If you’ve been around the church for any length of time, you’ve heard of people leaving the marketplace to go into full-time ministry.
“God’s called me out of my full-time job as a banker/accountant/clown/baker/realtor to be a pastor.”
I don’t doubt these promptings by the Spirit. But why is it that we never hear of the opposite?
Why do we hardly ever hear of people being called out of full-time ministry into the marketplace? Surely they exist.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Justin Wise and Trevor Hamm, Be Deviant. Be Deviant said: From the Pit to the Palace http://goo.gl/fb/2qGpF [...]
My (now-former) boss actually just went this route.
After leading a para-church collegiate ministry for many years he followed a call to enter the marketplace.
Obviously we were sad to see him leave but were equally excited for the kingdom influence and perspective that he will bring to his new workplace, the relationships that he develops there and the overall direction of the business.
You're quite right though that it's certainly all too rare to see this sort of “reverse-commute”.
Sadly, it seems that we hear that story in the form of, “I was a pastor but got burnt out…”
I do hear of this, maybe even as frequently as I hear of the other… maybe not out of the pastorate specifically, but out of other ministry positions.
My husband and I are two of those. Both of us with calls to ministry. We've both worked “professionally” on church staffs. But we now we have mainstream jobs and are volunteer leaders in our church. We are more productive for the kingdom. Our ministry is more intentional. My husband is the associate pastor of our church. He receives no salary. There are way too many churches and communities that need us (those called into ministry) to lead. God will provide ways for you to be provided for. It doesn't have to be through church. We are happier, healthier, and more productive. It has worked for us. Maybe not for everyone or every community.
You don't hear it much but it does happen. I know of a few people who have left a position at a church or Christian Organization. I think more often than not people float around. For example we have a unpaid teacher at my church. He has worked a lot of different places and been self employed. Currently he owns his own business. I would argue that a lot of times people don't leave the ministry, their ministry changes. I know several people who have secular jobs that do more good for the Kingdom than leaders of churches.
is this some sort of self-fulfilling prophecy unfolding before our very eyes??
I wonder if at some level it has to do with the fact that leaving the marketplace for full-time ministry seems like a very noble act and therefore we feel comfortable sharing it and in fact want to. But, leaving full-time ministry for the marketplace often brings skepticism in today's church culture and may not seem quite as noble…could be viewed as “quitting” or “giving up” and therefore we're not as comfortable talking about it and so we avoid sharing. Just a thought.
I think Katie nailed it; entering ministry is seen as a great noble act, and leaving is seen as giving up. It's a shame that in the last couple thousand years, we haven't internalized the calling for all people to be ministers. It's truly sad.
K… I think you're right. But how do we turn this faulty belief around? Further, what is that causes us to elevate the role of the pastor to the point of super-stardom?
Sammy … What are some steps we can take to changing this belief? What are some concrete steps we can take to changing the culture around this idea?
This is an interesting post and comments on which I’ve cogitated for the past few days.
Sam’s comments caused me to think about my own experience, which was leaving the church for the marketplace more than 25 years ago. How often do I share that fact? Rarely. Does that seem ignoble? Perhaps. Has God called me to other ministries in the meantime? Absolutely.
Sam’s other point is much more apropos – “we haven't internalized the calling for all people to be ministers.†Which led me to “why haven’t we ‘internalized the calling?’†Probably because we want to “do church†one hour or day a week and we want to be “ministered to,†instead of “ministering to.†And that quite simply is blatant disobedience. But worse, perhaps it’s an ignoble, embarrassing role that we choose to hide? Christy’s comments are an encouraging affirmation of what should take place as we are called to minister wherever God puts us.
I was struck initially by the title of the post – “From the Pit to the Palace…†and spent some time trying to figure out if I am currently working in the “Pit†or the “Palace?†And I’d have to say, from the worldly perspective, it’s sometimes the former, but from a Godly perspective, clearly the latter. I assume this is referencing Joseph’s journey from being sold into slavery to ruling Egypt in Pharaoh’s court – realizing that even for Joseph there were a few pits and palaces along the way.
Great conversation!
I think the reason this problem exists is two-fold. One: vocational ministers (overall, but I'm sure not all…) do a poor job of recognizing ministers in the workplace; small group leaders, prayer warriors, teachers of Scripture, etc. These people are often the hidden pillar in churches, who pastors recognize privately, but rarely publicly. Why?! We must recognize those in the workplace who are doing ministry.
Two: we must make the move when we feel that call and not be ashamed. Steve spoke to this in his life. I've had a similar experience in mine. When the transition out of ministry happens, we need to embrace that. If everyone who makes that move lives in the false reality that they've stepped down a rung on God's ladder, nothing will change.
One person who's life I've watched in the last few years is, of course, Ben Arment. He is doing it well, not ashamed. That will set a lot of people free. We all have that power – when we live our lives confident in what God is doing IN and (only then) through us, people will see how noble that just is.
Jordan … Why do you think this is?
What’s been your ex-pastor’s experience since he’s been in the marketplace? Positive? Negative?
Ha! As the Lord leads, I guess.
Christy … I’ve been thinking about your comment all week. Describe a little bit on how you feel “happier, healthier and more productive.” Very intriguing stuff!
Great thoughts as usual Justin.
peace | dewde
Thank you, my brother!