Anyone up for a chat thread?

[Alizera]

Hello! I signed up for these forums a while back but just kinda forgot about it until now. Just popping in to say hello.

 

[Paidiske]

Hello, Alizera, nice to see you!

 

[BelleC]

Hello! I signed up for these forums a while back but just kinda forgot about it until now. Just popping in to say hello.

Hello, Alizera! Pleased to meet you!

 

[Paidiske]

Big sigh.

A job has been advertised. In many ways it would be my dream job. It would be amazing. And this is the second time it's being advertised.

And it is, in every way, totally the wrong time in my life to apply for it.

I was tempted to try to move mountains and make it happen anyway; I thought it over for days trying to find excuses. But deep down I know it's the wrong move.

I just hate letting it pass by, not knowing if an opportunity like it will ever come up at the right time!

 

[Albion]

Wrong time or not, could you do it (relocate, etc.) if you were to get it? If "yes" you'll probably regret for a long time passing it by.

And if this is like a number of other leadership positions that require a series of interviews and so on, you're not obligated to take the job just because you apply and start through the process. I'm aware of a lot of executive types who apply for important positions they are uncertain about because this is the way to see better what the position would really be like (the facilities, whom you'd be working with, other factors not apparent at first, etc.), and for the experience itself in case some job of similar nature were to came along later.

They often withdraw, citing something personal, when it seems they're close to being offered the job. At first, I couldn't understand this, but after witnessing it a few times, I began to see what was going on.

 

[Paidiske]

Question mark as to whether I could get a visa to work in the country, Albion, but that's not what's stopping me. (Also question mark as to whether my family would deal well with the move and the particular situation, but that, too, could be explored).

It's not the dream job that's the problem; I agree, if it were that I'd apply, go there for an interview, work through that as a discernment process. The problem is the current job and that I'm needed here. It's the wrong time to leave.

 

[Albion]

Question mark as to whether I could get a visa to work in the country, Albion, but that's not what's stopping me. (Also question mark as to whether my family would deal well with the move and the particular situation, but that, too, could be explored).

It's not the dream job that's the problem; I agree, if it were that I'd apply, go there for an interview, work through that as a discernment process. The problem is the current job and that I'm needed here. It's the wrong time to leave.

Hmmm. Those are two factors I hadn't counted on--the job opportunity is in another country and you are really needed in the current one. Because of the second of these--and because you have a strong commitment to it--I think now that you will not kick yourself later on as I first thought might happen. I can see that it's still an unfortunate bit of timing, though.

 

[Paidiske]

I hope not. I remember a piece of advice I was given, when I was first exploring ministry: "Love the people you've got, or why would God give you any more?"

I am seriously exploring the idea of ministry overseas when I do leave this job (which is why I was browsing the job ads in the first place), but the decision to finish up here has to come first, I think.

 

[Albion]

I do admire your dedication to your people, but of course I don't really know anything to speak of about either the overseas position or your duties in your present assignment. I'm just wishing you well and hoping that you aren't passing up something you won't see again.

 

[Paidiske]

Oh, I'll show you the ad for the job. Here: https://jobs.churchtimes.co.uk/jobs/2016/7995/chaplain-in-south-west-jn010925.aspx

I've been in email contact with them and seen the detailed documents etc. The chance to look after the prayer life of an intentional community like this (as well as retreats for outside groups etc) would be amazing ministry; one in which the focus is on prayer and transformative encounter with God, in the context of a community who are all committed to the life of the place etc. No such place exists in Australia and the opportunity is quite unique.

(It'd be intense, and hard work, I imagine, but probably so worth it! Also interesting to work in an ecumenical context etc).

Anyway. Must stop gushing. Somebody else will be the right person!

 

[Albion]

You ARE torn. And it's an unusual enough opportunity that it might NOT come again.

My feeling, FWIW, is that you need to be absolutely sure of your decision and you're not there yet.

 

[Paidiske]

Thanks for that very profound insight.

I think I know what the right decision is, but I want someone to give me permission to ignore that for a while.

 

[Alizera]

If it were me, I'd just apply anyway. Even if you're accepted and turn down the offer, it can help with networking?

 

[Paidiske]

It'd be very expensive to apply, though. Especially if I have to apply for visas and things (and maybe fly over as part of the process?)

I take the point about networking, but the other side of the world is a long way away...

 

[BelleC]

It'd be very expensive to apply, though. Especially if I have to apply for visas and things (and maybe fly over as part of the process?)

I take the point about networking, but the other side of the world is a long way away...

I know nothing about this type of job search but in other areas I can't imagine actually having to go there until/unless both sides thought it was a likely possibility. Especially in the age of phone and Skype interviews.

I pray you'll feel led to pursue or say no definitively!

 

[Shane R]

I have my psych interview tomorrow with one of our two diocesan contacts for such things. The day after, I leave for liturgical training with the Met. Abp. in Charlotte, NC. Those who follow US news know that is not the most peaceable place this week. And, as an aside, I bleached my alb three times and it will pass for ivory now, which I hope is good enough (I think it's actually a near perfect match to our altar frontal's base color now).

Another aside, I was having a discussion about my pectoral cross (regularly an olive wood Celtic cross) with a couple of the parishioners Sunday. I happened to mention that I have a second, which is a crucifix, for the penitential seasons (Advent and Lent, or at least Lent). One of them went ballistic and gave me a good tongue lashing for even contemplating wearing a crucifix in the church. The lynch-pin of her argument: "This is a Protestant church!" I talked to my canon/mentor about this (consequently the lady was his mother-in-law) and he told me more or less that she gets her amusement from controversy and to ignore her and express my own churchmanship.

 

[Paidiske]

Hope the psych interview goes well, shane. Not the most fun aspect of the process, but necessary.

 

[Shane R]

Hope the psych interview goes well, shane. Not the most fun aspect of the process, but necessary.

Thank you.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I have my psych interview tomorrow with one of our two diocesan contacts for such things. The day after, I leave for liturgical training with the Met. Abp. in Charlotte, NC. Those who follow US news know that is not the most peaceable place this week. And, as an aside, I bleached my alb three times and it will pass for ivory now, which I hope is good enough.

Another aside, I was having a discussion about my pectoral cross (regularly an olive wood Celtic cross) with a couple of the parishioners Sunday. I happened to mention that I have a second, which is a crucifix, for the penitential seasons (Advent and Lent, or at least Lent). One of them went ballistic and gave me a good tongue lashing for even contemplating wearing a crucifix in the church. The lynch-pin of her argument: "This is a Protestant church!" I talked to my canon/mentor about this (consequently the lady was his mother-in-law) and he told me more or less that she gets her amusement from controversy and to ignore her and express my own churchmanship.

I do like the language of the Book of Common Prayer. I don't use it myself, but a lot of it is quite Scriptural.

 

[Shane R]

I do like the language of the Book of Common Prayer. I don't use it myself, but a lot of it is quite Scriptural.

You might, then, enjoy Massey H. Shepherd's commentary on the Prayer Book. Sadly, it has been out of print since the 1970's and will cost one upwards of $80 on Amazon or other book sites. It is considered nearly essential literature for postulants within the Continuing Anglican movement. I recently acquired a copy myself and must say: it is informative.