My friend, Leonard Sweet, once noted that 79% of all Yale ministry graduates from 1702-1779 served one congregation all of their lives. The statistics highlights an earlier era where people served in the same ministry or job for their entire life.
This was not only true of ministers but people of many vocations.
Today, we live in a world where people are constantly switching jobs.
I’ve read that the average amount of time a twentysomething spends at a particular workplace has been halved from 2.2 years in the 1980’s to less than 1.1 years today. This is true in every sector of the workplace–and those in ministry are not immune.
The Lord leads. The Lord guides. The Lord redirections. We move. We grow. We change. Doors open. Doors shut. Transition is no longer the exception as much as much a quiet expectation. I recently enjoyed lunch with a woman who had served a ministry for more than two and half decades. She was now helping lead the organization but had this sense that God was going to move her on. She learned to hold the position and job with an open hand.
I think that’s wisdom. In the midst of so much transition in our world and culture, we must hold whatever job title, role, and employer we are given with an open hand.
But I also think it’s important to broaden our understanding of what we do–whether it’s in ministry, the workplace, or our families.
My best friend, Leif, has held a laundry list of jobs ranging from working at a customer service call center to serving as a youth pastor to working at the Transportation Security Administration. On one hand, the jobs couldn’t be more different. On the other, they all held something in common: in each role, Leif managed other people. Even now, as we work together-he’s still managing people (even if some days it’s only me–and, yes, for the record, he says I’m a handful!).
So maybe in the 1700’s people served a single congregations. Today, many people are still single focused-working in ministry, the arts, engineering, management, etc…–and it’s just that the definition of what we do has broadened.
How single focused are you?
I think there’s a difference between a career and a calling. If we make sure we’re always following our calling, the jobs we have along the way will be fulfilling.
Rachel–oh so true! Good point.
Margaret,
I have to say I love your fresh approach to your books. I have read Organic God, and was just given The Sacred Echo. My husband and I are in the in-between time again. It truly is a place where you are totally focused on hearing God’s voice, earnestly seeking his direction for the next step in the life long journey of following after God.
I can completely relate to the progression of your prayer life, and I think I might try your approach. Something has to work better than the arrow prayers I send up regularly as they come to mind. (Although, I often feel like the Spirit is leading those thoughts, and when I am obedient amazing things happen) Keep writing. If you are ever in Michigan, I would love to hear you speak.
Laurie,
Thanks for your kind words–that means a lot!
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment.
I do think that you ought to write more about this subject matter,
it might not be a taboo matter but generally people don’t discuss such topics.
To the next! Kind regards!!