Why do I not regret the change?
I get this question quite frequently. The answer is “No.” I don’t have a single regret leaving full-time preaching ministry. In fact, it may be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I say this for those reading who are contemplating stepping away from preaching ministry because I know you are out there. You are torn. You are scared. You worry about what others might think.
I’m here to tell you that there is life on the other side.
That many have been duped into thinking that the only effective ministry is preaching ministry is unfortunate. I know people indeed work under this misconception because it was a burden once placed on me.
But I took the plunge, and may have salvaged many other aspects of my life because of it.
Here’s why I don’t regret my decision…
I made some people happy!
To be sure, your critics will be glad you are no longer preaching. For a while, I got emails from my critics stating that I wasn’t fit for the pulpit any longer. My decision to minister elsewhere was a blessing to them.
I also made my wife happy. The fishbowl our families get thrust into when we are involved in full-time preaching work is never mentioned as a part of the package but it’s always in the fine print. My wife and kids didn’t deserve some of the treatment they received. To have been moved from a fishbowl to open waters has been a blessing to us all!
I’m engaged in work people appreciate.
Don’t misunderstand me here. Preachers are appreciated. What I mean though is that when people ask me what I do now, they become intrigued. When I would tell people I was a preacher, they would generally become guarded. I think we all know why. In fact, many would become people they really weren’t. In my opinion, that is unfortunate. Now when I tell people what I do, I get amazement.
A few months ago I went back to my hometown for my 20th class reunion. I was amazed at how genuinely interested and intrigued my friends from “back in the day” were with the work I do. I wouldn’t exchange that for the world.
Kids matter! They are the future. Our world in 30 years will be shaped by the preteens Tisha and I work with now. What could be nobler work than affecting the world now for the sake of the future? I can tell by our donors this is a work they appreciate!
You don’t have to preach for a church to minister!
I alluded to this earlier, but I’ll reiterate it once more… You don’t have to preach for a church to minister!!!!!!! Was that stated clearly
Serving gravy at the NMCCH Pork Chop Breakfast
enough?
I work in an incredible environment with incredible people! This is a unique environment. I am somewhat insulated from a lot of things, but regardless of where we work we can minister to others.
I have a friend who left the pulpit and now works as a prison counselor. He’s doing what he could have never done while in preaching ministry. I would venture to say he feels like he’ s making a huge impact! I think he is. He is in the trenches, and is in a position to make an enduring impact.
One Last Thought…
The business model is working against the church. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
Jesus didn’t die for a 501 C3 Non-Profit Organization!
It’s true! The first century church wasn’t dictated by a budget. It didn’t hire and fire ministers. I don’t think it voted to see who would become elders and deacons. From everything I can read, it didn’t operate like a business. But that is the norm today.
This became a major source of frustration for me. Criteria were crafted for helping people. It wasn’t “opportunity” based assistance (Galatians 6:10). There was too much worry about getting scammed. Who can feel good about telling someone, “Sorry… Can you come back another time and we might help you then?”
I’m not suggesting the business model is necessarily wrong. It’s a way for the church to function. But I’d contend the business model has hindered the church more than it has helped it, and I’m glad I’m no longer beholden to it.
