Comments on Jonathan Dow: Should I Get a Regular Job?

Yes you know me. I just kept it anonymous because ...

2011-10-14T00:38:31.925-07:00

Yes you know me. I just kept it anonymous because I figured you are more likely to receive and respond to the post with complete objectivity, not that you are a respecter of persons. Plus I forgot my gmail password.

Oh, and I made a mistake in my post. I don't do full time ministry. I don't have any idea why I wrote that. It sounded good though, didn't it? Yah, it is hard to think of quitting teaching a Bible study. As you've said, this is certainly a matter of prayer and being sensitive to how the Lord is leading you. I'll keep praying for you.

I've had full time jobs before that I would ru...

2011-10-13T15:32:15.064-07:00

I've had full time jobs before that I would rush out the door at 5 to go lead a Bible Study somewhere. I've had other full time jobs where it was easy to do ministry there and at church... but I wasn't as busy at church. I'm at the place now that I think I would have to stop teaching one of my Bible Studies if I were to get a full time job again. It's not easy for me to consider that option.

Anyway, do I know you? Are you in Chico? I should probably take the Anonymous comment option out because I can't have a relationship with people I don't know.

I work full time but do full time ministry. And I ...

2011-10-13T14:39:30.938-07:00

I work full time but do full time ministry. And I sleep 8 hours a day...well I try to. That's because wherever I am, I am faithful to minister to those around me, to share my testimony and the Lord with them, and to be a witness to them for my Lord-both with words and without. And sometimes the Lord develops ministry around me in my job or wherever I have to be, to the point in which that BECOMES my ministry.

The ministry I do specifically at church is also something I love and crave. And the truth is that I am torn for lack of much extra time to spend in that department as I want. I want to spend much more time developing our children and youth ministry. And sometimes I can't go to church on Sunday because of work, and that is also very difficult. Especially when you're "in ministry." But, for now, even though I don't get to spend as much time doing "church ministry" because of work, the Lord is still having an impact in people around me because He is working through me wherever I am. I could cut my hours down so I can work in church ministry more, but I feel that I am in a season right now in which I can learn a lot in my job, I can earn and save, and if and when I have a family, I will no longer be in that season of working a full-time secular job because my family will take priority. And at that point it will probably make more sense to be more active in ministry with church because my family will also be involved.

And just as you are always ministering wherever you are, you would have an impact also even in a secular job. Unless you work in a hotel at night alone-ish, or somewhere else that kind of works around your church schedule but compromises your ability to engage with people you work around (because it's a one-man job or something).

It seems like your ideal job is one in which you are around people, and even better, children because God has gifted you for ministering to children and people. Of course sometimes we work any job until we eventually can work our way into a job we like better, because we have to start somewhere.

The Bible says that if you don't work, you don't eat. Well if you and your family are fully supported by a church that allows your work to be "ministry" then great. But if not or until then, someone's gotta win the bread, right? Will it be you or your prospective wife?

still praying

2011-09-25T23:09:26.831-07:00

still praying

Update us and let us know what God has been leadin...

2011-09-25T22:33:15.240-07:00

Update us and let us know what God has been leading you to do...