In August I mentioned that I had been fired over politics last May. My first thought when I was let go was that perhaps this was God’s nudge toward pursuing church planting more vigorously. My biggest concern was providing for my family.
In early June (about a week or so later), at our last Leadership Development Forum meeting I told the group I was unemployed but was struggling with pursuing employment versus pursuing church planting full time. My heart was not in the 9-to-5 world anymore – it had not been for some time. A job had long been a means to provide for my family rather than a source of fulfillment as it had been years ago.
Throughout June I sent out numerous resumes to a wide variety of businesses and positions as the mortgage industry continues to sour. I had three interviews. Out of dozens of resumes, I had three interviews. One interview should not count as it turned out to be with some sleazy, two-bit collections company that admittedly employs illegal tactics to collect on delinquent accounts (the interviewer bragged about it during the interview; it was bizarre). I walked out of the interview. So I had two legitimate interviews. The first interview was with a very large financial services company. I could be working there now had I accepted the position. The problem is I am quite sure my future involves church planting. I can only imagine asking potential clients to allow me to aid them with their financial futures…for the next couple years. Good ethics demands that one offering long-term financial services intends to be in the financial services field long-term. I had no such intention so I declined the job. I also had no real desire for that type of work, especially since it was 100% commission.
The other interview I had was with a successful janitorial services company that was creating a new Director of Operations position. The requirements of the job appealed to me and would utilize my skills and experience directly. The interview went well. I was told I would either receive a letter saying, “Thanks, but no thanks” or a telephone call requesting a second interview. I was assured to receive one or the other within a week. A week later I sent an email to the interviewer to point out I had received neither. I have yet to receive a response.
That was the last response I received to a resume.
In July my pastor mentioned to me after service one Sunday that he wanted to talk to me about church planting. When I met with him in late July he told me that when he heard (in early June at the LDF meeting) that I was unemployed, his first thought was, “Here is a guy who wants to plant a church and is no longer burdened with a job.” He thought that perhaps the church could help me somehow.
After several more weeks of no response to resumes (during which time I could not bear to send any more as my heart was sold on working at my church), I met with one of my pastors who told me the church wanted to bring me on staff as an intern. Four months after losing a job, I have a new one: Pastoral Intern.
As part of my responsibilties, I have to record my journey as an intern. I will blog it. starting this afternoon.
* * *