Needing advice

[kerux]

I am Senior Pastor of a ministry I founded which was originally setup to reach people of all different backgrounds. It has now become a school of ministry, which is fine, except that I don't think God wants me to operate in that type of ministry.

I am considering stepping down as SP and starting a new ministry which is more in tune with what God has called me to do.

Should I proceed with stepping down, or should I stay and start another ministry as well.

 

[clonenomore]

Mike,

Let me state at the outset that I do not claim to know God's plan for you. He might want you to stay with your other ministry, He may want you to strike out and start another minstry -- I just don't know. I would suggest that you pray.

However, you did say that you did not feel that God wanted you where you currently are. You know as well as I do that this is one of the methods that God uses to "nudge" us in the direction that He wants us to go.

When I first answered the call to preach, I thought that God wanted me to preach in the United Methodist Church (UMC). I went through the UMC candidacy guidebook with a mentor. I enrolled at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. I started to prepare my family for living within the itinerant system of the UMC -- where the preachers serve from June to June and are subject to move every few years. After all of that, I really struggled with going to Candler, which is a very liberal seminary. Finally, I got down and said, "God, why am I having these issues? Why do you want me to go to Candler when it makes me so uncomfortable?" God answered, "I didn't send you there. You CHOSE that. I'm trying to nudge you away from there." I realized that I am not called to preach in the UMC, and I felt so much better. I realize that God has called me to start a ministry to try to reach those that normally wouldn't set foot in a church -- people just like me a few years ago.

What I am trying to say -- rather ineffectively I guess -- is that your feelings are more than likely from God. Sit still, listen. Talk to your wife. I will keep you and your ministry in my prayers -- I hope that you will keep me in yours as well.

 

[kerux]

Thanks for the input Mark.