There is something that seems to have been overlooked in the recent financial hullabaloo. Everything and everybody has been affected by the economy. Thousands of people have lost their jobs. What seems to have been overlooked, however, is the difficulty in ministry jobs. Because churches have experienced plummeting giving, they’ve had to let staff go. Perhaps you’re a pastor who’s been caught in a difficult situation. Maybe you’re an amazing media director that the church simply can’t take on. Now there is a large number of people without ministry positions, and therefore without a job or income. What do you do when you’re without a ministry–without a job?
Friends and family
Job recruiters and job placement specialists will all tell you the same thing. Your best safety net when you’ve lost your job is a lot of family and friends who know you’re jobless and will help you hunt. The bigger your Rolodex, the quicker you’ll find a job. Obviously, things are a bit different when it comes to looking for ministry positions, but the principle holds true. Let your friends know. Call up your family. Ask around. You may find something quicker than you thought, as long as you talk to as many people as you can.
The Internet
There are plenty of online resources for ministry jobs. Just as Sharefaith offers a low-cost resource to churches and ministries, so other businesses may offer low-cost services to the same. Many of these job placement sites offer free services for ministry candidates. You can upload a resume, and give yourself exposure to those who may be looking for a pastor or church administrator. Here are some sites you may wish to look at: http://www.christianjobs.com/, http://www.churchjobs.net/, http://www.pastorpositions.net/, http://www.churchstaffing.com/, http://www.pastorfinder.com/
Denomination networks
If you are part of an organized denomination, inform the denominational headquarters of your situation. They may provide resources or guidance for finding a new ministry. Or they may even know of a position that you can fill immediately. Even if you aren’t part of an organized denomination, you may have a fellowship of like-minded churches whom you can call about available positions.
College or seminary placement programs
Most Bible colleges, seminaries, and other ministry education centers have an organized way of connecting ministry personnel with ministry needs. Churches from all over the country will call or email colleges or universities to inform them of these needs. The college or university will, in turn, allow ministry candidates, graduates, or other ministry position-seekers to browse these needs and submit their resume. Different schools have different ways of doing it, but many of these schools allow non-graduates and non-students to post their resume as well.
Go overseas
There are many opportunities overseas for those who are willing to go. Although you may not think of yourself as an English teacher, there are many opportunities for English teachers–as long as you speak English–in places like China and other Asian or Southeast Asian countries. Many of these opportunities are not overtly ministry positions (as in the case of China), but they do offer an opportunity to go abroad, engage in world evangelism, and have a ministry position. Other opportunities, whether helping at an orphanage, assisting a mission clinic, teaching missionary kids, or serving as a missionary yourself, are available all over the world.
Final words
The most important thing you can be doing as you are looking for a new ministry is praying. Let your requests be made known to God. As you look for a position, beware of setting your standards too high. Looking for just the right area of the country, the best schools for your kids, or a more pleasant climate may be important features, but they are not as important as the ministry itself. Submit your preferences to God’s leading. He loves you, and He is all-wise, and all-powerful. Although the financial situation and your jobless situation may give you reason to despair, have faith in God’s loving sovereignty.
Sharefaith realizes the financial difficulties that churches face. That is why we offer a media solution that is ridiculously inexpensive. Churches need the invaluable resources provided by Sharefaith, and even though they look expensive, they’re not. Find out about being a part.