Is anyone being helped by any of this, or are we just venting? ("blog rage”?)

Is anyone learning anything as they read over the responses? Are you seeing your situation differently? Anyone growing thru this? Have we helped anyone discover God @ work?

Just wondering.

Man, I feel SO strongly what you’re talking about.  I thought I was reading my own words.  Don’t let anyone minimize your struggles or make ‘em out to be your fault.  There have been so many times in my ministry during the past year that I have begged God to let me move on, yet he has done some powerful work in me and through me.  It’s really incredible how many unhealthy churches there are.  Take courage, my brother.  I’ve been encouraged so many times that I will not be in the desert forever.  If you are seeking Jesus Christ with all your heart (and I don’t doubt that you are), there are certainly better days ahead.  That’s just as much a reminder to me as you.  I certainly know others who have come out the other side stronger and really able to be used by Jesus.  He really is amazing.

P.S. Do whatever you need to do to find a healthy community to keep you going!  Don’t let a dead church kill YOUR faith.

Erik, there is an old saying: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.”

I am where many of these other ministers have been or are going through. I have the “real” job and it is just that—a job. However, what you call a real job is not, it is simply a temporal job with temporal satifaction. On the other hand, Christian Ministry is a real job because it is the only job that has eternal implications, and I cannot think of anything more fulfilling than serving God and his church in a REAL job.

To all of you out there who are going through a dry period in you call, know that I am here with you and do not want to be anywhere else. I have spent the past several months seeking what God wants to change in my life so that I can be prepared to serve in my next ministry position. Every time I have felt down and ready to quit, God has spoken through his word, in a time of prayer, though a sermon, or through a friend and has given me just what I needed at that moment. I take it one day at a time knowing it is about God’s timing and his glory.

Perry:

>>Christian Ministry is a real job because it is the only job that has eternal implications, and I cannot think of anything more fulfilling than serving God and his church in a REAL job.

I realize this is a rebuttal to an earlier comment, and I don’t want to start a war, but...The ONLY job with eternal implications? That doesn’t give much hope to the millions of Christians out there in the workforce, does it? I think this mindset (and I used to have it) causes “non-ministry” people to believe that they have no influence and/or calling to do anything outside of the church--and what if there is no place for them in a church currently (like so many on this blog today)? Does that mean that God will not use them, along with their God-given gifts and talents, to do great things? No! I believe God has a calling (perhaps multi-faceted) for each of us and it’s not necessarily all going to take place within a church staff or religious organization--how could that possibly happen anyway? There are tons of Christians out there witnessing and ministering to those that need it within their areas of ability and talent--as lawyers, doctors, receptionists, carpenters, medical students… There are definite eternal implications in the workforce if one will be obedient and submitted to God’s will. Now, if you are fortunate enough to be able to work in a church staff with a pleasant environment, that is great--seriously. But for the rest of the population, there is still much work to be done, and with very real “eternal implications”.
I have to believe this is true, because, although I very much want to work in the church b/c I feel comfortable there and love to lead worship, etc., it currently is not working out as anything more than a 15-hour-a-week internship. I am dealing with the disappointment and struggling with waiting to see what God has for me if it’s not this, and I’m realizing that I cannot limit myself to only this one area--"I must work at THIS church or else..."--or else what?? What if it doesn’t work out? Will I just not work? Obviously that’s not right. But I cannot and will not condemn myself for trying to get a “real job” in the secular workforce--because I may just have to. And it will be all right. God will use you and me wherever He puts us, whether it be in a church office or in a mail room…

Thank you all for your encouraging words. All your letters have been good medicine for me. For years I have been facing this same issue and this morning the Lord told me to be strong and have courage - like Gideon. So, I stepped out on faith, and took action (put in another resume). I now feel like God can steer my ship now that it’s moving again! You are a blessing!

Excuse me, I do not desire to be offensive and if this rubs against tradition and your experience I am sorry, but the closer we get to His appearing the closer we get to the time when “His bride will make herself ready”.  He is coming after a bride that is spotless and without blemish.  This discussion in itself is unimpeachable testiomony that we still have a long way to go.  What it will take for us to “get real” with our life in Christ and realize that His calling us to Him is a call to become literal Bond Slaves to Jesus, and our service to our Lord and King cannot and should not EVER be categorized as “A JOB” at all! I commend those who are willing to recognize that ministry takes place in the market place as much as it does in the House of God.  We need desperately to understand that Pastors, Prophets, Teachers, Apostles and Evangelists are not and never will be “POSITIONS” in the Church.  They are “FUNCTIONS”! Any true Ministry that ever takes place in the name of Jesus is a ministry that originates with the Father and is brought forth by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Himself never did anything but what he saw His Father in Heaven doing.  He was empoered by the anointing of the Holy Spirit to accomplish all He did.  That empowerment has been given to us now as His Body. For us to turn that which can only happen coming from Father and carried out in Jesus by the Holy Spirit into a “VOCATION” is not only sadly ludicrous but, in fact, impossible.  I am not saying no ministry takes place through vessels who are in an employed position as a Pastor etc.  but I am saying having such a position in no way suggests what a person is doing is ever ministry and our Father has nowhere authorized or suggested that we should ever pursue such. It is 100% TRADITION...and a hard one to break at that. I am as guilty as anyone of walking it out that way...Bible College and Seminary trained and 30 plus years of paid vocational “ministry????” I say these things not to judge you, others or even myself...but just to recognize the TRUTH...and hopefully posture myself before the Lord in this PARADOX of Christian service that is other world focused but very much this world controlled and influenced.
God HELP US ALL

wow! i am amazed but not shocked that others have shared my pain. just 4 the record, the “nameless youth pastor” blog is a team effort by a handfull of youth pastors who need a place to be honest but are afraid to b honest w/ our names and locations.

it was written @ about the lowest point 4 me over the past few months of looking for a new ministry after “the Lord’s leading” to leave the last ministry. (you know that’s christianese 4 being fired but thatz 2 blunt for church leaders to say in front of the church)

i hope to pop back in l8r

The last time I found myself in the painful circumstances you folks have shared concerning your calling and frustration with the Church, The Lord spoke one verse to me and it consumed me for months.  I’d like to offer it to you and just chew up the meat and spit out the fat.  If it fits...cool if not...pass on it.
“‘He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster,’ Proverbs 18:9.”

Slothful means to be slack or idle, “to be despondent, or to withdraw, to desert or quit.” When I get rejected, I usually just disappear, if not in the natural then for sure in the spirit. Many times I’ve prayed for thicker skin, but the Lord keeps telling me that “thicker skin means less responsive.”
The Lord reminded me that “offense” means “stumbling block” or “an occasion to fall.” Jesus was a stumbling block for many (Isaiah 8:14), so if I’m offended by someone it might just be Jesus (the truth) I’m stumbling over.

Work—this is my favorite subject as I feel myself a hard worker. Turns out that the Proverb writer was not talking about labor. “Work” means “duty-ship” or “ministry.” It can mean the activity of work or the fruit of your labor. It basically means someone’s call. So now Proverbs 18:9 starts with, “He that quits his call or ministry...”
The Lord reminded me of King David fleeing his call when his son Absalom made an advance for the throne (see 2 Sam.15:13-29). I’ve often wondered why David gave up something he had been anointed to do. He was clearly a warrior so he wasn’t afraid. Possibly he was afraid of confrontation, but there are many Scriptures showing him confronting and challenging his men. The Lord would ask you, “Why do you flee from your position when challenged?”
There is only one answer to a question the Lord asks and that is the truth. The truth is I flee because I never believed in my heart I was competent enough to do the work of my calling. David felt the same as do many truly called people in ministry.

So this is the obvious answer: God does not call people to a place or position because they are competent or capable, but because He wills it. If He has called me, then He will equip me (Hebrews13:20-21).

The “great waster” seemed like an interesting thing to say so I looked it up. It means to destroy or to ruin by pulling down. It goes on to say this pulling down can kill others and eventually pull down an entire community. The word “wicked” popped up in there too. Now this simple Scripture could be paraphrased as, “He that quits his call is brother to one who pulls down others to the extent of destroying an entire community.”

All my rejection issues started passing before my eyes when I knew I was brother to one who could destroy a community. If one soldier leaves his post during war time, the enemy will most assuredly come in that open door. It doesn’t matter if he has a legitimate reason for leaving or not.

I know I could be spreading a lot of condemnation right now with this, but if this is happening to you and you feel convicted by what this is saying, turn around somehow. Get in touch with God and find out what you are called to and find out if you are running from it. Even if there are great hindrances in the way of getting right with someone who has wounded you, don’t give up the call on your life. Being accepted or rejected has nothing to do with the call God has placed on any life. Since the gifts and callings are without repentance (Romans 11:29), how then can any of us make a decision to quit based on the rejection of others?

Let me just say that my prayers go out to all of Gods Children on the battle field. This has happend to the best of us sooo !! What do you do when you don’t know what to do? God has the answer “Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

After reading through the blogs so far, I’ve found myself on this emotional roller coaster. One blog will really encourage me and another will disgust me.

Yes, it’s awesome to know that my family is not the only ones going through what we’re facing, nor do I wish what we’re facing on anyone else in the world. Getting to the point of losing everything is definitely not a ride for anyone with sanity.

However, I want to be perfectly clear on something. I have been called of God to proclaim the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, both in the pulpit and out. I know without question that I am called to pastor and lead other christians to a better and deeper relationship with Christ. I also know that I am called to help the unsaved come to know Christ in salvation in whatever way God chooses.

Yes, leading others to Christ is critically important and I’m humbled to say that I’ve been allowed to lead people to Christ both in the church and out of the church.

But the call is not just to the unsaved but to the church; to teach worship, discipleship and the empowerment of God to help each believer submit to God’s call in their own lives.

I am called of God and I will never surrender that call. I will never bow to pressure to give up one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever been privileged to have - to preach the good news of Jesus Christ, both in and out of the pulpit.

I may have hit some really tough, hard, difficult, make you want to puke kind of days. But my call is sure. And no one will ever convince me otherwise.

Should God will it, I will be back in the pulpit again and will renew a preaching/pastoral ministry that will be vibrant and alive. Yes, I’ve come through a ton of junk (bankruptcy) and have had to learn some really hard and demanding lessons that I could only have learned in this down time. But God has been faithful, and when I stand before him I won’t hear him say how awesome I was, or how great I used my gifts and talents or even how wonderful it was for me to have his love. He will say “welcome because you were faithful; faithful over the little things (even though they seem giganto right now)”.

(Sorry this is so long but I had to write it for myself if for no one else)

I noticed some of you being concerned that no spiritual growth is taking place from these posts.  The problem is that pastors don’t have anywhere to go to release their frustrations, because they will be seen as un-spiritual.  Please don’t try to turn this into another place where the mask has to be put on and the heart continues to hurt.  Yes, we sometimes say things we shouldn’t...yes, sometimes our attitudes need adjusted, but I find it refreshing to know there is at least a place where people can let the hurt and pain go.

Ron,

Please forgive me for causing you to somehow think I was not trying to comfort the hurting people on this site. The exact opposite is my heart.  I know this pain far too well from my own hurts. I actually do not and never will have “too much time” on my hands to share what I believe the Lord would have me share with “hurting people.” I also just want you to know “Bro”, that I was not “preaching”, I was confessing my own failures in this arena and trying to encourage others toward healing.  But, because I have been a source of offense here, I will immediately cease from offering anything else in the future. Be blessed, be free, be strong.

Jim

Still I would like to hear practical solutions to the resolving door mentality of pastors and how to help them. I know of some resources out there; but other ideas welcomed as well.