need some input

SpiritledWoman · Status: Offline

need some input

Deanna · Status: Offline

SpiritLed,

Of course I remember you! I will be glad to e-mail you my brochure. Please e-mail me @ PastorDeanna@aol.com. I'm not sure that I have your current e-mail address. Also, what is the link to your church website? I may have just missed it...

Are you making enough through Premier Designs that you could earn 1/2 your income through that, and then make the other half up in speaking dates? I know it's not easy and you do not want to take precious time away from the ministry. If you end up getting something besides P.D. and speaking I would recommend something where you can work from home with flex time, maybe on the computer, so you can still be available for church things, and flexible to attend all district/section events plus travel when you need to, in speaking. I know that will take some doing to find but there are more jobs like that all the time as more people are demanding them.

I'll be praying however for you to be able to bring in your sole income through ministry - I know that's your heart.

Love you,

Deanna

SpiritledWoman · Status: Offline

Deanna,

Thanks for the quick response. I emailed you. Our website is stlinternational.org

LadyT · Status: Offline

Spiritled,

I checked out your website. I like it. I noticed that we have the same last name. Do you think that we could be cousins?

I will be sure to pray for you, your dh, and your ministry. I was just listening to a song this morning entitled He Covers Me. Part of the lyrics are, "What God ordains, He will sustain." I am thankful that this is so true.

Lady T

Proverbs 3:4-6

FLOW_RCTB · Status: Offline

Blessings be upon you and your ministry! I understand your frustration - wanting to be more active in ministry and doing what you are called and ordained to do while looking at the practical and physical needs of your household. For me working outside of the church is a stressful stress reliever... Yes I know that I said stressful and stress reliever in the same sentence - because it actually is both... The time that I spend away from my church and my ministerial duties helps me to have the balance that I need in order to appreciate more the precious moments of ministry that I do get...

I would love to have the luxury (or duty) of staying at home, however my family has chosen to live at a level that requires two incomes. We could have chosen smaller and less expensive homes, but this is the lot that we chose and so we pay... I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go!

What does your husband say about you going to work. I take it from your posting that you have not been... What is the ministry climate where you are? How about working part-time?

I have always been upfront with my employers so when I take a job they realize that I have ministry obligations that may take me out of the office from time to time so there is no "conflict" when this occurs.

As it relates to ministry opportunities - I can honestly say more doors have opened for me from interactions with my co-workers than from my association. The Bible is clear - Your gift will make room for you....

I will try and find my old brochures - email me your contact info - flow_rctb@excite.com

Peace and blessings!

Deanna · Status: Offline

Flow said..."As it relates to ministry opportunities - I can honestly say more doors have opened for me from interactions with my co-workers than from my association. The Bible is clear - Your gift will make room for you.... "

I think this is a good point. Especially with you pastoring a church plant -- this could open countless connections for you in the community. I think personally it would be ideal for you to work PT - something VERY flexible that will allow you off for minister's meetings, speaking engagements, etc. Then, with the rest of the income you need -- take speaking engagements. Still do your brochures, etc. ---get your name out there...but take something else low key, PT. Who knows, you may be able to bring in some really incredible people into your church and influence a lot of people for the Lord. Of course getting involved in P.D. again in your new location could do the same thing for you........so that's an option.

I know this is a difficult thing because you so want to invest ALL your energy into the church plant, but keep in mind as Flow says you could actually be doing that by working in the secular marketplace.

Just a thought...btw, I e-mailed you my brochure.

Love,

moi

LW · Status: Offline

Hi! I am Lw, nice to meet you Spiritled!

Due to a work injury on the job as a nurse a couple of years ago, I have not been working. Recently, I have felt a leading to return. But not like before. My ministry has grown and I can't do anything that would get in the way of it or my homeschooling. So instead of working at a stationary facility, I am going to work through an agency, on a casual basis. This way, I am free to work on my book, and give talks too. I will take only jobs that require very little physical labor, so as not to further aggrivate my injuries, like a mother/baby unit(post-partum). It pays well for very few hours and is not very demanding.

I do not know what your skills are. A church planter requires MANY!!!!!!!!! But there should be something low key you can do to allow you time to give talks and other things through ministry as I have been able to do.

I am not AG, but I am speaking at an AG church this Sunday. I am really looking forward to it. I hope you find something soon that suits your needs and those of your important ministry. God Bless! lw

LW · Status: Offline

OOhhh! I just had a thought! I know I am always thinking of things in a medical way, occupational hazard. But here it is!

A nurse aid training course in most states is only a few weeks long. Then, you can work through an agency like I do on a casual basis or PRN or part time! It pays more than working at one facility. It is hard work, but a real opportunity to minister to others, and very satisfying! Perhaps this is something you can try. Let me know if you have any questions! lw

puppetmaster · Status: Offline

Hey, SpiritLed!

DH and I are in a similar situation - when he lost his job last August, he really felt like he was supposed to devote his time to really getting our community theatre group up and running (which is a ministry in itself!) and working on our ministry at church, rather than take another full time corporate job.

One thing he did to help supplement our income was to contact the area Park Board and Neighborhood Services and offered his help with the after-school programs. He has been going in and teaching kids different theatre-related topics (mask-making, storytelling, illusion, etc). If you have a skill that you could share with others in your community, find out who in your area you would talk to, set your price, and offer to teach a class or two. If you don't particularly like working with kids, there are usually community programs for adults (crafts, first aid, etc.) that they need people to teach. Today, just because DH was in the right place at the right time, he's being paid to go ice skating (with a bunch of kids) for three hours - something he grew up doing and absolutely loves [and I don't do with him because I have absolutely no center of gravity and spend most of my time falling instead of skating].

Above all, remember that God has placed you where you are for a reason and He will find ways to take care of you!

SpiritledWoman · Status: Offline

Thank you all for your encouragement and input of ideas. I am very at peace with the way God is faithfuly leading. Yesterday I went to Kinko's to run copies for my PD show and a lady started talking to me who is a minister at a church nearby. She asked for my ministry information and gave me hers and I am going to call her today. My show also went well last night and I am continuing to pray for the open doors and directions. I will definitely let you know what happens!

Blessings!