Now What?
September 10th, 2007 | by Scott |I haven’t blogged a whole lot here about my job search. It’s hard determining what is appropriate to talk about and what’s not.
Nevertheless, we have been actively looking at churches that seem a good fit theologically and missionally. We also looked at ones that would utilize Tracy and be a receptive and nurturing environment for our girls.
We zeroed in on two churches that seemed to be a good fit for us. One in Alabama and one in California. We went and interviewed in both places and left feeling confident that we had made a connection and would be a good potential fit.
Out of all the resumes both of these churches received they invited two guys to come in and interview. We found out on Saturday that both churches had opted to go with the other candidate.
Needless to say it was a disappointing weekend to receive two rejections so close to one another. We were told in both places that it was a tough decision but the other guy just fit a little better.
Now after waiting so long in hopes that one of these two churches would be our next destination we are really back at square one.
There are several questions that we have to grapple with at this point:
–Do we stay in ministry? Is this the time for me to consider a different career path? I know that I am gifted in preaching and teaching. I know that I have vision and at least a beyond rudimentary understanding of being relevant in our culture. But is that enough? I’m not the greatest people person in the world. I am an introvert which some people seem as a personality flaw rather than as asset.
In addition, in the 10 years that Tracy and I have been working in ministry together I have been the only minister on staff for 7 of those years. The remaining three were not necessarily peaceful times. If I did stay in ministry it couldn’t be alone or in isolation. I’ve had good ministry as a pulpit man over the last 5 years but little to no spiritual enrichment for me.
–If we take a sabbatical from ministry, what do I do? With the exception of a year back in my late 20s, I have been in full-time ministry my entire adult life. And that year was spent writing and editing Sunday School curriculum. So, off the top of my head I’m not sure what the best direction is. If I am moving in a new direction then I should make it count. Here are some of the options we have tossed around over the last few days:
Moving to Abilene and getting my M.Div Equivalence–Since I already have an M.A. I wouldn’t have as much work to do and it would help in any ordinations I might seek in the future. It would also lead into a D.Min, as well. Of course this would be a precursor to moving back into ministry. My one fear would be that by the time I finished my D.Min churches might consider me too old.
Getting My PhD in order to teach–I love teaching and I come alive in a classroom setting. Being able to teach at a college level is extremely appealing to me. However, finding the right school and emphasis is one that wouldn’t’ be easy. And the competition is overwhelming.
Going to Law School–This is one that Tracy is really interested in me pursuing and I have to admit that a large part of me is intrigued. I would love the opportunity to use my law degree to working with some sort of non-profit agency committed to social justice. Tracy is prepared to go back to work and be the chief bread-winner for me to do this. But that is three years and a mountain of debt.
Teaching on the High School Level–This would be the quickest to achieve. Of course this would ensure both of us needing to work.
Go to School to become a Librarian–I think I would love that environment, especially in an academic environment.
These are the issues that we are grappling with at the moment. I can’t imagine not being in full time ministry but there are a dearth of openings that I know of that meet our criteria.
Any thoughts?
20 Responses to “Now What?”
By Shane on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I appreciate your willingness to be so vulnerable in this. I think (and this is certainly not very helpful) that all of those choices seem viable, worth it, and extremely challenging in the short run. You are in my prayers. And should you guys still be in Waco a while in 2008…okay, now I am just being selfish. Remember, there’s no shame in not being cut out to minister to tiny little Churches of Christ for your entire adult life (or in using the occasional double negative in a blog comment). And when are we going to lunch?
By Greg on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
My brother-in-law in Houston went to work for a Christian school as campus minister and got his teaching certification with some night classes and on-the-job training. He’s certified for Jr High science and math, I think. Anyway, it wasn’t too hard to get certified.
Or, you could pimp.
Also, M.Div Equivalence would be a good name for a band. Say it kind of quick, it’s got a ring to it.
By Mike the Eyeguy on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Sorry things didn’t work out at either place–must be something else out there that you need to do instead.
This is purely from a layman’s point of view, but if you’re going to go into debt at your age by going back to school (not necessarily a bad thing mind you), consider picking a profession where you can service that debt more easily. Law school is fairly quick (3 yrs) and the payoff is potentially higher. Plus, it’s an extremely versatile degree, allowing one to practice in a wide variety of settings. Heck, you could even still preach and write novels as a lawyer. I hear some do that rather well.
Of course, all that pragmatism is a distant concern compared to your own personal period of reflection regarding your gifts and future path. But since discernment at its best is done both privately and in community, that’s my opinion, FWIW.
By Joe on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
I have quite a bit to say about this because I’ve asked some of these same questions. Would love to say more but I’m thinking I don’t want to leave my comments in the public realm. Can’t seem to access your e-mail address from the sidebar. Could you e-mail me at joehays@gmail.com so that I could share with you some of my thoughts/experience?
By hermit greg on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Scott, not long ago I spent nearly 18 months on the job market; my wife spent 24. Worse, our times seeking overlapped. That was an excruciating two years, and we both suffered doubts and she depression for it (and some other reasons I won’t go into). To have what seems like a very promising interview, then to watch all your hopes be dashed to the rocks like Babylonian children is the most heartbreaking experience of a job search. I sympathize very much.
However, while I understand the temptation to consider other options, I suspect you shouldn’t give up on your current search quite yet. Not only is there’s a lot that goes into a hiring decision that you can’t control (a difficult but necessary thing to remember), there’s also much to learn from a failure, about your own self-presentation, about your interviewing habits, about representing your strengths and speaking frankly but wisely about your weaknesses.
“What doesn’t break you makes you stronger” advice aside, rejection sucks. I’m sorry neither job came through. Something will, and I suspect it will be something that allows you to exercise your gifts.
By jasonk on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Hey Scott, I think I know how you feel. I left vocational ministry six years ago. I didn’t know which direction to go either, but it occurred to me that when you don’t really know what direction to go, any direction you choose to go must be okay. I decided that I was going to do what I wanted to do. I did.
Law school was something I always wanted to do too. I opted against it, because several friends told me that your marriage and your kids totally take a back seat to it. One client told me that when he started law school his daughter was 15. The next time he saw her, she was a college freshman. He is glad to be a lawyer, but regrets the time it took from his family.
Be patient, and ask God to open doors in areas that you believe you would enjoy. That’s what I did, and in a few weeks I met a guy who became an instant friend, and helped me get into the securities business.
The good thing is that in a secular job, you can still do ministry–preaching, whatever. You can make a little extra income, and the best part is you can say whatever you want :>)
By terri on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
At your age…
I don’t really mean that - I’m just so tired of hearing it myself.
I know that you don’t want to hear a bunch of “everything will be fine” stuff so I’ll just say, “Sorry this is such a yucky time.”
Hey - why don’t you call VH1 and see if they need anybody to review 80’s music? Maybe you could interview the greats (you know Billy Squier!)
By Scott on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Thanks for all the kind comments. I so greatly appreciate this community.
I just can’t see myself leaving ministry in some form. I think ultimately I will head in the DMin route while continuing to preach.
That’s what I keep seeing. I know I have more to give.
By Amy on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
It really has to come down to what you are passionate about pursuing. What do you sense you are called to do? If preaching is it, these are just two churches out of a gazillion.
Of course I love the MDiv idea, and think some time at ACU would really refresh you and connect you and grow you in ways that jumping straight into another ministry position would not.
Then later, the DMin is designed for guys who are in full time ministry roles. They are even moving the courses to Dallas to make it easier.
But, I could also really see you earning a PhD and teaching in a college or grad school setting. It sounds like you know yourself pretty well, and that alone is a big hurdle to clear!
By len on Sep 10, 2007 | Reply
Scott,
I think you have a pastor’s heart. Every denomination seems to be losing pastors by the bucket full. If this were a poll, I would vote for you staying in the pastorate. There are days when I would rather do anything other than pastor, but this is a worthwhile calling. The right path will present itself in time.
By Greg England on Sep 11, 2007 | Reply
Being the former minister of the church in California, I read this blog with a great sense of sadness for you and Tracy. I can’t imagine how it must feel to get that message of rejection twice in the same weekend. You and your family were prayed for this past week in Long Beach and you will continue to be lifted up in prayer by many people out this way.
By Scott on Sep 11, 2007 | Reply
Yesterday was a great day of clarification for me. Right now I have an interview lined up at the end of the month and I think I know what direction to take with career and continuing ed.
Thanks for being my sounding board guys.
By Belinda on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
on not being chosen . . . THEIR LOSS!
By Sis on Sep 14, 2007 | Reply
I’m sorry to hear your news. Part of me was hoping for Long Beach since California is our favorite vacation destination. However, I know mom and dad were worried they would never see the girls (or you and Tracy). Teaching college is amazingly easy; for me, it means teaching 5 classes and 10 office hours a week. This semester I am teaching 2 overloads, so that is extra. 3 of my classes are online, so I work on those during the office hours. So basically, I work a 22 hour week. Summer classes(if I choose to teach them) are extra income too. I was tremendously blessed to stay home with the kids, but teaching college is something I could have worked around their school hours with no trouble at all.
If you opt for the library route, I wish you would convince Adam to do it too. I think it would be perfect for both of you.
By Scott on Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
I’d like to teach college but I’m afraid the good religion positions would be far too competitive at my age.
Librarian is definitely an option. Everything is on hold until I have my other interviews, though.
By hermit greg on Sep 17, 2007 | Reply
To take a little bit of the sugar off the professorial vocation: if you’re fortunate enough to get a tenure-track job at a research university, your teaching load may be anywhere from 2/2 to 3/3 or perhaps 3/4 (that is, classes per semester). If you’re lucky, then you have at most two class preps per, but some teachers get saddled with more. On top of that, you also have 4-5 years to gain tenure, which might be easier, in that you only have to publish an or two article in a journal and present several conferences, or difficult, in that you must have a book contract in hand.
Teaching universities will be different. Teaching loads will probably be 4/4, with several preps, and could even be greater. There’ll likely be significant service attached to that, including advising. If the teaching university has a tenure system, the research requirements will still be there, although they’ll be lighter. If it doesn’t have tenure then you’ll just have to consider your options very carefully. Working at a teaching university, it could be very difficult to move on from that school to another. Not impossible, but difficult.
There’s much to recommend teaching college, especially being a professor with tenure, not the least of which is that it’s frequently possible to set your own daily schedule. But universities and academic careers carry their own very significant stressors and it’s worth being aware of what those stressors are.
By hermit greg on Sep 17, 2007 | Reply
(One of the most significant benefits, obviously, is the potential to serve as a mentor to bright students.)
By Scott on Sep 18, 2007 | Reply
As I weigh options teaching at the collegiate level moves down on my list a great deal. It’s still ahead of law school, though, which I have almost ruled out completely.
By Debbie on Sep 18, 2007 | Reply
Glad you commented on one of my blogs so I could track you down. Wanted you to know how upset I was when you were not selected to be our new minister, even more so after reading this and knowing the disappointment of your double whammy. Although not as a minister, I thoroughly understand the concept of rejection in the working world and have had a deluge of it over the past few years and can empathize with your frustration.
I didn’t want Greg to leave and hated that Greg left. Although no one is irreplaceable, in my heart no one can ever fill Greg’s shoes, but people, especially ministers, come and go and you learn to accept the inevitable–things never stay the same.
I wasn’t present to hear the other finalist in ‘Bama so I can’t offer my opinion, but here at Long Beach there was no comparison and in the normal working world you would have won hands down in preparation, presentation, and dare I say, perfection,:) but seriously, there was a degree of excellence in both your Bible class and sermon. So you know, there were many others who felt the same and if put to a vote (and in this modern age with so many changes in the religious sector, why not), the results would have been quite different. One individual especially upset is my mom. She is absolutely heartbroken to the point of almost being in tears, and she didn’t even get to attend your Bible class.
From one introvert to another, never considered myself a people person either and it always made me feel inferior which contributed to many years of self-loathing. However, this personality trait carries no shame, is not a flaw, and, yes, it can be considered an asset–we are not fake and don’t have “to be on” all the time. That to me is the truest form of deception. Over the last few years I worked in customer service and retail and decided I’m not so bad with people after all. Some sales managers even said I would make a great salesperson–people wouldn’t see me coming. Even though I’m still not a social butterfly, I treat people the way I want to be treated.
Only you can determine what is best for you and your family, but whatever you do–preacher, teacher, lawyer, or librarian–I’m sure you will do equally well in all. However, don’t let these two defeats ever make you question your ability to be in the ministry. I saw a man with passion and compassion; someone with a true minister’s heart.
You and Tracy connected just fine with me, and remember, I’m an introvert. Since when is “connects better” a determining factor anyway. Although most might not admit it, the focus is on the preaching and if people don’t like the preaching, they ain’t gonna come back.
No matter where you, Tracy, and the kids go, any place will be lucky to have you. Good luck. God bless. Take care.
By Scott on Sep 18, 2007 | Reply
Debbie, you have no idea how much your comment means to me. We came out of that weekend feeling confident that we had made the necessary impression. And it was really humbling and confidence shaking when it went the other way. Thank you so much for providing this little bit of insight. It helps more than you know.