Hi Jim -

I respect your decision to leave. It is a risk to leave, just as it was a risk to enter. I know what you mean when you say the church takes more than it gives back..

All the best in your future endeavours. I hope and pray that your new job will be fulfilling and meet all your family's needs.
mis_nomer | Homepage | 12.12.05 - 11:01 pm | #

Jim,

What a hard decision to have to make. Grace to you..and some ice for your bruised cheeks.

Nicole
Nicole | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 12:37 am | #

Jim, it seems almost surreal that this has finally taken place. I am excited to see what God has in store for your life. I will be praying for you, you can be sure of that.

Thank you for all your investment in my life. Regardless of your position in a church, you impacted my life. For that I am thankful
matt | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 2:12 am | #

Wow. That's a big move, man. It's sad that it sounds like it was the right one for you to make. There's a lot to be ashamed of in our churches, and you know how I feel about this particular topic. Sorry you got burned.

Blessings in this transition. And may God continue to present you with opportunities to minister, even if you've left "the ministry."
zalm | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 3:32 am | #

Thanks for your thoughts.

Zalm, I don't know that I think of myself as burned, but as often happens with me, it may be that others are naming reality before I am willing to.

Know for certain that I will continue to be ministering. In fact, I look at this move as a good and necessary thing for my personal ministry (if I can use such a term).

I still love the Church, I just don't want to work for her.
Jim | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 7:10 am | #

Go get 'em, Jim. You now have freedom to minister in ways you've never dreamed of. God bless you.
Randy McRoberts | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 8:55 am | #

As a fellow worker with bruised cheeks let me personally thank you for ministering to me for the last twelve years.

Your friendship and example have helped to guide me through some pretty great and some really tough times. You have helped me to see things from an introvert's point of view and that has caused my world view to grow dramatically.

Most importantly, you have loved me. That is what ministry is all about. You don't need a stupid job at a stupid church to do that.

There is a long line of people like me who have dramatically grown in their faith because of you. There will be more, I'm sure of it.

Lastly, you are one of the funniest people you know! You know it in your heart!
Brett | 12.13.05 - 10:09 am | #

Well, I'm a bit ashamed to admit that I was consumed by not knowing whether to continue blogging, while you were making this life-changing decision.

But I will echo what's been said before: ministry is too important to leave it to "ministers" (paid...however poorly...staff, that is). Throughout my life I've been impacted in good ways far more by everyday lay people who are truly in the world without being of it, than by all the accumulated great preachers and pastors I've sat under.

I believe God will honor the sincerity and wisdom of your decision, as you choose to honor Him via a new channel. May He grant you the desires of your heart!
Eric | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 10:34 am | #

Thanks, all of you. Randy and Eric, your very encouraging words mean a great deal to me. I know we've never met in "meatspace" and perhaps never will, but I've found that men of faith don't really need to meet in person to give each other the word of the Lord.

Randy, thank you for the link and the good word at your place. U D man, bro.

Eric, this decision was made months ago, it just took that long to bring it to fruition. There's no need to be ashamed. For what it's worth, I think you should continue blogging as I and others look forward to your every post. That will be true whether I'm employed by a church or not, and whether or not you use impact as a verb in your comments

Brett,

You know darn well I'm funny. You also know that every word you wrote in that comment to me, I could easily write to you. Except for the part about being an introvert, which you are not. That church you work for had better continue to do right by you -- 'cause I pray.

Peace, all of you.

Incidentally, Joy's first day in the new gig was yesterday. She seemed encouraged, and even more so when she came home and her wonderful husband had dinner ready. :-D
Jim | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 10:56 am | #

wonderful husband had dinner ready

OK, amigo...you're treadin' dangerous ground there!
Eric | Homepage | 12.13.05 - 10:29 pm | #

That dinner was mighty tasty too!
Jim | Homepage | 12.14.05 - 6:50 am | #

Hey Jim,

Blessings in your new occupation, and may God heal the wounds quickly.
Stephen | Homepage | 12.22.05 - 1:56 pm | #