Almost but never quite there.

[JasonO]

Don't know if anyone else on here is in this boat, but here it goes. I feel called to full time ministry. I have my seminary education and try to get all the experience I can. I've applied for several church positions online. Some I never hear from again. Some I've been narrowed down to the final 3, only to have them pick someone else. One even told me they ended up deciding on the other guy cause he was younger (he was mid 20s while Im 41). Its just frustrating. Anyone relate? Any advice?

 

[Kenny'sID]

Can't really relate, except I suppose it's a lot like anything, persistence will eventually get you there.

At least you are being considered, I'd say that's a good sign to help keep you going. How long have you been trying?

 

[Tolworth John]

There are several ways into full time work, the way your trying isn't working.
You could try finding a church that needs help and moving to that area, finding work and join the church. Start by getting to know people and just helping. As you become known and your abilities are recognised you will be asked to do more. As you do more you will be serving that church, and your ambition will have become known, either they will decide to take you on or will be able to recomend you to another church in need of help and willing to pay for that help.

If it doesn't happen you are not called to full time work.

 

[Paidiske]

I can relate. I'm about to move into a full time role, after three and a half years doing a couple of part-time roles.

I think, a bit like Kenny'sID said, you take what you can get and trust that if you're faithful in small things, people will be willing to give you larger responsibilities.

Besides your seminary training, what ministry skills and experience do you have behind you (eg. would you be qualified for a music ministry role, or as a teacher)? If you can find a role that lets you build on what's already on your resume, even if it's not quite what you were looking for, that might help.

And I guess be willing to think outside the box. I looked seriously at working overseas for a while (and I still may, in the future).

Just to stir your thinking, here are some "out of the box" type roles I could find advertised. These are based in the UK, but it might give you an idea of some of the different sorts of things that are out there:

Regional Support Officer vacancy in UK
General Secretary vacancy in UK
Strategic Programme Manager vacancy in South West
Family Project Leader vacancy in Yorkshire and Lincs
Film and Creative Content Producer vacancy in West Midlands
Pioneer Youth Worker vacancy in South
Mission Chaplain vacancy in South West

(I really liked that last one at Lee Abbey - they've advertised before and I looked at it seriously - but I would have had visa issues).

And here's some from Australia:

Ministry Development - Youth Camps (Wantirna, VIC)
http://www.christianjobs.com.au/display-job/18127/Senior-Pastor.html?searchId=1495786455.95&page=10
http://www.christianjobs.com.au/dis...-Minister.html?searchId=1495786455.95&page=14