When is it time to go?

[kidsminister]

Without giving any details on my particular situation (I'm a children's pastor), I am just interested in getting the opinions of others in FT ministry who have left ministerial positions...

1. Why did you leave?

2. When did you know it was time to throw in the towel and find a new church?

3. What made you stay as long as you did?

 

[AbelaJohnB]

Howdie,

I get asked this question a LOT as the owner of www.AGJobs.Org which is a website for pastors to post resumes and churches to post open positions.

So often pastors get either burned or burned out that they decide to throw in the towel.

From my own experiences, I can say that I KNEW I was suppose to leave youth ministry when I was in it. I *clearly* heard from the Spirit to get out. Yet, I didn't. For two years I suffered, my kids suffered, and the entire ministry suffered.

I've always felt that you know when it's time to leave because our Creator will tell you, and if you don't listen to Him, the situations in your life will tell you.

 

[kidsminister]

Adela,

Then it'll come as no surprise to you when I tell you that I'm A/G, too .

What about "shaking the dust off your feet" and leaving, as Jesus told the disciples? What if God isn't necessarily calling me to a new opportunity, but I feel like I've done all I can there? I don't know if it's God leading me out, or just me throwing in the towel. I think of leaving, and I think of having to look my senior pastor, who I absolutely love, in the eyes, and tell him that I just don't see any hope for my ministry there. I don't think anyone on our pastoral staff does...it's just a matter of who speaks up first. I think about the kids who have just started coming; the kids I have built relationships with. I wouldn't just be quitting a job; I'd be losing my church family as well.

I was raised not to be a quitter, or to be a church hopper. In this case, I feel like I'd be both.

 

[rodimus321]

Why do you think there is no hope, is there no support, kids don't come, what? Maybe as a leadership team you need to discuss this. Does the senior pastor know how you feel, if not you should talk to him. All pastors have highs and lows and satan really attacks us on the lows. Besides these all I can say is pray, pray, pray.