In 2nd Kings and 2nd Chronicles there is an account of the nation of Judah returning to Jehovah God. King Josiah directs that the temple should be repaired. In the process of starting the renovation, Hilkiah, the priest, finds the Book of the Law. While the Biblical account doesn't say that the priest reads some or all of the book, the implication is that they are so stunned by what is written there that they immediately take the Book of the Law to the king. In 2nd Kings 22, the book is read to king Josiah. He is so distressed by what he hears that the scripture says he tore his robes. Eventually the king has the book read to all the people.
In chapter 23 there is an account of the sweeping reforms that the king makes as he brings the people out of generations of idolatry and back to God. With my current mindset of looking for a job, as I read these passages, the idea of layoffs came to mind. First he did away with the pagan priests, he tore down the living quarters of the male shrine prostitutes (and put them out of business), and he put the women weavers out of business. (they weaved material for the idol Asherah) Josiah put the priests out of business that burned incense, fired the staff of the idol gates at the entrances to the cities and then he fired all the mediums and spiritists in the land. As I thought about this account, when you consider that this was nation wide, it meant that at the least many hundreds lost their jobs and actually it was probably thousands.
The end result of this massive layoff was a revival in Judah. Chapter 23 of 2 Kings has the account of the celebration of Passover in Jerusalem. Probably the first time in at least 200 years, and Passover had not been celebrated this way since the days of the prophet Samuel.
Our country is possibly on the brink of financial disaster, as is most of the world. A financial collapse in the U.S. would have wide reaching repercussions in the rest of the world financial markets. We truly need a return to Jehovah God in our country. In the midst of widespread fear and anxiety, we have an answer that we must find a way to communicate to a needy country. We must offer spiritual and Biblical answers to the present environment of uncertainty. Layoffs can be good...particularly when it drives us back to God.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Looking For A Job In the Summer of 2011
This is my first blog post since June 29th. Kathy and I have been very busy getting our home ready to sell. We finally finished all the big items a week ago and this is the first week our house has been listed with a realtor. Finally some breathing room. If you are interested in seeing pictures and all the details, go to www.realtor.com and do a search on 433 Melanie Meadows Lane, Ballwin, MO 63021.
I sent my first resume at the end of May. To date I have sent 49 resumes, mostly to churches and ministries looking for a Church Administrator. I have another church to send a resume to tomorrow, so it will be an even 50. Here are some things I have learned over the past two months.
1) It is going to be difficult to be a full time Minister of Music/Worship Pastor again. No one is looking for anyone that isn't 40 or younger. I friend of mine who helps churches find senior pastors and staff pastors was kind enough to tell me in a recent face-to-face conversation, "forget about music, concentrate on Church Administration. However, the right church and right situation are not out of the question. If God has picked a place for me to be a MofM, I'm ready.
2) There are a lot of former church pastors and support staff members looking for positions. 3 years ago a church would get 4-5 resumes and applications for open positions. I have talked with several pastors and staff members where I have submitted a resume to find that churches are receiving 15 or more resumes for smaller churches, (300 in attendance and under) and up to 100 resumes for larger churches.
3) It is taking church employees anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to get settled in a new position. Younger people are on the shorter side, older people are on the longer end. Unfortunately, I'm on the older end. (We're also trying to sell our house in the worst housing market since the 20s)
4) Salaries are lower than 3 years ago. While churches are filling positions for staff they really need, they are very conservative in salary and benefits spending.
I have had periods of real anxiety, bordering on panic. We have 3 teenagers at home and from our experience with our first set of teenagers, we are in the most expensive part of their lives. 3 teenage drivers is a killer for auto insurance, for instance. However, here are some positive things I have experienced;
I can't tell you how many times my devotional Bible reading for the day has had incredibly encouraging words right from Scripture. Our friends have been very encouraging, and we have had lunches and dinners with many of them. We have friends going to church with us, and all the cards and phone calls have been great. I believe that God has assured me that He knows exactly where we are at, what we need and there is a divine plan in place. We aren't too picky about where we live or what denomination we work in. Our only real desire is to know what we are doing before our high school students need to start school.
So what is the bottom line? Jeremiah 29:11-12 I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. (the Message)
If you think about it, breathe a prayer for us. I promise I'll blog more often and let you know what is happening. Okay, time to work on number 50.
I sent my first resume at the end of May. To date I have sent 49 resumes, mostly to churches and ministries looking for a Church Administrator. I have another church to send a resume to tomorrow, so it will be an even 50. Here are some things I have learned over the past two months.
1) It is going to be difficult to be a full time Minister of Music/Worship Pastor again. No one is looking for anyone that isn't 40 or younger. I friend of mine who helps churches find senior pastors and staff pastors was kind enough to tell me in a recent face-to-face conversation, "forget about music, concentrate on Church Administration. However, the right church and right situation are not out of the question. If God has picked a place for me to be a MofM, I'm ready.
2) There are a lot of former church pastors and support staff members looking for positions. 3 years ago a church would get 4-5 resumes and applications for open positions. I have talked with several pastors and staff members where I have submitted a resume to find that churches are receiving 15 or more resumes for smaller churches, (300 in attendance and under) and up to 100 resumes for larger churches.
3) It is taking church employees anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to get settled in a new position. Younger people are on the shorter side, older people are on the longer end. Unfortunately, I'm on the older end. (We're also trying to sell our house in the worst housing market since the 20s)
4) Salaries are lower than 3 years ago. While churches are filling positions for staff they really need, they are very conservative in salary and benefits spending.
I have had periods of real anxiety, bordering on panic. We have 3 teenagers at home and from our experience with our first set of teenagers, we are in the most expensive part of their lives. 3 teenage drivers is a killer for auto insurance, for instance. However, here are some positive things I have experienced;
I can't tell you how many times my devotional Bible reading for the day has had incredibly encouraging words right from Scripture. Our friends have been very encouraging, and we have had lunches and dinners with many of them. We have friends going to church with us, and all the cards and phone calls have been great. I believe that God has assured me that He knows exactly where we are at, what we need and there is a divine plan in place. We aren't too picky about where we live or what denomination we work in. Our only real desire is to know what we are doing before our high school students need to start school.
So what is the bottom line? Jeremiah 29:11-12 I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. (the Message)
If you think about it, breathe a prayer for us. I promise I'll blog more often and let you know what is happening. Okay, time to work on number 50.
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