This is the landing page for a new blog series that will run on Thursdays. As each post is written it will be linked here.
Working on some content for a new series and I need your help.
Before you were a Rookie Pastor you were a wanna be Rookie Pastor. You were looking for a job, and as I talk with some of you who are currently in that spot finding a ministry job isn’t as easy as you thought it would be.
Churches and non-profits were one of the first sectors to feel the economic downturn and will probably one of the last to feel the benefits of any improvement. Finding a job was hard enough already.
But ministry isn’t just about finding a job, it is about finding the right job. Ministry is more than a job and it encompasses much of your life so you shouldn’t jump at the first thing that comes along without some prayerful consideration.
So as I put together this practical series I want to be sure to tackle some basics about where to look, surviving the interview, red flags to look out for, but I also want to look into the dynamic of considering going back to school, taking a part-time when you need full-time, and how to react when things feel hopeless.
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I love this! As a newly middle school pastor or “minister”, the biggest problem or hump to get over is your vision vs. the board, the Pastor, or elders. Often times as new pastor or minister you are really excited to get started on what God has called you to do. However, sometimes God allows for you to go through what I like to call “the David road to kingship.” All that means is that even though you are destined, called, and appointed to be pastor sometimes you have adhere to others before God gives you complete headship. All that to say this… be ready for difficulties from the board of directors, elders, or even the pastor based on your vision you want to take the church. It can be very frustrating and sometimes leave doubting your call, but hang in there if God has called you, you’ll be fine in the long run.
Timely post, as I am pursuing ministry positions! My hunch is that many wanna-be Rookie Pastor’s are weighed down that they cannot quote every verse in The Bible, or don’t feel comfortable (yet) debating theology with a strong-minded individual.
Having said that, the key component is to focus and listen to God’s calling for your life. If He has called you to be a pastor, then I highly recommend you do just that.
Michael what are you looking for?
What’s your dream job?
Ok, I am just going to be honest and say that I am about to unabashedly pimp my own blog.
There is a book I reviewed a while back called Before You Go that every pastor needs to read:
http://churchthought.com/leadership-reading-list-before-you-go/
I talks about the things you need to ask before going to a new church… the author also wrote about how to know when it is time to leave your current church, which is another great book for pastors to get:
http://churchthought.com/leadership-reading-list-when-to-leave/
Ok, blatant self promotion done.
The only other thing that I would add is that the church job hunting process can be utterly brutal… and incredibly discouraging. As one who tends to be overly optimistic about things I found myself feeling like I had just had the best phone interview ever… only to never hear from the church again. Ever.
If you are searching, realize that churches tend to be pretty bad about following up with you, telling you that they are going in a different direction, or keeping you informed about the process. This is in no way about you… it really is the result of a flawed system.