Comments on: The Plague: Confusing Career and Calling http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/ The online connection to Clayton King Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:40:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Josh Wyatt http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-1112 Josh Wyatt Sat, 03 May 2008 03:18:50 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-1112 Clayton Let me, first off, say that I was blown away when you spoke at Washington Avenue Church. I am the sound tech there (sorry for the mic noise). I was moved buy this story when you told it in your sermon and moved a second time while reading it in your blog. I have been wrestling with the notion that God is "CALLING" me to serve as the audio/IT/webdesigner/whatever else I can do, at WAC. As you stated in your sermon Chuck Bridges is an awesome, unselfish and very humble Man of God. Chris Lewis, who is a long time friend, has, especially lately, been a huge momentum in my walk with Christ. My problem is that it is taking a toll on my family and other "paying" career's. Basically I want to be able to focus all my energy toward the church and helping it in any way I can. So to make a long story short Chuck asked me the other day, as he does all of his staff: Would you be here even if you weren't being paid? My answer was "I am here now and I am not being paid so, Yes." My problem is that Chuck, Chris and myself have discussed that as we grow there will become opportunity to hire someone in my position and make them a paid staff member and in the back of my head, although I am here to serve God paid or not, I am looking toward that point a little more than I think I should. Is it bad I am thinking that way? I whole heartedly believe that WAC is going to do great things and want to be apart of it whether I am paid or not but I feel like the "Career" part is driving a little to much when I think the "God" part should be 100%. PS That day my wife was running late and missed the initial offering. As they passed the bags around for your love offering she put what she was going to put in the initial offering into yours then turned to me and noded. Not realizing that she meant to tell me she put the money in I proceeded to put more in thinking her nod was to tell me to put some into your ministry. Needless to say we were presently surprised afterword when we finally cleared up our nods. We are truly happy that God stepped in to LET us give more than we would have toward your ministry. Good Luck and many blessings to you and your family. Josh Wyatt Clayton
Let me, first off, say that I was blown away when you spoke at Washington Avenue Church. I am the sound tech there (sorry for the mic noise). I was moved buy this story when you told it in your sermon and moved a second time while reading it in your blog. I have been wrestling with the notion that God is “CALLING” me to serve as the audio/IT/webdesigner/whatever else I can do, at WAC.

As you stated in your sermon Chuck Bridges is an awesome, unselfish and very humble Man of God. Chris Lewis, who is a long time friend, has, especially lately, been a huge momentum in my walk with Christ. My problem is that it is taking a toll on my family and other “paying” career’s. Basically I want to be able to focus all my energy toward the church and helping it in any way I can.

So to make a long story short Chuck asked me the other day, as he does all of his staff: Would you be here even if you weren’t being paid? My answer was “I am here now and I am not being paid so, Yes.” My problem is that Chuck, Chris and myself have discussed that as we grow there will become opportunity to hire someone in my position and make them a paid staff member and in the back of my head, although I am here to serve God paid or not, I am looking toward that point a little more than I think I should.

Is it bad I am thinking that way?

I whole heartedly believe that WAC is going to do great things and want to be apart of it whether I am paid or not but I feel like the “Career” part is driving a little to much when I think the “God” part should be 100%.

PS
That day my wife was running late and missed the initial offering. As they passed the bags around for your love offering she put what she was going to put in the initial offering into yours then turned to me and noded. Not realizing that she meant to tell me she put the money in I proceeded to put more in thinking her nod was to tell me to put some into your ministry. Needless to say we were presently surprised afterword when we finally cleared up our nods. We are truly happy that God stepped in to LET us give more than we would have toward your ministry. Good Luck and many blessings to you and your family.

Josh Wyatt

]]> By: The Marshian Chronicles » Short Rounds #87 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-997 The Marshian Chronicles » Short Rounds #87 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:02:35 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-997 [...] From Clayton King - The Plague, Confusing Career and Calling - very need thoughts on this one, particularly for younger [...] [...] From Clayton King - The Plague, Confusing Career and Calling - very need thoughts on this one, particularly for younger [...]

]]> By: Joe Louthan http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-920 Joe Louthan Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:19:02 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-920 Man, I thought being a pastor would be above all that "bigger paycheck, grass greener" mentality. See how naïve I am. I have learned on thing from God is that you are going to have a wealth of opportunities and will have to make a decision. But I am obedient to God then God speaks to me and He tells me which one I should take. I hope I never forget this lesson. Life is great since God is in complete control. I just have to remember and keep people near me who also remember how much life sucked when I wasn't listening to God. Thank you, Clayton. From the bottom of my heart, thanks. Man, I thought being a pastor would be above all that “bigger paycheck, grass greener” mentality.

See how naïve I am.

I have learned on thing from God is that you are going to have a wealth of opportunities and will have to make a decision. But I am obedient to God then God speaks to me and He tells me which one I should take.

I hope I never forget this lesson. Life is great since God is in complete control. I just have to remember and keep people near me who also remember how much life sucked when I wasn’t listening to God.

Thank you, Clayton. From the bottom of my heart, thanks.

]]> By: admin http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-918 admin Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:35:52 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-918 In response to your ?, Joe, I am referring to a mentality that I often see among some pastors that plays out like this...We are tempted to look at other bigger, more successful churches with bigger salary packages, easier work load, more vacation time, etc., and we secretly begin to desire that position of prominence. Instead of taking a calling as pastor to a small church with the mindset that we will stay there until God moves us, we secretly lust after the bigger position with all the benefits, and cannot focus on the ministry we are in for being obsessed with the church we eventually want to be at. Does that make sense? Here is an example; I had pastor tell me when I was a Freshman in college, "I will probably stay here at this church for about another year, then send out resume's to some bigger churches, and within 3 years, I will be pastoring a church of at least 3,000 members, or I will just try something else." I would hate to be a member at the church he was currently serving at, because obviously, his heart was not in it. Understand...God calls some men to pastor those kinds of churches, many of them my closest friends (Steven Furtick, Perry Noble, JD Greear). But unless God equips and gifts one to work in that kind of church, then one should not be jealous or ambitious for it (in other words, what if you were not cut out to advance your pastoral career to mega-church status?) My point was in the context of being faithful and practicing excellence where God places you, instead of using your place of ministry as a stepping stone to a "better" one or simply to advance your "ministry career " to make a bigger paycheck. In response to your ?, Joe, I am referring to a mentality that I often see among some pastors that plays out like this…We are tempted to look at other bigger, more successful churches with bigger salary packages, easier work load, more vacation time, etc., and we secretly begin to desire that position of prominence. Instead of taking a calling as pastor to a small church with the mindset that we will stay there until God moves us, we secretly lust after the bigger position with all the benefits, and cannot focus on the ministry we are in for being obsessed with the church we eventually want to be at. Does that make sense? Here is an example; I had pastor tell me when I was a Freshman in college, “I will probably stay here at this church for about another year, then send out resume’s to some bigger churches, and within 3 years, I will be pastoring a church of at least 3,000 members, or I will just try something else.” I would hate to be a member at the church he was currently serving at, because obviously, his heart was not in it.

Understand…God calls some men to pastor those kinds of churches, many of them my closest friends (Steven Furtick, Perry Noble, JD Greear). But unless God equips and gifts one to work in that kind of church, then one should not be jealous or ambitious for it (in other words, what if you were not cut out to advance your pastoral career to mega-church status?)

My point was in the context of being faithful and practicing excellence where God places you, instead of using your place of ministry as a stepping stone to a “better” one or simply to advance your “ministry career ” to make a bigger paycheck.

]]> By: lance ratliff http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-917 lance ratliff Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:15:55 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-917 Wow great post! Wow great post!

]]> By: Joe Louthan http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-915 Joe Louthan Mon, 21 Apr 2008 06:25:46 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-915 Clayton, Could you explain something to me on point #2? What is 'career advancement' in terms of being a pastor? If God speaks for you and you delivered a message to what the people need and have to hear. They reject you (point at insert-random-prophet-here) and you are ousted. But God is your provider and deliverer. You were obedient and therefore He will take care of you. God promises so in the His Word. So, how can you advance your career in pastoring/teaching/apostle/prophecy/evangelist? Signed, Naive Clayton,

Could you explain something to me on point #2?

What is ‘career advancement’ in terms of being a pastor?

If God speaks for you and you delivered a message to what the people need and have to hear. They reject you (point at insert-random-prophet-here) and you are ousted.

But God is your provider and deliverer. You were obedient and therefore He will take care of you. God promises so in the His Word.

So, how can you advance your career in pastoring/teaching/apostle/prophecy/evangelist?

Signed,

Naive

]]> By: Bryan Tang http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-914 Bryan Tang Sun, 20 Apr 2008 13:58:42 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-914 I am still quite new here and i do not know how things work out here just yet. A Malaysian boy. I just really want to make sure whether is this my calling or just me wanting to be in full time ministry. Sometimes, I wish i can be in full time when i grow up next time, but i don't want to be in if it isn't God's will for me. I know that there'll probably persecution and resistance when we try to follow God. I don't like to see Christians not cherishing the Lord and really really have Him as their Lord, and not JUST a Saviour. I felt heart-broken sometimes when i see people who are just blinded and do not know the truth. I want to be someone that could lead these people to God, to be on fire for Him. Because i know that the only way that our souls can be satisfied is when we give ourselves to Him and also when He is glorified in us. There are alot of things in my heart but i know i can't just write it all down here. So, I just hope that God will help me to make it clearer for through here or something. AND So sorry if this is the wrong place to post this. but i just do not know where to post this.......... I am still quite new here and i do not know how things work out here just yet. A Malaysian boy. I just really want to make sure whether is this my calling or just me wanting to be in full time ministry.

Sometimes, I wish i can be in full time when i grow up next time, but i don’t want to be in if it isn’t God’s will for me. I know that there’ll probably persecution and resistance when we try to follow God.

I don’t like to see Christians not cherishing the Lord and really really have Him as their Lord, and not JUST a Saviour. I felt heart-broken sometimes when i see people who are just blinded and do not know the truth. I want to be someone that could lead these people to God, to be on fire for Him. Because i know that the only way that our souls can be satisfied is when we give ourselves to Him and also when He is glorified in us.

There are alot of things in my heart but i know i can’t just write it all down here. So, I just hope that God will help me to make it clearer for through here or something.

AND So sorry if this is the wrong place to post this. but i just do not know where to post this……….

]]> By: Sara Touchet http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-905 Sara Touchet Sat, 19 Apr 2008 23:12:17 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-905 Amen! Shelby, it was really nice to meet you. Amen! Shelby, it was really nice to meet you.

]]> By: Mike Van Buskirk http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-904 Mike Van Buskirk Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:58:36 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-904 amen amen

]]> By: Mike Van Buskirk http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-903 Mike Van Buskirk Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:52:54 +0000 http://claytonking.com/the-plague-confusing-career-and-calling/#comment-903 Amen! Amen!

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