church Ministry is know working in a church teaching kids. The difference between him and me is that he decided to get involved at larger churches that have opportunities, and that he decided not to work or ever take a job that would take him away from church ministry. He got his degrees in teaching and has many more thousands of debts than I do, but 8 years later after we both went to a certain college, he is working in a church and I am not. I get to do street evangelism and the like, but its usually just me and my spouse. Have I made a serios life mistake?

I would like to attend a larger church with more opportunities up my alley, but my spouse is madly in love with the small church we attend. Not many opportunities there for me, unless I want to get involved in nursery or VBS, which are areas where I am mot gifted. What should I do? At BJU they had PLENTY of opportunities for service and in far more areas than VBS and children's ministry. Going there introduced me to street evangelism and I had a team of like-minded students and we went out each friday and hit the streets. I did not find this attending a small tiny Baptist Church.

 

[Winman]

A friend of mine whom came from the same background and whom never went to seminary or even got a BA in Church Ministry is know working in a church teaching kids. The difference between him and me is that he decided to get involved at larger churches that have opportunities, and that he decided not to work or ever take a job that would take him away from church ministry. He got his degrees in teaching and has many more thousands of debts than I do, but 8 years later after we both went to a certain college, he is working in a church and I am not. I get to do street evangelism and the like, but its usually just me and my spouse. Have I made a serios life mistake?

I would like to attend a larger church with more opportunities up my alley, but my spouse is madly in love with the small church we attend. Not many opportunities there for me, unless I want to get involved in nursery or VBS, which are areas where I am mot gifted. What should I do? At BJU they had PLENTY of opportunities for service and in far more areas than VBS and children's ministry. Going there introduced me to street evangelism and I had a team of like-minded students and we went out each friday and hit the streets. I did not find this attending a small tiny Baptist Church.

First, you need to be patient. Right now, you need to get a good job so you can provide for your family and start paying off your debts. That is going to take awhile. Serve in your church any way you can, be an usher if necessary. You can continue your street preaching on your own. Perhaps in time there will be an opening where you can teach a Sunday School class. Be faithful and opportunities will open up.

Just be steady and plod ahead.

 

[Salty]

...my spouse is madly in love with the small church we attend. ---- What should I do? ...

What does the LORD want you to do? I trust you wife is fully committed to the Lord, and if so - lshe should be willing to go whereever you are sent.

I have a friend on this board. His wife had a very good job. He had an opportunity to take a church some 1500 miles away. That would mean she would have to give up her job. Well, she did and I understand they are a blessing in the new church.

Yes, it may be hard to leave a church for various reasons - but look at Abraham, look at Paul, look at Moses - they all followed Gods leading. Look at Jonah - oh thats another story....

 

[Aaron]

Your mistake was going into debt. Your friend made the same mistake, however, he is exacerbating his situation by following the money.

God's will for you is to work off your debt. You will learn more and better things than your friend will.

They also serve who only stand and wait. —John Milton
​

 

[ktn4eg]

In the same spirit as the previous posts, call to mind Joseph (Gen. 39 ff).

Joseph did what he could wherever he was and let the rest up to God.

Ultimately, things seemed to have turned out OK for him and his family; namely because he chose to let the Lord take leadership of his life.

"...I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." -- Phil. 4:11b

 

[padredurand]

RE: your thread title. Ministry is not a career. You might want to start there in your thinking. You either follow God's call and claim on your life or you have a career. Choose one.

 

[evangelist6589]

First, you need to be patient. Right now, you need to get a good job so you can provide for your family and start paying off your debts. That is going to take awhile. Serve in your church any way you can, be an usher if necessary. You can continue your street preaching on your own. Perhaps in time there will be an opening where you can teach a Sunday School class. Be faithful and opportunities will open up.

Just be steady and plod ahead.

Very wise advice I thank you. All the replies have been wise. It gets discouraging at times.... I would be happy teaching SS, or even getting to teach know and again. At my past church I got to preach in the nursing home once a month or so and I was happy doing that. New church has no such ministry, so my ministry is on my own on the streets. Pay off my debts?? I just pay what I can.

 

[Aaron]

Pay off my debts??

Yes. That's what God wants you to focus on. You can't serve Him and money.

 

[salzer mtn]

Continue to pray concerning your situation but be aware that you must also pay attention to Providence and be mindful when you pray, is the Lord leading you by His Spirit to pray for certain things or is your prayers dry as a bone.

 

[evangelist6589]

Yes. That's what God wants you to focus on. You can't serve Him and money.

When He provides a income allowing me to do that then I will. Since He has not, I can only pay what I can.

 

[evangelist6589]

Continue to pray concerning your situation but be aware that you must also pay attention to Providence and be mindful when you pray, is the Lord leading you by His Spirit to pray for certain things or is your prayers dry as a bone.

They feel dry....

 

[evangelist6589]

RE: your thread title. Ministry is not a career. You might want to start there in your thinking. You either follow God's call and claim on your life or you have a career. Choose one.

Ministry is a life.

Someone recommended I read a book by Mac called Found Gods Will. Its a small booklet.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

RE: your thread title. Ministry is not a career. You might want to start there in your thinking. You either follow God's call and claim on your life or you have a career. Choose one.

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN :thumbsup:

 

[preacher4truth]

A friend of mine whom came from the same background and whom never went to seminary or even got a BA in Church Ministry is know working in a church teaching kids. The difference between him and me is that he decided to get involved at larger churches that have opportunities, and that he decided not to work or ever take a job that would take him away from church ministry. He got his degrees in teaching and has many more thousands of debts than I do, but 8 years later after we both went to a certain college, he is working in a church and I am not. I get to do street evangelism and the like, but its usually just me and my spouse. Have I made a serios life mistake?

I would like to attend a larger church with more opportunities up my alley, but my spouse is madly in love with the small church we attend. Not many opportunities there for me, unless I want to get involved in nursery or VBS, which are areas where I am mot gifted. What should I do? At BJU they had PLENTY of opportunities for service and in far more areas than VBS and children's ministry. Going there introduced me to street evangelism and I had a team of like-minded students and we went out each friday and hit the streets. I did not find this attending a small tiny Baptist Church.

Career or calling? All along you've been content to claim yourself as being where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing, talking down about 'sinners on the job', condemning many preachers, condemning many church's, and excusing yourself for being responsible for many of your actions, all the while rejecting much advice on BB given to you by many wise servants.

Now you are looking at another person, and see they have 'advanced' beyond 'you' and you feel you've 'made a mistake'?

Come on.

This is nothing more than envy and you adopting the worlds interpretation of success.

It would be a total shock to see you actually humble yourself and listen to this or anyone else's advice.

 

[evangelist6589]

Career or calling? All along you've been content to claim yourself as being where you are supposed to be, doing what you are supposed to be doing, talking down about 'sinners on the job', condemning many preachers, condemning many church's, and excusing yourself for being responsible for many of your actions, all the while rejecting much advice on BB given to you by many wise servants.

Now you are looking at another person, and see they have 'advanced' beyond 'you' and you feel you've 'made a mistake'?

Come on.

This is nothing more than envy and you adopting the worlds interpretation of success.

It would be a total shock to see you actually humble yourself and listen to this or anyone else's advice.

WinMan had a far better tone and has much more to say than you.

 

[exscentric]

1 Cor. 4:2 is the requirement not the work or the results .. just do as He leads and be faithful.

I know many that have desired to minister, have done what they were allowed by situation and continued on for years .. God knows your desires as well as His own for you.