When It's Time To Go
I was just wondering about full time ministry.. yeah.. talking about working for Church..
How do we treat pastors, church workers who are leaving the "service"?
Be it for valid reasons, unreasonable, frustrations, disagreements?
Do we view them differently? Do we think that once someone joins "full time ministry" they are set for life?
Is there a stigma associated with their life? or the suspicious & inquisitive questions like; "Did he/she have a disagreement with senior pastor?" "Why leave when Church work is serving God, there should not be any discontentment.. after all you're serving God right?" "Maybe church is not paying enough salary"
There's so many things to think about and it's consequences...
Do we even treat working in Church as if we were working outside.
Believe me, work in Church is taxing & even more taxing than working outside. It's because it's like an organisation like no other. The church, serves for the benefit of it's non-believers/members..
The thrust of the Church is to reach out to the needy and share practical love and the good news to them, that there is hope for a hopeless world and situations.
As church members, we feel we should be privileged to gain certain perks in church, but I am constantly being reminded that my focus is meant to be outward not inward.
Whatever we do we serve the body of Christ... the church.. the people of God.. which means everyone, believers and non-believers alike..
So, when a person intends to work for a church, I believe that this is the thrust of their life, and has to have a clear calling and direction from the Lord. And if/when the time to leave comes, it must be a clear calling and timing from God.
Whether the feeling is good or not good (because of what people may say).. there must be a peace and confirmation from God...
Hence, my advice from anyone considering full time work.. seek God first.. His pleasure is our ultimate treasure..
How do we treat pastors, church workers who are leaving the "service"?
Be it for valid reasons, unreasonable, frustrations, disagreements?
Do we view them differently? Do we think that once someone joins "full time ministry" they are set for life?
Is there a stigma associated with their life? or the suspicious & inquisitive questions like; "Did he/she have a disagreement with senior pastor?" "Why leave when Church work is serving God, there should not be any discontentment.. after all you're serving God right?" "Maybe church is not paying enough salary"
There's so many things to think about and it's consequences...
Do we even treat working in Church as if we were working outside.
Believe me, work in Church is taxing & even more taxing than working outside. It's because it's like an organisation like no other. The church, serves for the benefit of it's non-believers/members..
The thrust of the Church is to reach out to the needy and share practical love and the good news to them, that there is hope for a hopeless world and situations.
As church members, we feel we should be privileged to gain certain perks in church, but I am constantly being reminded that my focus is meant to be outward not inward.
Whatever we do we serve the body of Christ... the church.. the people of God.. which means everyone, believers and non-believers alike..
So, when a person intends to work for a church, I believe that this is the thrust of their life, and has to have a clear calling and direction from the Lord. And if/when the time to leave comes, it must be a clear calling and timing from God.
Whether the feeling is good or not good (because of what people may say).. there must be a peace and confirmation from God...
Hence, my advice from anyone considering full time work.. seek God first.. His pleasure is our ultimate treasure..
Labels: A matter of Fact, Faith, Serious Stuff
2 Comments:
At January 06, 2008 1:49 AM,
Anonymous said…
You said it so well. It is indeed God's call when to join and when to leave. His timing is the best! Sometime when it is necessary(not all the time) He does His way to have you join or leave in His time. Conclusion- He is still the One in charge.
At April 12, 2009 1:13 PM,
Just Shelley... said…
Dear Paul, I am just reading this now. You have indeed encapsulated many things and put it forth so well - in a very objective, real, and mature manner. Thank you for this post. I am touched by it.
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