Practical degree vs. Ministry degree

imperfectchristian · #21 3rd December 2010, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Faulty

Not everyone is called to a fulltime ministry. If somebody ever told me that, I'd be inclined to ask them for chapter and verse where that assumption is laid out in scripture and then warned them about presuming upon God based on their personal assumprions alone. But then again, that's might just be me.

I love creating an environment for people to connect with. There is no better feeling when you have done something that touches peoples hearts with the love of God. I would love to pursue it as a profession (again), but I'm not sure that is what I should do. I need to be responsible to my family as well and making decisions that are financially not in our best interests (at least in the short term) concerns me...I wonder what the right motivation to have is.

JimB · #22 3rd December 2010, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by imperfectchristian

This is a great point. At my current job I have been able to share a great deal with one person particularly I work with who knows very little about their Christian faith. Whereas ironically in my former ministry position, people seemed to keep me at arms distance. I agree that generally speaking, a secular degree is more beneficial in the business world. I am just conflicted because my greatest ability is in music and I would love to return to full time music ministry, but I'm not sure if that is the responsible choice.

And you bring up a good point, too. In my job as a pastor I have little opportunity to share my faith with nonbelievers—church members, colleagues, and believers occupy almost all of my time. Of course, I can make time but I would have to sacrifice a lot of my responsibilities to do so. Sometimes it gets rather frustrating. Then, when I do have a chance to talk to a nonbeliever and they know I am a minister, their guard goes up and they go into religious mode and will not always present themselves as they really are, more as they think I expect them to be. That is also frustrating.

~Jim

Love God. Love people. Period.

lismore · #23 3rd December 2010, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by JimB

In my job as a pastor I have little opportunity to share my faith with nonbelievers—

There are a lot of unbelievers frequent some of the sub forums here, e.g the Apologetics section.

Why not try there?

bliz · #24 3rd December 2010, 02:45 PM

Master's in Counseling from local University (financially more responsible, solid career)

Vs.

Bachelor's in Worship from SAGU (non usable in secular world, twice as expensive, what I love to do)

What say ye?

A BA in worship is a very small area of study and my guess is that is not a very demanding or respected major. Even a MDiv is respected by the world.

Simply Put · #25 3rd December 2010, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by imperfectchristian

Well situations keep changing and I keep getting different people telling me to do different things. Where's your long suffering and patience pastor Joe?

If I was your pastor I would give you the following advice

stop going to mom, grandma and other people for advice on what you are supposed to do.

Grow a set, get with your wife and between the two of you make a decision based on God's guidence, the info you currently have and your wife's wisdom.

I guarentee you, you will not be in the same place you have been for the last 17 months.

I'm not your pastor, it that is what I would say. And have said to others.

Big Drew · #26 3rd December 2010, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Big Drew

If you can find a church that would hire a full time music minister it would be possible...most of the music ministers I know are part time, though...But, it makes me wonder if that type of degree would make it possible for someone to get a job as a Band or Choir Director in a high school, and then they could also be involved in a church music ministry as well?

Oh yeah...I know a handful that are full time...the ones I know are in larger churches, 500+, with enough funds to have full staff...one of my cousins was full time at a church in WV for a while...then he moved to Nashville, and he's part time there...but, his hopes are to get into the CCM industry...he has the talent.

When I was the music minister at my old church it was completely volunteer...but we only had about 75 members...

There are definitely opportunities for full time music ministers but they don't seem to be as common as full time pastors or associate pastors.

JimB · #27 3rd December 2010, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by lismore

There are a lot of unbelievers frequent some of the sub forums here, e.g the Apologetics section.

Why not try there?

Oh, I have been there. I don’t go to that forum much anymore because I am trying to follow the advice of Prov. 26.4, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.”If there are, as you say, unbelievers there they are playing word games with Christians. That is not witnessing as one-on-one, eye-to-eye encounters with serious-minded seekers would be. I prefer more personal relationships to anonymous online word games with mischievous debaters.

But thanks for the suggestion. I did find a “Struggles by Non-Christians" forum. I might try that.

~Jim

Love God. Love people. Period.

imperfectchristian · #28 3rd December 2010, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by Balance

If I was your pastor I would give you the following advice

stop going to mom, grandma and other people for advice on what you are supposed to do.

Grow a set, get with your wife and between the two of you make a decision based on God's guidance, the info you currently have and your wife's wisdom.

I guarantee you, you will not be in the same place you have been for the last 17 months.

I'm not your pastor, it that is what I would say. And have said to others.

Thanks for the advice B. What is it that I should grow a pair of?

Seriously though...its just a question for conversation on something that is on my mind. My wife doesn't care what we do. She thinks very practically about finances and friends, but leaves these decisions to me. There is nothing wrong with soliciting opinion nor is it a sign of an inability to make a decision because I ask what others think or sometimes vent whatever may be frustrating me at the moment online. I'm a lot more independent than you give me credit for.