Sometimes words come easily to me, but on rare occasions there’s simply too much to get out, and this is just one of those times, so here’s the short version of the story: I’m transitioning out of formal church ministry. I still feel called to preach and teach God’s word, but I don’t believe there’s a place for someone like me in formal ministry in the western Church. So I will be praying as I look for opportunities to continue preaching and teaching God’s word.
Our experience with the Church in the States has been mixed: on the one hand, we’ve met some profoundly godly people who have devoted their lives to serving Jesus and loving his people; we’ve witnessed tremendous generosity, self-sacrifice, and love. But, on the other hand, we’ve encountered vicious gossip, slander, ambition, worldliness, apathy, and seen human traditions taking the place of God’s commands. I believe the Church in America is coming under God’s judgment because we’ve gotten comfortable in this world and are no longer sojourners here!
But none of this is why I’m transitioning out of formal ministry. So why am I then?
I think the simplest answer is that I don’t trust the institutional church to take care of my family anymore. In a spiritual climate such as the one here in the States, I think someone like me is going to offend the wrong people and won’t be welcomed long in most churches. Since returning to the States in 2020, we’ve uprooted twice, with my last ministry lasting less than ten months. And these transitions are hurting my family, especially my children, who see plainly what the adults are either too dense or simply unwilling to see. We have to find a healthy church for my kids to worship God and grow in Christ. Unfortunately, the interview process for hiring ministers is a real obstacle to assessing a congregation’s health because you have limited time to get to know them before you must either accept the position or reject their offer and move on to the next church.
I want to be clear: I’m not leaving the Church. I love God’s Church. I believe the Church is where every Christian belongs. And my calling is to preach the word. By the testimony of every church I’ve served in, both in the States and abroad, I’m an effective teacher who can reach diverse audiences, raise faithful disciples, and reach the lost. So, I will continue to use my gifts to build up the Lord’s body.
So what am I going to do?
First, my family and I have to get back on our feet. We have returned to Kansas City, where we’re looking for a church to worship with where I can eventually serve as-needed (we may have already found one!) I’m going to take time to focus on my family, we’ll get our feet under us, and start building natural Christian relationships.
Alongside this, I’m going to look for ways to develop my teaching ministry. Once I see what life is going to look like for our family, I’m going to look for ways I can preach and teach. One idea I’m considering is a Biblical exposition series that works through the Bible and focuses on various life applications for the Christian life, for discipleship, for the home, and for raising children (etc). I’m also considering getting more active on YouTube.
I don’t know what the future looks like for me and my family, but I’m reminded of Abraham, who was called by God to leave his home and go to a place God would show him. His journey was anything but straight. He took turns he probably never expected to take. I’m sure Egypt wasn’t a stop he expected to make. But God was with him. And that’s what I know about us: God is with us! So we’ll simply trust and obey!
So thank you, everyone, for taking the time to read this update! Let me know in the comments below what kind of Biblical content you feel you’re lacking the most in your life and I’ll put it among the things I look at developing in the coming months!
A Dedicated Faith 
I have a couple problems with your perspective. You mention assessing the churches health. That is a bogus condescending view of how things work.
There is usually a few controlling people and a few hard workers. Teaching the jargon of the church doesn’t change the character of people, including yours.
Second, the roll of pastor should be part of the 5 fold ministry and possibly the teaching is a learned but also natural talent. But the content is not complex. The roll of a pastor is to bring people into full relationship with Jesus Christ and to help organize the expansion of the kingdom and its converting/transforming mission. So a “troubled” church is exactly where you want to be, because like you everyone of them are damaged goods, equals saved by grace all in a separate journey but with one common cause.
Personally each person has to loose contempt for God and put confidence in God but that also has to happen with people including you. Understanding there is a conflict of contempt and self means you learn to be mature.
To be a pastor you need to be a professional conflict manager. You need to eat it for breakfast which will give you heart burn. It also means you need to lack the need to control to feel safe.
The church is not tasked at being your safety net.
In my view a church has a construct in an organizational way in who does what and how functional it is, and then it has staffing paid and unpaid and then it has attending contributors who range from fit and unfit people. Typically the board of elders end up being a mix of controlling and more bible reading called people, if the mix is mostly uncaring, manipulative people you are in trouble, people dont change a whole lot. And some of the supposed best ministers are actually not. They may be able to teach but you wouldn’t enjoy their friendship or christian character. And the same goes for board members. Assessing that cant be done by preaching once while they stand in judgment of your skill set and likeability.
LikeLike
When I read your reply, it does not seem like you’ve taken the time to understand what I wrote. Instead, it feels like you’re reacting from your own frame of reference with thoughts that largely miss where I’m coming from, which leaves little to connect on.
All I can say is that I’ve found a small local church where my family and I can fellowship while I focus on my family and, as God opens doors, look for ways to serve God during this season of life.
LikeLike