Dilemma regarding calling to full-time ministry

[Bonhoffer]

Hi there,
I'm facing a really difficult ethical dilemma that I really need some advice for.

I've been out of work for nearly four months after working as a care worker. I have felt called to be an evangelist ever since my water baptism nearly three years ago.

anyhow, fed up with not being able to get a job I went to a large prayer meeting a few weeks ago asking God to reveal to me clearly exactly what He wanted me to do. I asked for clarity and direction, and I believe that I got it. I felt God very clearly reveal to me that I would soon be employed as a full-time evangelist by my church. in other words my ministry was to start very soon! and it would also be my job! It was such a suprise and I felt such joy that I feel as certain it was God as I feel that the Bible is from God. after the meeting I also felt God reveal to me how much I would be paid a week to do this ministry. I felt He said £150 a week. (i dont know how much that is in dollars) I feel confident that this is God because when I tried to push Him to £160, I felt Him stop me; and when I tried to be humble by my own doing and lower it to £140, I also felt Him stop me.

Now here is the ethical dilemma.
I feel that God has told me that I will be employed by my church as a minister on £150 a week. However my church hasnt got a clue about this yet.
Now think about it. Unless God reveals this to them in a dream or something, it will be up to me to tell them. Now how on earth am I supposed to tell them? its not the done thing generally to ask people to employ you for a certain wage (when there isnt any known vacancy), but when its the church its even worse! Its like someone inviting themselves to another persons wedding. its just not ethical! I've worked out the the yearly wage for this ministry is nearly £8,000. That means I'll be getting £8,000 of the churches money. Thats £8,000 a year from peoples tithes. Even without the money issue it is hard for me to ask my pastor for a job. But I really can't ask my pastor for a £8,000 a year job!

this is something I really need advice on and prayer about. but to make things even more complicated because of the nature of the situation I cant discuss this or pray about it with anyone from my own church, let alone the elders. its like a catch 22. I need the church to employ me, yet its wrong for me to ask for them to do so!
A very tricky situation!

Has anyone on here got any advice? I'd especially like to hear from pastors and elders. what would you do if someone in your congregation came and said all this?

 

[MaraPetra]

First off, congratulations on getting a strong, clear vision!

I will tell you from experience that, if God promises, nothing of this earth will stop things as they occur...Just keep in God's will, keep praying for those doors to open, and keep waiting on Him.

I will speak to you of my experience. For three years, I was a volunteer nursery director for a church. My husband backslid very badly (he who once revealed his own vision of future evangelism), and that spiritual fire that was in his eyes died. In pain, I cried out to God for my husband.

He didn't answer at first.

Then, my husband's ex-wife got saved. A few weeks later, she asked my husband to go to her church, so that their kids could attend the same church every Sunday.

My husband asked me to do this, and my flesh resisted. I was part of a thriving ministry, and I was emotionally attached to my babies and my fellow ministry workers. I couldn't just leave them.

I prayed again.

And this time, God answered in a calm, loving voice. If I were to leave this ministry, I was promised a fuller ministry. I was reminded of a prayer I often did, that I be an instrument of God, merely His tool in His works.

That voice awed me. When I re-questioned what was said, He repeated the words, and told me that I would have my husband back, better than ever. I would find more love. The works done thus far were just a stepping stone in His plan for both my husband and myself. All these things would be restored...In a measure that was shaken, packed, and running over!

Well, who am I to question God when He's so clear?

I grieved when I left the nursery ministry and my church. I felt as though I abandoned the kids, and the workers who had worked so faithfully. This sacrificing HURT! And I didn't know what I was going into.

At the new church, the children's ministry awed me...THREE rooms were just nursery, and the whole second floor was children's ministry rooms! For two months, I just attended church, soaking in the Word, but I looked at those nurseries with longing. I felt there was something missing in my heart.

Finally, I approached the Nursery Director and asked to volunteer in the nursery. Within two weeks, I was in nursery again...As the lowliest of volunteers. I just praised God that I was doing the work I was meant to do! It didn't matter to me that I was just an assistant volunteer...Every time I left that nursery, my heart was filled with the Holy Spirit, like I had just left the most earth-shattering service ever given.

That was four months ago.

Tonight, right after I finish this reply, I need to get ready. You see, a few weeks ago, the Nursery Director came to me and asked me to come on as paid staff. I didn't want to at first, because I don't want the church's money...But when I prayed on it, a sense of peace, belonging and happiness filled my heart. Those same emotions exploded when I handed in my application and background check papers for employment. The feeling that God gives you to let you know you're in His will is nothing short of explosive.

Tonight is my formal interview for the church. Of course, there's nothing 'formal' about it...The director has seen me in action on quite a few occasions already.

As for my backslid husband...He's studying theology, in preparation for his minister's license. Four months ago, I was the forced spiritual leader of our family. Now, he's back in that role, a man on fire for God, in love with his family, and addicted to Jesus.

The moral of the story is, if God says it will happen, it will happen. He will not renege on His promises to you. Trust in the Lord, wait on Him, and He will bring all things to you in ways that will astound you.

Find a niche in your church, be faithful in what you do, and make yourself available as a tool. Before you know it, you'll be sharing your testimony here, too.

You can check my blog to see how God has taken this very ordinary family, and turned us all into something extraordinary...All for His glory!

God bless and keep you, my friend.

 

[soda]

wow.

 

[CasaLuz]

I have received words of knowledge for a very long time, but I thought it was just me making this up or figuring it out somehow. Over the past couple years, I have learned to submit the words of knowledge to others for confirmation. I have been surprised at how right on I have been (not alway perfect, though) and so have the people who I had words of knowlege about. Twice, I have presented words of knowledge to people at my church about their childhood and, although I was not 100% perfect, there was enough truth there for me to realize that this gifting was for real.

So my recommendation is submit the word to the church leadership. If they turn you down, it's not the end of the world and and if you are right, that will be a very good thing. Just do it humbly, like, "I believe the Lord said this to me....", the worst they could tell you is you heard wrong. In any ministry situation, you will face rejection. It is important to be willing to accept that rejection as a learning tool and as a way of becoming more humble. But, then again, you might be right about your word and they do have a need but they just haven't announced it or thought it through.

I think you really need to at least ask them. Just my opinion from one who got into ministry by wrestling the angel like Jacob. Sometimes it isn't handed to you on silver platter and sometimes it is.

 

[Highland Watchman]

Have you thought of submitting a resume, as a "just in case" thing? Even if it is "to see if there are any openings for an evangelist"... And then go and do the work of evangelist. Let God do the rest of the work on the church board and pastor. Do approach other church members about prayer for the evangelism ministry, and bring some ideas for the evangelism to the pastor, to present to him.

You might be looked at like you are crazy, but hey - how did they look at any of God's servants?

 

[Forealzchola]

make sure and fast on this, that this is truly the Holy Spirit speaking to you...in regards to His plan for your life...God wants you to serve Him and He will provide for you...You seem to caught up in money figures...and this is an issue that you need to pray about with the elders of your church...as they will be letting the Holy Spirit lead them if this is what God has for the church...do you have a biblical theology based degree? God bless

 

[jsimms615]

Hi there,
I'm facing a really difficult ethical dilemma that I really need some advice for.

I've been out of work for nearly four months after working as a care worker. I have felt called to be an evangelist ever since my water baptism nearly three years ago.

anyhow, fed up with not being able to get a job I went to a large prayer meeting a few weeks ago asking God to reveal to me clearly exactly what He wanted me to do. I asked for clarity and direction, and I believe that I got it. I felt God very clearly reveal to me that I would soon be employed as a full-time evangelist by my church. in other words my ministry was to start very soon! and it would also be my job! It was such a suprise and I felt such joy that I feel as certain it was God as I feel that the Bible is from God. after the meeting I also felt God reveal to me how much I would be paid a week to do this ministry. I felt He said £150 a week. (i dont know how much that is in dollars) I feel confident that this is God because when I tried to push Him to £160, I felt Him stop me; and when I tried to be humble by my own doing and lower it to £140, I also felt Him stop me.

Now here is the ethical dilemma.
I feel that God has told me that I will be employed by my church as a minister on £150 a week. However my church hasnt got a clue about this yet.
Now think about it. Unless God reveals this to them in a dream or something, it will be up to me to tell them. Now how on earth am I supposed to tell them? its not the done thing generally to ask people to employ you for a certain wage (when there isnt any known vacancy), but when its the church its even worse! Its like someone inviting themselves to another persons wedding. its just not ethical! I've worked out the the yearly wage for this ministry is nearly £8,000. That means I'll be getting £8,000 of the churches money. Thats £8,000 a year from peoples tithes. Even without the money issue it is hard for me to ask my pastor for a job. But I really can't ask my pastor for a £8,000 a year job!

this is something I really need advice on and prayer about. but to make things even more complicated because of the nature of the situation I cant discuss this or pray about it with anyone from my own church, let alone the elders. its like a catch 22. I need the church to employ me, yet its wrong for me to ask for them to do so!
A very tricky situation!

Has anyone on here got any advice? I'd especially like to hear from pastors and elders. what would you do if someone in your congregation came and said all this?

I don't know why you think you need to ask them about it. If it is of God won't they come to you? I would just make it a matter of prayer and make yourself available. I don't know how it is set up there, but you could simply let your pastor know that you want to do evangelism and want opportunities to speak when they are open and put the ball in his court to ask you when they are ready.
If it is of God then you won't have to force things to happen. If it's just your imagination then it will not.
God cannot lie.

 

[candleflame]

Hi there,
I'm facing a really difficult ethical dilemma that I really need some advice for.

I've been out of work for nearly four months after working as a care worker. I have felt called to be an evangelist ever since my water baptism nearly three years ago.

anyhow, fed up with not being able to get a job I went to a large prayer meeting a few weeks ago asking God to reveal to me clearly exactly what He wanted me to do. I asked for clarity and direction, and I believe that I got it. I felt God very clearly reveal to me that I would soon be employed as a full-time evangelist by my church. in other words my ministry was to start very soon! and it would also be my job! It was such a suprise and I felt such joy that I feel as certain it was God as I feel that the Bible is from God. after the meeting I also felt God reveal to me how much I would be paid a week to do this ministry. I felt He said £150 a week. (i dont know how much that is in dollars) I feel confident that this is God because when I tried to push Him to £160, I felt Him stop me; and when I tried to be humble by my own doing and lower it to £140, I also felt Him stop me.

Now here is the ethical dilemma.
I feel that God has told me that I will be employed by my church as a minister on £150 a week. However my church hasnt got a clue about this yet.
Now think about it. Unless God reveals this to them in a dream or something, it will be up to me to tell them. Now how on earth am I supposed to tell them? its not the done thing generally to ask people to employ you for a certain wage (when there isnt any known vacancy), but when its the church its even worse! Its like someone inviting themselves to another persons wedding. its just not ethical! I've worked out the the yearly wage for this ministry is nearly £8,000. That means I'll be getting £8,000 of the churches money. Thats £8,000 a year from peoples tithes. Even without the money issue it is hard for me to ask my pastor for a job. But I really can't ask my pastor for a £8,000 a year job!

this is something I really need advice on and prayer about. but to make things even more complicated because of the nature of the situation I cant discuss this or pray about it with anyone from my own church, let alone the elders. its like a catch 22. I need the church to employ me, yet its wrong for me to ask for them to do so!
A very tricky situation!

Has anyone on here got any advice? I'd especially like to hear from pastors and elders. what would you do if someone in your congregation came and said all this?

One of the things about a call from God is that it needs to be tested out by the church, thats biblical. So you need to consider why it is you feel you cant talk to the elders of your church . Perhaps God has been talking to them too and they are just waiting to find out who God has set aside to do the work for the church. If you feel the whole elders is a bit too daunting then is there one person in the church who you respect and the church respects that you could talk it over with and advise you? Money is always an emotive issue but my experience and the experience of others is that if God calls then he equips you to do the job. Prayers with you.