Change Careers With Purpose

by Chaplain Paul Slater

Career Change for Pastors

I recently received this inquiry regarding what I thought a person who has served in a parish centered ministry could do other than a local church pastorate.

He asked “What other careers besides chaplaincy can clergy pursue outside of the local church?”.

I wrote back and shared some concepts on changing careers for pastors.

Changing Careers For Pastors

In my opinion, any and all careers, are an option for clergy. If it isn’t illegal or immoral, any career choice can me a ministry opportunity as it provides financial support for one’s needs.

The Bi-vocational Pastor Approach

When I was Faith Coordinator for the County of San Diego a few years back, I was surprised at the number of pastors who worked in various positions for the County. I other words, they were both county employees and local church pastors.

• Most were bi-vocational pastors because their churches could not pay a living wage.


• Several were already employed by the county as administrators, attorneys, social workers, and the senior pastor of the church they attended left.


• So it was either close the church or become pastor, doing so because
  

  they had a good income and good benefits to provide their financial needs.

Ministry Careers Beyond the Church Walls

You can teach, start a business, sell real estate, or be a tent maker. My ministry opportunities soared once I was employed outside the local church.

Working for a Christian Internet Company was my first job assignment after leaving my pastoral position. What I first noticed in my career change was that I had more opportunities for impacting lives outside the church than inside.

Anyone Can Have A Spiritual Impact Through Any Career Choice

Personal relationships are the conduit for ministry. Thus the personal contacts one has as an insurance agent, school bus driver, or classroom teacher are avenues for God’s grace.

For example, as a webmaster of my own internet based small business, I minster to thousands each month. I even make a income off advertising, for the time being, enough to support what I call my website habit. But my goal is to quit my day job once I have enough income from my Internet ventures.

Focus On Defining Your Purpose

How you put your purpose into practice is the key to impacting your world through your chosen career.

Of course, I still have people who say I left the ministry because their concept of ministry is confined to a local church or denomination.

But I have never been more fulfilled in ministry than I am now — or fruitful.

Onward with purpose,

Chaplain Paul Slater

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Helping People Be All They Can Be By The Grace of God