Comments on: Listening to God for Our Next Steps http://www.streettotheseat.com/2009/09/23/listening-to-god-for-our-next-steps/ architecting first impressions today for tomorrows encounter Sun, 11 Sep 2011 08:23:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Ellis Hayden http://www.streettotheseat.com/2009/09/23/listening-to-god-for-our-next-steps/#comment-411 Ellis Hayden Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:57:28 +0000 http://www.streettotheseat.com/?p=529#comment-411 Since resigning from my last assignment, I was faced with the first time in 30 years that I was not on a church staff. My resignation was my choice, but it came because I realized I couldn't lead a congregation that refused to follow. That manifested itself when a group within the church presented a petition seeking my resignation, because they believed it was "time for a change." (This was not the first time this congregation did this) I chose to resign rather than cause the church to go through a battle of defending or attacking me. There was immediate relief from the pressure of the responsibility, conflict management, and frustration. There was anger, because though others were dictating that my ministry was over there, I believed my ministry was successful. I had invested 11 years in that church and community, endured major challenges, there was evidence of God's working, yet there were those who contended that it was a "time for a change." There was anxiety, because I wasn't sure what the next step would be. There was concern about financial security, concern about being "damaged goods" and how to enter the "job field" again from the sidelines. Add to that the concern for my wife and family, plus friends and followers who were struggling with this seemed to add to the burden. It's here where I re-learned that you have to practice what you preach. We talk about "trusting the Lord with all our heart," but when you have financial, occupational, and relational security, that often masks a "false" security system. In the past four months, I have watched as God has provided ministry opportunities, met financial needs, and have watched myself, my wife and family grow in their faith. As difficult as the journey has been, I have found that was part of the preparation process for His next assignment for me. I once heard it said, "The past is but a prologue to the present. Our future is as bright as our faith in God." I have found what many in the Scriptures discovered, that it is only when you are totally dependent on God, that you truly know what it means to trust in Him. I would advise all who are on this type of journey to do these things that have been helpful to me... 1. Get into God's word and allow God to speak to you. I camped out at Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 40, and Lamentation 3:22-25, for weeks. 2. Seek out your godly friends for encouragement and guidance. Be honest and let them minister to you. 3. Keep your ministry alive by leading a home Bible study, make yourself available to preach or teach, and continue minister to people. 4. If you have to seek secular employment, view it as an opportunity to enter a new mission field rather than just a job that will pay the bills. 5. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5-6) Taking the next step, Ellis Hayden Since resigning from my last assignment, I was faced with the first time in 30 years that I was not on a church staff. My resignation was my choice, but it came because I realized I couldn’t lead a congregation that refused to follow. That manifested itself when a group within the church presented a petition seeking my resignation, because they believed it was “time for a change.” (This was not the first time this congregation did this) I chose to resign rather than cause the church to go through a battle of defending or attacking me.
There was immediate relief from the pressure of the responsibility, conflict management, and frustration. There was anger, because though others were dictating that my ministry was over there, I believed my ministry was successful. I had invested 11 years in that church and community, endured major challenges, there was evidence of God’s working, yet there were those who contended that it was a “time for a change.” There was anxiety, because I wasn’t sure what the next step would be. There was concern about financial security, concern about being “damaged goods” and how to enter the “job field” again from the sidelines. Add to that the concern for my wife and family, plus friends and followers who were struggling with this seemed to add to the burden.
It’s here where I re-learned that you have to practice what you preach. We talk about “trusting the Lord with all our heart,” but when you have financial, occupational, and relational security, that often masks a “false” security system.
In the past four months, I have watched as God has provided ministry opportunities, met financial needs, and have watched myself, my wife and family grow in their faith. As difficult as the journey has been, I have found that was part of the preparation process for His next assignment for me.
I once heard it said, “The past is but a prologue to the present. Our future is as bright as our faith in God.” I have found what many in the Scriptures discovered, that it is only when you are totally dependent on God, that you truly know what it means to trust in Him.
I would advise all who are on this type of journey to do these things that have been helpful to me…
1. Get into God’s word and allow God to speak to you. I camped out at Jeremiah 29:11, Isaiah 40, and Lamentation 3:22-25, for weeks.
2. Seek out your godly friends for encouragement and guidance. Be honest and let them minister to you.
3. Keep your ministry alive by leading a home Bible study, make yourself available to preach or teach, and continue minister to people.
4. If you have to seek secular employment, view it as an opportunity to enter a new mission field rather than just a job that will pay the bills.
5. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Taking the next step, Ellis Hayden

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