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Should you make a ministerial move? That
is what Calvin Ritz terms, “The Loneliest Choice of All” in the opening
chapter of When It’s Time to Move. It is often a dilemma that
must be resolved at those crucial change-points in life.
David was at a point like that when he
admitted his need of God’s guidance. His prayer in Psalm 25:4 pleads,
Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Discovering
spiritual direction must always begin
in earnest prayer time with the Lord.
In the ensuing verse David prays,
Guide me in your truth and teach me.... He seeks guidance both
instructionally (“your truth”) and directionally (‘your
paths”). In ministry these dual needs require openness to knowing and
going as God gives light. Perhaps you are in a quandary about whether to
leave your present ministry. How can you know what God’s path is?
Note a striking relationship between
these two guidance requirements. How does God instruct you in His Truth?
Careful study coupled with spiritual illumination is God’s instructional
plan. As in sermon preparation, to be well-led, you must be well-read.
Study carefully what the human factors reveal. Depend upon the Spirit
and the Word to give spiritual understanding. The heart of the
discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out
(Proverbs 18:15).
With absolute assurance, the Psalmist
rejoices that He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them
his way... He will instruct him in the way chosen for him (Psalm
25:9, 12).
To help you evaluate whether a move
would be wise or otherwise, ponder these searching and perhaps searing
questions.
1. Is your flock
harmonious or acrimonious?
Webster’s definition of the latter term
is “Bitingly hostile in language or tone.” Is any of that apparent in
your church?
There is a poignant word in Proverbs
27:23 for spiritual shepherds: Be sure you know the condition of your
flocks, give careful attention to your herds. How do you assess your
flock? If there is increasing hostility instead of harmony, there is
probably also plummeting morale--on both sides of the pulpit.
If that is occurring, it may indicate
that a man with different ministry skills is needed. And probably you
need to move on before it worsens or before it affects your capacity to
minister elsewhere. Some pastors overstay their situation until they go
into an emotional tailspin or their families sustain serious
consequences.
2. Is your rapport
strong or wrong?
If there is a significant number of
people whose cooperation or support you no longer have--despite your
noblest efforts at peace making--it probably suggests that you ought to
begin the process of uprooting.
If your base of support among the
leadership has continued to erode and can’t be offset by adjustments
within your capability, that speaks loud and clear about leaving. It
should not be necessary for a board to have to show you the door! A
prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and
suffer for it (Proverbs 22:3).
3. Is your vision
holding or folding?
Recall the hopes and goals with which
you embarked on your present ministry. If your major objectives have
been realized or if planning future goals is dimmed by uncertainty, it
suggests the likelihood that the Giver of visions seeks to transplant
you to a new place with a new perspective. Opposition with open doors
can be bearable, but not when doors of opportunity seem to be closing.
Paul stayed at Ephesus because a great door for effective work has
opened to me, and there are many who oppose me (1Corinthians 16:9).
Just as people perish without a vision,
so do pastors!
4. Is your enthusiasm
being maintained or drained?
Excitement can cool until a man is
devoid of the fire and force that once motivated him.
If this spiritual and emotional drain
has taken its toll on you, you cannot minister effectively. You will
likely burn out instead of hold out. All kinds of fresh attempts
will only deepen frustration, if God
is nudging you to move on.
Remember Elijah at Horeb? He had run
until, like a clock, he had run down. He needed that special
touch from God of rewinding & reassigning.
The prophet’s experience raises a crisis
consideration that may perplex you. Should a pastor resign if another
call has not come? To leave the ministry risks questions and may
complicate reentry. Like marriage, it should not be done “lightly or
unadvisedly”. But, if your well-being or that of the church signals a
need to leave before another call comes, then do it in faith. Don’t
imperil yourself, your family or your flock by prolonged delay. To be
forced out is far more damaging than to step out.
What will you do? How will your family
survive? How will you ever reenter Christian service? First Kings 19
stands as a landmark of God’s sustaining and retraining for future
service. A time of alternate employment can be a valuable hiatus of
healing as you await new orders from Heaven.
5. Is your potential
tapped or capped?
In the evaluation process, review your
spiritual gifts and desires.
In his correspondence with Timothy, Paul
included two practical thoughts about this matter. In 1 Timothy 4:14:
Do not neglect your gift... and in 2 Timothy 1:6: Fan into flame
the gift of God, which is in you....
Are you being limited in using essential
gifts that God has given you? Are you expected to perform well in tasks
where you are not gifted? You may need to pursue a new ministry where
your potential could be maximized. There is no greater stress than being
captive to circumstances that douse the flame of spiritual desire. Your
gifts should be usable not useless, worked not wasted.
If you sense it may be time to consider
a move, the CB Mission Northeast Resource Center seeks to be God’s
instrument in counsel and referral. Download and complete the
Pastoral Information Form from our website to begin the process.
Complete instructions are included on the form. We look forward to
serving you.
If you sense it may be time to consider
a move, the CB Mission Northeast Resource Center seeks to be God’s
instrument in counsel and referral. Download and complete the
Pastoral Information Form from our website to begin the process.
Complete instructions are included on the form. We look forward to
serving you.
I
know the plans I have for you... plans to prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and a
future....
Isaiah 29:11
Do
not fret and lose your patience, If He bids you sit and wait; In His own
kind, loving manner He will open another
gate.
-- W
R. Elliott
©
1992 CBA of New York |
