Props to you buddy for sticking with it so long!  Sounds to me like you’re already a pro!  There are not many volunteers that do what you do for as long as you’ve done it for free.  Could I double your ministry salary and you come to work for our church?  Just kidding… Years ago I had the same challenge… Upon asking an older and wiser pastor for advice, he said, “Don’t do ministry on a vocational level unless you have to.” I didn’t understand at first but after praying and thinking about it a long time it hit me.  When the desire and the passion can’t be quenched and ministry is the sole driving force during every waking hour, do it!  (with your family’s blessing and cooporation of couse… or you’ll tank!) When God called me to ministry it was through a speaker who asked two simple questions… “If not you, then who? and If not now, when?” Doesn’t sound too profound does it?  But in my life, I’ve asked the same questions a million times when my passion was slacking or my commitment was waining… For me, the choice to go full-time had (and still has) to do with a burning desire to accomplish more for the sake of Christ.  If you pursue vocational ministry, make sure you are wise about it.  Don’t get so wrapped up in the buzz that you fail to honor your family and that you fail to find a ministry that is willing to support the needs financially.  Follow the LORD and let Him direct your path and you’re sure to find whatever answer is right for you!  Godspeed to you my friend. michael

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I do know that my calling is in youth ministry. I had been avoiding it since I was 17 when God called me to it, because I thought I need to do certain things before committing to youth work. Seven plus years ago (at age 38) God convicted me to start helping at my church and the leaders at that time disappeared and I was left alone to make it work.  When I began leading the youth at my church there was no established youth program and no volunteers.  In the first three years of my ministry God tripled the size of our group; it has grown each year since. God has also brought volunteers to model mature Christian values and opened doors for our kids to minister with adults to the church and community. It is my heart’s desire to win kids for Jesus and help them become strong, thinking believers who can reach others. I think our church could do so much more for them, their friends and their families. If I could do it full time instead of as volunteer part time youth minister. I am constantly thinking of ways I can serve them better in the name of Jesus. Pray for my family and me that God will place us where He needs us to be.

Be good and love unconditionally
Rick H.

Thank you my brother!

RHl

Rick, I have found this dialogue to be really cool.  I am 42 and just now moving to another town to go into ministry full time.  God called me to preach when I ws 18 and I’ve done anything and everything else in an attempt to satisfy the longing and tug in my heart.  I’ve done evangelism, music, youth work, counseling, and a ton of secular things with the intent to support someone else in ministry… Nothing ever fit and nothing ever answered the call that I’m convinced God gave me.  It was not until two years ago that I went to fill in for a church for 3 weeks and then wound up staying as the pulpit minister that I’ve ever been certain I was doing what God had called me and equipped me for.  The church has grown and is in the process of building a new facility… they can not afford to hire anyone full time so I am going to another church.  The church I’ve been with has been God’s way of doing several things in my life… it has given me confidence… it has challenged me… it has fueled the fire of my passion to see others come to and be more intimate with Christ… it has reaffirmed my gifts for ministry… and it has created an even deeper longing for serving HIM and serving His people… The option of staying part-time simply wasn’t a consideration for me… I thought my wife would freak out and dig her heels in the dirt, but it turns out she is more excited and willing than I ever dreamed!  There is nothing greater than serving Him.  I am grateful for the opportunity and am committed to do all I can… I truly wish you great success and great blessings… Living by faith is the only place with real security.  Things spiritual don’t always make sense in this world.  If God is calling, you and I have no option do we?  I’m certain there is a place in the work of the kingdom for any and all who will go… Godspeed… michael

I’m in Texas and moving to serve a congregation in Oklahoma.  Both states are really cool about ministers on campus.  All I’ve ever had to do was sign in as a visitor and then was given free access to anyone and everything.  I of course never abused the situation and never crossed any of the “political lines”.  Before I went on campas, I always met with the administration, principle, etc. so there was a familiarity and trust factor from the get-go.  Something you might find amazing is that my new church and the schools in town are both willing to let me do some substitute teaching as the need arises!  The extra bucks won’t hurt and the chance to build relationships with the teachers, students and coaches, etc. will be an awesome thing.  The athletic directer at the hight school is even going to allow me to volunteer as a trainer and assistant in any of the varsity sports I want to!  God is way cool! michael

Thanks for the accountability check Kent. The answer is yes I am married with two kids(ages 8 &1;) and my wife is also my teaching partner in ministry. She also has a fulltime job as an IT professional (computer geek)and we are prayerfully considering her cutting back to be with the kids more. She is my other rock without her I would be in the senior pastor’s office explaining some of the stupid stuff I would’ve said if not for her checking my notes. I know this is my calling God has made it possible for us to be here at this time from, providing for tuition for Bible college to providing for our house we just bought three years ago. If my church does not change their mind and offer me a salary my greatest worrry will be when and how to tell them that we’re leaving and how much will we be hurting the student’s we will be leaving behind. God’s plan is a perfect plan and as we wait for His next move we will serve here and love the students as He loves us. I have my resume already out there so we’ll just wait on God’s timing.

RH

As a volunteer youth pastor myself, I would have to ask you to consider some things before making the move to full-time ministry:

1) You mention your wife wants to cut back from her work to be with the kids more. How will this impact you financially?

2) Changing careers for you may impact you financially. This, along with the reduction in your wife’s income, could be a cause of concern in the future.

3) God comes first, but family is second. How does your wife feel about all of this? Are you willing to move just to be in full-time ministry?

4) Really prayerfully consider your situation and allow God to direct your heart. As it has been stated here several times, if your intention to go into full-time ministry is so you can have more time to be with the students, you may want to re-consider. Not to be negative, but being on staff at a church full-time brings with it another set of obligations. You’ll have meetings to attend, programs to cooridnate, teachings to prepare, recruiting of lay staff, more meetings, etc. You would be submitting yourself to the vision of a senior pastor at another church and may not have the freedom you enjoy now.

5) I would recommend talking to the senior pastor of your home church, if you have not done so. Knowing you’ve been at this for 7 years in lay ministry, he has to appreciate you and may have some insight as to your calling. One of the big things I am trying to do as I go to Bible college and work as a lay youth pastor, is being mentored. I desire to have others that have gone through what I am going through to be available to me for questions, support, guidance, etc. I would highly recommend you initiate this kind of relationship with some others that are in full-time ministry that are going through the same circumstances and thoughts you are going thorugh.

As of this writing, I am sure there are many of us praying for God’s will to be revealed to you, in the hopes that you just don’t set your mind to full-time and take an available opportunity at another church just because it gives you a perception of having more time with the students. God’s speed brother!

Rick,

I’m very familiar with Montgomery county.  Worked in Gaithersburg for about 2 1/2 years.  Very expensive county.  I serve in Southern Maryland and at one time lived in Middletown, MD, for 10 years. 

1) A sign of your calling is to be “caught” doing the Lord’s work.  Timothy was one such disciple whom Paul observed and recruited for the Lord’s work.

2) Talk to your pastor and church.  Sometimes the support begins bivocationally.  You have seven years of proven track record.  In my personal journey, I served as an unpaid volunteer as a youth minister and administrator for a church before going bivocational and then full time.

3) Pray, pray, pray about it. 

For those in high cost living areas, more and more churches are looking within for staff because a lot of folks graduating from seminary can’t afford to live here. 

I also believe you are doing a commendable work as it is with the youth.  The main thing about youth ministry is being available and consistent.

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