Middle Age Ministry

Do folk do such a thing ...?

I am at that stage in life, with a lovely US bride (I am a New Zealander) children all mature and away from home. And now really feel the Lord wants me in a more full time ministry.

My work, being a land surveyor/engineer, is at a stage where I need to really choose another position or as I have shared change altogether to full time Christian ministry.

Are there folk in this forum who have done such?
I assume it takes the commitment of a church community to take you on, I suppose like a trainee pastor as I study?

Having been involved in active church ministry (started Salvation Army then into small local God fearing fellowships) most of my life, leading children's ministry and even training within a fellowship for lay preaching there are skills.

So we are at a crossroads;
- Move and take on another surveying/engineering role.
- Move on and seek out a trainee pastor/youth worker position. In my heart I want to get out and share my Christian life lessons and pastoral heart in a community. And never stop learning myself...
- As my lovely bride so wishes to return to the US (from Washington state) and this small community we live in (population 900) could not fund a trainee position we are seriously praying '... lord should we go to the USA and serve....'.

So I have been praying things through and part of my practical solution is to share this with folk. I would appreciate feedback especially from folk who have taken on such a change in mid life. In 'personnel management theory' such changes are out of place but I am not sure our Lord endorses such theories.

Blessings in Christ

jsimms615 said:

....I would keep in mind there are other types of full time ministry than preaching. I do counseling and I very much consider it a ministry

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Yes I fully agree.

It is one thing I learned in the Salvation Army is that serving folk (in so many ways) as Christ's ambassador is so important. I smile when I say this as I assumed all churches have the congregations out serving as we all did in the Salleys. That is no criticism more the fact that that particular fellowship was so much out there in the community.

Yes I am called but a bit nervous about the whole thing. I am almost going '..well Lord it is your hassle not mine..'. But I do need to start doing my bit.

phydaux said:

What about expanding your part time ministry while keeping your full time job?

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Hi phydaux thanks for that,
Yes I have considered that direction as well.
My conclusion is that time is the issue. It is more efficient for myself to even have a part time job and part time ministry.

Yet as I do feel called to full time ministry (and I admit the fact I enjoy folk and serving them) so am considering the ....... part time work part time ministry (while studying away as required) ...... then move onto full time ministry.

God has to lead though and I think we all agree it is not a small change....
And one of my biggest 'leadings' (if that is the word) is to think through to a future, if I do not bother. The regret in my heart is then pretty big...