For me, this Sunday will mark my last day as a minister. Sunday morning I will teach my last class at Goodwood Blvd Church of Christ. I will give my goodbye hugs and then take one last trip to Florida with my family before I go up to Searcy in order to begin my new job.

My new job title is Records Coordinator, not minister. My work will be at a treatment center for teenage boys, not a church. I will no longer be required to host Tuesday night Bible studies, travel to Honduras for two weeks during the summer, or plan the other numerous events associated with being an Associate Minister. For the first time in about 6 years I will be free to go “church shopping.” I have been use to be one of the members greeting the visitors and I wonder how I will handle the transition. It has been over 3 years since I have had the opportunity to simply sit in a class and learn rather than teach. I won’t have to leave early on Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon for an elders meeting.

But will I ever stop being a minister? I believe very strongly that every member is a minister. From observation I do believe that the axiom 80% of the work gets done by 20% of people is true. I definitely want to be in that 20% wherever we go. But also believe that one of the keys to being a good minister is equipping others so that you don’ have to shoulder the load yourself. So I am praying that when we get to Searcy that we can find a congregation that can use our talents to further God’s kingdom.

If there is anyone out there who has some advice about making the transition from church to “secular” work, I would to hear it!

Tags: Church, Minister, Ministry