Monday Morning Insights

Photo of Todd
    .

    If I Weren’t a Pastor, I Would…

    Bookmark and Share

    I'm on the plane waiting for take off for Orlando as I'm typing this morning... just a sec before I have to close up shop. So... I thought I'd ask a question that I hope you all will take a moment to respond to... here it is: "If I were not a pastor, I would probably be..." What career track do you think you would have taken if you didn't choose the church vocation? I'd love to hear from many of you (especially you lurkers!). I hope to give you some great updates from the National New Church Conference in Orlando this week. If you are there, be sure to look me up! There's talk of a special bloggers dinner one evening; and Scott Hodge, Chris Elrod, and myself will do a breakout Q&A on blogging on Tuesday. Until then, let's hear it... what would you be doing if you weren't a pastor?

    Comments

    if you want a Globally Recognized Avatar (the images next to your profile) get them here. Once you sign up, they will displayed on any website that supports them.

    1. Pastor Gary on Mon, April 21, 2008

      To be honest I cannot see myself doing anything else other than being a pastor. I wake up many mornings asking God why in the world He has called me to be a pastor. There has to be men that are better suited for such a calling than I, but God has not taken the passion away to lead his people.


      I guess if I was not a pastor, I might have choosen to be a history teacher.

    2. Peter Hamm on Mon, April 21, 2008

      I cheated, I did the other thing first. Worked in Multimedia/Graphic Design/VIdeo/Events for years. If for some reason God made it clear that I wasn’t called to be a pastor, I could happily return to that.


      But that hasn’t happened. I don’t expect it will.

    3. Mike on Mon, April 21, 2008

      There are some days when I couldn’t imagine doing something other than pastoring.  Then, there are other days when I wish I could do anything but be a pastor! 


      I’ve sometimes wondered how much trash collectors make.  At times, our jobs seem similar.  We both have to take other people’s garbage.  However, they have the advantage of not dealing with them face-to-face!


      Seriously, if I wasn’t a pastor, I’d probably work in broadcasting.  I was a radio DJ while I was in high school.

    4. Danny on Mon, April 21, 2008

      If forced to choose a different profession, I’d probably be a police officer or sheriff.  Some days I wish I had chosen that, but really can’t see myself doing anything else than ministry.

    5. Derek on Mon, April 21, 2008

      I would have either been a college professor (teaching philosophy & religion) or I would have gone into law.


      Lawyers are never criticized by those they are trying to help…are they?


      Derek

    6. Brian L. on Mon, April 21, 2008

      Like Peter, I’m a second-career guy.


      Sold office furniture and machines.  Loved it, and still do it part-time.


      I could easily go back to it full-time if God said that my task was over.  Or after certain Sundays…


      Brian L.

    7. kent on Mon, April 21, 2008

      Oher being a pastor - owing a realy cool book store.

    8. Lew on Mon, April 21, 2008

      i’m already doing it.


      the scary thing is: how many pastors don’t have an answer to that question.


      being a pastor is a calling, but it isn’t always a career.


      too many pastors see it as a career and their salary as a God-given right.


      being paid a full salary to be a pastor is a luxury that no one should take for granted.


      it’s like being a professional baseball player. they get paid to do what they love and have fun.

    9. CS on Mon, April 21, 2008

      I heard a preacher talk once about the calling to be a pastor.  He said that if you knew that you could do something other than being a pastor, you probably shouldn’t be a pastor.  What do you guys think about that idea?



      CS

    10. Derek on Mon, April 21, 2008

      CS,


      I ask young people who come to me with a desire for ministry one question, “Is there anything else you can do?” I encourage them to pursue other desires, interests, career goals, etc. To me, a good way to test whether or not you are called to full time ministry is that is is your only option, when in your heart you know there is nothing else you could do.


      I think younger people (High School students & college students) mistake passion for Jesus with a call to full-time ministry. Passion is not the only prerequisite for ministry. Most of these students need to work a good job, raise and godly family and serve in ministry as a faithful volunteer. 


      If God had not called me into the ministry, I would have pursued another interested. But the reality is there is nothing else I could do. The call was (and is) consuming.


      Derek

    11. Peter Hamm on Mon, April 21, 2008

      CS,


      yeah, I’m with Derek, but that advice (which I’ve given on occasion) is a little over-simplified. I was DEFINITELY called into this ministry, but was perfectly happy at and good at my first career. I could have done it for the rest of my working life if need be.


      Sometimes… you just know… And this is key… If you’re married, your spouse knows, too. If you know you’re called and your spouse thinks you’re not, then you aren’t.


      If you’re happy in your current job and feel called into the ministry, I think you should pursue it vigorously. If you’re miserable in your job and feel called, go slowly. Your misery will transfer into your ministry, and nobody wants that.


      Good sidebar discussion! Thanks!

    12. Bill on Mon, April 21, 2008

      I took a break from pastoring and worked for an agency that provided support for people with disabilities living in the community.  I found great satisfaction working with those dealing with mental health issues.  Many of them were looking for help to deal with practical issues and deeper life issues.


      If I were not a pastor, I would be working with people with mental health issues (and, yes, there is a joke in there somewhere).

    13. Derek on Mon, April 21, 2008

      Peter,


      It is certainly an oversimplified question. No doubt. There are people called into full time ministry with multiple talents and desires that they can use in and out of the church.


      I have found the question to work well with 18 and 19 year-old Jesus freaks who want to go into full time ministry, because they love Jesus a whole lot, but haven’t been called by Jesus into full time ministry.


      Simple minds often need simple questions.


      Derek

    14. bishopdave on Mon, April 21, 2008

      I actually tried at one point to get into something else, and the doors just wouldn’t open. But if I could, I guess I would be


      1. career military


      2. I’m still fascinated by how cool it would be to drive a garbage truck, especially the automated kind that pick the cans up.


      3. math or english teacher


      4. monkey trainer


      5. Todd Rhoades’ pool boy

    15. Jonathan on Mon, April 21, 2008

      Besides the shortstop for the NY Yankees?


      I’d probably be a teacher of some kind.  I’d love to teach college students.

    16. Page 1 of 3 pages  1 2 3 >

      Post a Comment

    17. (will not be published)

      Remember my personal information

      Notify me of follow-up comments?

    Sponsors