Need some advice...

[elementcs13]

I'm 24, still living with my parents, and have been working at an Office Depot for a little over 3 years now. It's been very heavy on my heart to move on...

I have no problems living with my parents, but I just feel like it's time for me to be more responsible and live on my own. I feel like it would cause me to focus more on God, life, and my future.

Also, I'm ready to leave my job. Our workplace was always a family, we had chemistry and to be honest, they were the only reason I stayed there. Now the company is making so many changes and 5 of my co-workers have left in the past month or so.

I'm DONE with retail jobs, and I just want to work somewhere where I can help others and spread the gospel. I want a job where I can serve God to the max.

I have on my heart to start a skateboarding ministry and skatepark, but I'm so... unprepared... and afraid. I've been saving up a lot of money, but I'm nowhere near the money I would need to start this skatepark.

What would you do?

Prayer and advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[saved24]

Keep praying! it would be great if you had someone to do this with! what does your Pastor or Youth Pastor think of this? to have a church back you up would be very good. Praying for you as you make this decision.

 

[ezeric]

Dear Elementcs13,

I recognize some of the thoughts you have, that I had.

First off, you are already 'in' ministry already, right where you are.

Ah, you might reply to me; "I can't preach to the people in the store, I could get fired".

Who said preach and minister were the same, and also what are you afraid to lose?
My point is we have to get the revelation that GOD has strategically placed people and circumstances in front of you, so that you can pray (and see results) and love/serve others far beyond what anyone else can do...and speak faith to a faithless world out there.

And please don't quit your job unless you have another one, or GOD has made it as powerful and obvious to do it - otherwise stay where you are "ministering" /serving others.

As for moving out of home (parents), that is another area that you pray and let love lead you. Perhaps it would be best for everyone, but it would also slow down your saving funds for a skate park project too.

Moving here or there (work or home) wont change much of anything (in my opinion) but rather taking responsibility and serving (work or home) right where you are - will!

And your mention of a 'skateboard ministry' is a noble one, but how can you minister (which really means serving), at a skateboard park, when you can't do that in your home and work today? With the people all around you? They are your testing grounds. This is part of your wilderness, if you will.

If you can't stand for GOD and serve others right where you are, what makes you think you can do it, later some place else?

And if you are serving GOD right where you are, then it should be joy with results and things happening (because GOD is in it).

-eric

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

I'm 24, still living with my parents, and have been working at an Office Depot for a little over 3 years now. It's been very heavy on my heart to move on...

I have no problems living with my parents, but I just feel like it's time for me to be more responsible and live on my own. I feel like it would cause me to focus more on God, life, and my future.

Also, I'm ready to leave my job. Our workplace was always a family, we had chemistry and to be honest, they were the only reason I stayed there. Now the company is making so many changes and 5 of my co-workers have left in the past month or so.

I'm DONE with retail jobs, and I just want to work somewhere where I can help others and spread the gospel. I want a job where I can serve God to the max.

I have on my heart to start a skateboarding ministry and skatepark, but I'm so... unprepared... and afraid. I've been saving up a lot of money, but I'm nowhere near the money I would need to start this skatepark.

What would you do?

Prayer and advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

very few people actively seek God's leading; most people in such a situation would likely be led by the desire to escape conflict, or be led by more money/benefits elsewhere - but if all the Christians leave in such a situation, who do they abandon that place to?

God will lead you to pursue goals that you can't achieve on your own; this is protection so that you don't fall into pride by leaning on your own understanding and strength. God's supply comes as you go where He leads, He doesn't first give you every resource required as this would leave you to be tempted to lean on your own understanding and strength. so i would seek God's leading.

this should help:

How To Find God's Will - Audio Teaching - Andrew Wommack Ministries

 

[tturt]

It's expensive to move. So checking out the necessary deposits would be good thing to do if you haven't already done so. Definitely wouldn't quit my job until there's a lot more of a plan. (Realize that Yahweh is well able).

As far as skateboarding ministry and skatepark, you might want to check out Stephen Baldwin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia especially the AsSalt Tours portion. Maybe talk with some of their crew.

 

[Inkachu]

I'm 24, still living with my parents, and have been working at an Office Depot for a little over 3 years now. It's been very heavy on my heart to move on...

I have no problems living with my parents, but I just feel like it's time for me to be more responsible and live on my own. I feel like it would cause me to focus more on God, life, and my future.

Also, I'm ready to leave my job. Our workplace was always a family, we had chemistry and to be honest, they were the only reason I stayed there. Now the company is making so many changes and 5 of my co-workers have left in the past month or so.

I'm DONE with retail jobs, and I just want to work somewhere where I can help others and spread the gospel. I want a job where I can serve God to the max.

I have on my heart to start a skateboarding ministry and skatepark, but I'm so... unprepared... and afraid. I've been saving up a lot of money, but I'm nowhere near the money I would need to start this skatepark.

What would you do?

Prayer and advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Dreams are awesome, but you can't throw practicality out the window just because you feel passionate about an idea. You still need living expenses, rent, food, gas, utilities, clothes, medical, etc... and most ministries are begun with either a good chunk of disposable "seed" money, or by gathering steady donations from partners and supporters around the community. You need to plot out the exact costs of your idea before you start planning it. Maybe meet with some local business advisors (try to find some free "small business" seminars or something similar). You would need the money to buy the land (are you ready to have a mortgage?), build the park, pay all the zoning and building permit application costs and fees, pay taxes on it every year, etc.

I would recommend getting a better-paying full-time job, and pursuing your skate park/ministry ideas in your free time.

 

[Autumnleaf]

You are ready to quit your job and get your own place.

Go for it. Let us know how it works out for you. But seriously, don't you see how doing those tow things work against each other?

But sometimes that can work out.

 

[Billy Bayou]

Keep working, start the park or ministering at a park on the side. When the time you spend at the park consumes you to the point that you need to go to part time at the store, take that step. If you need to quit the store in order to keep up with the growth and response from the park, then quit. Let God show you. If it is His will, you won't have time or need for another source of income.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Well just make sure you are sure its God telling you its time to move on and not the world saying it. Often in america we are force fed lines about laving the house at 18 and being independent. Actually with the economy how it is many people (and even couples) have moved back home in order to support each other and themselves.

I know myself being disabled, I can't move even if I wanted to because my monthly check doens't cover any place to live around her. Not unless I never want to eat or drink again. I am now married and my wife will be living in my parents house with me. Which for us works well because we can support each other until God blessed me with better health so I can work again or until my wife gets a good enough job to move out.

 

[parsley]

Check your town's plans, and see if they already have a skate park in the works. If it's municipal, they will hire people to be guards and spotters -- youth mentors. Not great pay, but if it's your calling, then you can always deliver pizza off hours.

 

[QueSeraSera]

Stay with your parents .Keep saving money .

You are fortunate.

See that as an opportunity handed to you by God.

 

[writtenword]

I agree with Eric and QueSeraSera. Home support from parents is an incredible blessing, and once you ring that bell it's hard to unring it in the future. Besides, the act of living alone (by itself) doesn't automatically make people more stable.

I notice you said you wanted to get serious about your skate ministry now because A) you're burned out with retail and B) your employer is annoying you. My personal opinion is that it's never a good idea to make a decision on negative emotions. I'm not telling you to put off your ministry. I simply think it would be wise to seek some counsel and ask the Lord to give you direction.

I also don't know why you would have to quit your job right away to start a ministry. Most ministries start as hobbies and then grow into part time work before they grow into a career.

 

[LoricaLady]

Since you asked I will be frank. In this economy I would not want to invest time and money into something that is not essential. When and if (I think they will personally)_ things get worse, people will not be spending much money on nonessentials. Further, also to be frank, some people like to sue others to get more money, whether they have really been harmed or not. A skateboarding park would be a sitting duck for that kind of thing I believe.

The insurance would probably be prohibitive.

There is nothing wrong with living with your parents unless you are right that it impededs yoru spiritual development. We are told to not get into debt. If it were me I would live there at least long enough to get a good savings account built up.

No matter where you go, retail or elsewhere, and that certainly can include Churches, you are going to see some real not nice people. The only answer is to pray for guidance and keep praying (and praising - we are told to praise far more than we are told to pray) until you get an answer. It may take some time.

Praying for you to be led in the paths you should go.

 

[parsley]

Any large initiative is going to involve a lot of risk. That doesn't make it right or wrong, unless you dash too far ahead to manage the risk. Quitting your job is dashing. As you say, you're unprepared-- but I don't think the money is the main area of preparation.

Start talking with people who know how to do it. Get online and hear people's stories and how they resolved woes (okay you're online, lol). Learn what your risks are.

There are people who invested with partners who left town with all the money. Or embezzled and denied it. Partners were lazy or pushed it in a different direction. Insurance companies can deny coverage. Towns can require a certain amount of bushes/fences/signs/parking/locks/spotters. Equipment can break. Skaters can break. Townspeople can complain you're running a ministry on public property. Injured people can sue you, even when you have insurance (get incorporated).

Start working these things out. How will you deal with each one if they come up. Who will be your back-up people you can run to when something goes wrong. Will you have an accountant, a lawyer, a church behind you.

Retail can be annoying and lacking promise, but the customers might be the same people you will run into in your skate park. Your unreasonable boss will be your business, the town, the visitors, and anyone who places demands on you. It can be well worth the effort to start your own business or ministry, but also very consuming.

Get ready for it!

 

[Cactus Jack]

I'm praying for you that you choose the right direction to go and that you someday fulfill your dream!