Yes, I believe that pastors leaving ministry can be positive and productiveHow can we reframe these keywords: pastors leaving ministry, pastor seeking church, pastor salaries, pastor employment?
A Positive Perspective On Leaving The MinistryIn fact, there are several words and phrases I feel need to be reframed in order to give a positive perspective on church ministry.I'll start with the term "pastors leaving ministry". This term has been used to describe various ministry career changes I made in the past. A pastor who is considering purposeful career options outside a local church assignment will probably hear this phrase, usually by very well meaning church members whose only frame of reference for ministry is a local church.
Is It Possible For A Faithful Servant of God To Leave Ministry?The reason for starting this career focused website was in response to hearing pastors having left the ministry when they pursued a career option outside the local church.I know this is a bold statement, but I think it nearly impossible for a faithful servant of God to leave the ministry! Ken Sande of Peacemaker Ministries in an article entitled article, “Strike the Shepherd”, reports that every month, 1,500 U.S. pastors leave their assignments because of conflict, burnout or moral failure. One study showed that the average seminary graduate spends only 14 years pastoring before changing careers. Now, while it is a tragedy when pastors leave ministry because of moral failure, I do question the entire concept of leaving the ministry as being negative. Pastors Being Forced Out Can Be God's Leadership To A New CareerIn fact, just as some of the greatest companies and corporations came about in response to a pink slip, I honestly feel that some of the greatest ministry accomplishments will be initiated by those experiencing pastoral burnout or pastors being forced out.For example, The great Christian humanitarian ministry World Vision came about because the founder was rejected as a missionary candidate by his denomination. The Apostle Paul often decided to go to the next town in his missionary journeys described in the Book of Acts in the New Testament. For a wide selection of Bibles and Christian books, check out Online Christian Book Resource. Rather than just dwell on the concept that he was forced out, Apostle Paul reframed this as an opportunity to expand ministry to the next assignment. This is what the leadership of God looked like for Apostle Paul -- he would wake up on the ground all bloody, there were stones all around him, and his body was hurting like crazy! It was at that moment he decided to go to the next ministry assignment God had for him. No one enjoys being hurt or forced out, but maybe we need to be more like the Apostle Paul when being run out of town. It was probably the only way God could get his attention to move on to his next ministry assignment. I know that has been true for me. So should you be described as a pastor leaving the ministry, don't be surprised if it is in a whole new career setting, but ministry just the same. To see one's ministry career in this light is the ultimate change career with purpose strategy. Have A Story Describing How What Some Call Leaving The Ministry Was A Positive Experience?
Leaving the ministry is a term often assigned to those whose ministry career setting is outside the local church setting. What Other Visitors Have Shared Putting A Positive Light On Leaving The MinistryClicking on the items below will reveal contributions from other visitors to this page... Extending My Ministry Teaching Degree Expands Ministry I pursued an education degree after having been in the same church for 21 years, overseeing the Children's Ministry ... Concerning Career Change For Pastors Pastor's Heart Cry For An Expanded Ministry My Invitation For Readers to share their story was worded this way: Have A Encouraging Story Describing ...
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