Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate outside the church?
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Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate outsid... - 12/2/2008 8:07:17 PM
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PCDawson
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Joined: 12/2/2008
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Our congregation has been wrestling with a financial shortfall and facing a very significant cut in budget for next year. As part of the elder's plan for dealing with the cuts, they decided to eliminate five staff positions - two part-time and three full-time. My position as Director of Pastoral Care was the only Pastoral Staff position cut... the plan is for other pastors to divide up my former responsibilities.
So, now after six years at this church and twenty-four years in ministry, I am facing the daunting task of a job search and it has me wondering...
How do the skills, gifts, and experiences of congregational ministry translate into work outside of the church? How do our skills in teaching, speaking, counseling, caring, and so on relate to work outside of the congregational setting?
To be somewhat blunt... how does a minister market himself for a career outside of the congregational setting?
Any thoughts?
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/2/2008 8:28:38 PM
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pbaribeault
Posts: 1081
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Social Work?
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/2/2008 9:48:44 PM
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gcsmithjr
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Just curious, have you made a decision not to pursue a similar position in another congregation, or are you just considering your options at this point?
There are a couple of obvious parallels in the marketplace to what you've been doing in the church. One would be something in Human Resources or in a Training role. HR involves a lot of counseling and caring, and Training involves teaching and speaking and teaching (There are companies like Skillpath and Fred Pryor that hire people to teach their training materials and seminars so you might check them out).
Another thing that comes to mind (but that would take some training and certification and would depend on your skills) are a financial planner (lots of teaching and counseling). In the right environment - as a fee-based planner - you can focus on what's really best for your clients' situation without having to use a hard sell on them.
The other thing that comes to mind would be something in a Christian College or Seminary - a counselor, Chaplain, Academic Adviser, etc.
I don't know if you're familiar with the IDAK group, but they have career counselors who help mid-career professionals evaluate their skills and identify career paths that are a good fit for their god-given talents. You might check their website to see if there's a counselor in your area.
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/3/2008 10:37:53 AM
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PCDawson
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I am open - very - to another church ministry position. I am also trying to honor my wife and children who are very connected in our current location - at church, school, community groups, etc. - so I am trying to pursue other ministry-related oportunities in the area. Thanks for the heads up on IDAK... I'd not heard of them, but I'll check them out.
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/3/2008 11:23:23 AM
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rolling
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Found at http://churchtithesandofferings.com/blog/tithe-wars/
This next quote from Pagan Christianity talks about clergy salaries and raises a very good point. I had never thought about this until it was mentioned here,
“A further peril of the paid pastorate is that it produces clergy who feel “stuck” in the pastorate because they believe they lack employable skills. . . All of the schooling and training had been dedicated to studying and preaching the Bible. While these skills are noteworthy, they are of limited appeal in the secular job market. The major hurdle they now face is forging a new career to support their families.”
Guaranteed, steady salaries that employ full time pastors can create many stumbling blocks. The above mentioned is one of them. Some things to think about. One, should pastors be a full time staff member, so that when the time comes to leave the ministry, that they can provide for their family with some experience in practical skills? Two, does their steady income and lack of practical skills keep them locked in the ministry regardless if God is calling them out? What if ministers are asked to step out because of sin, or whatever else? Then what? Tell me what you think?
This does raise the issue about 'tithing' as well. Where's all the financial blessings?
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/3/2008 11:59:53 AM
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gal220
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Joined: 7/31/2008
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If you hold a degree, you can teach at a college...Social Work, HR and/or Training, as previously suggested are definitely compatible to your pastoral skills. Customer Service and/or Management positions are also options. You may find nonprofit organizations and/or state agencies more suitable than corporations. Another suggestion is to go onto job search website, for example monster.com, you can enter the skill that you would like to use most as a keyword and see what "pops up". (You can do this by entering a variety of skills). You'll be surprised at the the different positions that utilize the skills, gifts and experience you possess. God's faithful! He won't give you something that He can't use in or out of the church 
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/3/2008 2:15:24 PM
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gcsmithjr
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Rolling -
PCDawson just got laid off is looking for help, advice and support.
I don't think this is the right place for you to share your opinions about whether we need professional pastors. Please show some compassion and take your argument to another thread.
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/3/2008 3:23:56 PM
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rolling
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It's called tough love.
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/3/2008 4:12:31 PM
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gcsmithjr
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quote:
It's called tough love.
Where in the Bible do you find any kind of justification for "Tough Love" in this context. Last time I read 1 Corinthians it said "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
It seems like you're using someone else's difficulty to try and further your argument - that just doesn't seem like kindness.
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/3/2008 5:50:45 PM
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rolling
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Truth should never be trumped by love. If it is, then it is not genuine love. I am not trying to be the big mean guy like some of you think. Truth should be balanced with love but never swept under the carpet. My prayer is that the brother will find that open door for work soon. I worked in 2 sweat shops for 34 years with my calling intact. They closed the plant and said 'start over somewhere else.' I know what it is to be out of work. But my word to you is God is faithful and will open a door. My other post was simply pointing out the real problems of men who know nothing but pulpiteering. This is why Paul told the elders to work jobs to provide for their needs.
Paul even worked secular work. Now if that's being mean, i am sorry.
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/3/2008 6:47:28 PM
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Consecrated2God
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Let's not turn this into a debate, please. This thread is for practical advice for the OP.
Sincerely,
Lisa Luper
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RE: Career Change... how do ministry gifts translate ou... - 12/4/2008 3:47:36 PM
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RJR_fan
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From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
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I'm a technical writer. This utilizes (I that word, BTW!) my prophetic giftings -- an ability to oversimplify, find a direct path through complex information, write in the second person imperative, and find helpful metaphors. (also, at the moment, an unemployed technical writer! The work pays well when I have it, but also is a target for bean counters wanting to make end-of-quarter numbers!)
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Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
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