When Is It Time To Leave Your Ministry Position?
They say the average youth or children’s minister stays in a position about three years. Leaving a ministry position is apparently a common part of our ministry lives. Though I never planned on joining the statistic… my family and I have accepted a position at a church in St. Petersburg, Florida and will be moving from Kansas City in two weeks.
My wife and I have felt for about a year that we’ve been waiting for something but we didn’t know what. Apparently God was preparing our hearts for a transition. Though we weren’t planning to go anywhere, we committed ourselves to prayer and found that God had released us and was calling us elsewhere. I’m pleased to say that we’re leaving on great terms… no drama to report. Our primary reason for the move is to be closer to family. This has become very important to us since we’ve had children.
Once a few years ago, I was going through a pretty dark time in my life. No moral failure or anything like that… I was just “going through” as they say. I was feeling as if I wanted to be done with ministry… that I wanted to leave… to get away from the pressure. I talked to a mentor of mine and he gave me some sound advice that I wanted to share in this context. He asked me to recall when God called me to my current position. I was instantly able to remember that moment. He said, “When it’s time to go, He’ll release you the same way. He called you here… he’ll call you away.” His words really clarified things for me. I realized that leaving wasn’t my choice to make. I remained faithful… and God was good.
So when is it time to leave? When God says. It makes all the difference. On those bad days in ministry sometimes the Call is the only thing that keeps you hanging in there. Knowing that in spite of all of our shortcomings and flaws, that you know that you know that God put you where you are can give us the strength we need to hold on. I’m finding that I need that same assurance as I transition between seasons in ministry. Thank God I have it. I know my future is secure, in spite of all of the unknowns, because we’re following the path that has been laid out for us by our Heavenly Father.
Those of you who may be struggling where you are… I would urge you to remember that moment God called you to be where you are. If you want to leave, ask… but wait for that call to go before you throw in the towel. God still had a lot of work to do on me that would have not been possible if I had left before. If he doesn’t release you it’s because he has unfinished work to do in your life and the lives you minister to. Trust that.
This article is great James. I am currently going through the phase of trying to find my first position. Hearing this advice is very sound and may some day prove itself in my life.
Thank you
Nathanael Smith
Great post! Hope your move and subsequent transition at the new place is seemless!
Very well said. I needed to hear that, I'm "just" a volunteer, and sometimes feel like I'm done… but I remember when I started and I'm sure I'll know when I'm done. Thanks!
Chellejean
Pastor James though i was a bit shocked and suprised to hear you will be leaving i am uplifted by your post and the clarity i see in you following Gods plan for you and your family. I know you will be an awesome asset to any church or ministry. Your have such a great creativity, passion, and positive outlook about you. It has been a pleasure getting to know you thru the years you been here. I ll miss you hope we still some what stay connected. I ll be praying for you, your family, ministry and that your house here sales quickly as well. God Bless you bro.
To infinity and beyond………..lol Tell Jen i said good bye too….
Ohhh leaving a ministry is so different from almost any other job!! I totally feel for you. We all know that a good children’s ministry is not built around YOU (the children’s pastor), but the truth is, when you leave, a LOT OF THINGS have the potential to change. And when things are good, that makes it so hard for the children’s pastor to leave. It also makes it hard for the church to see the children’s pastor leave. If you have almost any other job in the workforce, you can quit and get a new job and not a lot will change at either place of employment. But as a children’s pastor, you’re tied to the church, the people, the building, the relationships in ways that are so personal! This might not always be the case, but when a new children’s pastor comes in, they could change the appearance of the building/paint colors/theme, the name and logo of the children’s ministry, the way the volunteers are recruited/trained, the curriculum, the focus of the ministry, just to name a few! If you’ve done things right and raised up a healthy and strong team of leaders and structure for the ministry, sometimes there won’t be much change during a transition. Change isn’t always a bad thing. And it isn’t always good either! But it can sure be difficult. I know from experience! Hope everything goes smoothly with your transition!!
Hi Pastor, I don’t know you but my heart is in the same place. I’m just a volunteer children’s church coordinater. I’ve been feeling for a while that God has a bigger plan with this ministry and I realized that I’m not that person as a volunteer. I’m a professional therapist and I won’t be able to do this ministry full time. My meeting with my pastors is tommorrow and I pray and know that God has a way of working all this out. thanks for the post and good luck with the new position. (SA)